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Fall in Michigan is a season worth planning around. Colors charge down from the U.P., the air gets crisp, and every two-lane seems to lead to water. This guide collects twelve routes that deliver Michigan at its best in October. Each one includes a plain-English summary, a tight set of stops, and Detroit-friendly planning notes so families and savvy locals can turn a weekend into a memory.
This is Michigan, Facebook
1. M-22 around the Leelanau Peninsula
Primary anchor: Philip A. Hart Visitor Center | 9922 W Front St, Empire, MI 49630
Google Maps: see “M-22 loop” route
Website: M-22 Scenic Drive
Michigan’s most famous fall shoreline loop earns the hype with dune-top overlooks, historic harbors, and slow curves between vineyards and maples. The drive rewards patience and weekday timing, especially around Glen Arbor and Empire. Families can mix short walks with beach time and finish with a lighthouse or two. Think big water views, easy souvenirs, and leaf-peeping that photographs well even on cloudy days.
- Need-to-know: Start Empire or Frankfort, clockwise for easy right-side lake pull-offs, 3–5 hours plus stops, mid-Oct color, park pass required inside Sleeping Bear Dunes.
- Signature stops: Empire Bluff Trail, Lake Michigan Overlook on Pierce Stocking, Glen Haven Historic Village, Leland’s Fishtown, Grand Traverse Lighthouse at Leelanau State Park.
- From Detroit: 4 hr 15 min to Empire if you leave by 6 a.m., coffee and fuel in Cadillac or Traverse City.
- Family tips: Dune Climb has bathrooms and a huge picnic area, Fishtown boardwalk is stroller friendly.
- Crowd-avoidance: Tuesday or Wednesday, sunrise at Pierce Stocking, late afternoons in Leland.
- Safety and seasonality: Strong west winds make overlooks chilly, verify NPS closures and construction before you go.
2. H-58 through Pictured Rocks, Grand Marais to Munising
Primary anchors: Grand Sable Visitor Center | E21090 County Rd H-58; Munising Falls Visitor Center, 1505 Sand Point Rd, Munising, MI 49862
Google Maps: “H-58 Grand Marais to Munising”
Website: Fifty Miles of Heaven - H-58
A curvy ribbon through hardwoods and dunes with constant Lake Superior energy and short detours to waterfalls. The road is fully paved and easy to drive, with trailheads never far from the shoulder. Expect color to pop earlier here than downstate, which makes this a smart early-October strike. Pack layers and a thermos, then give yourself time to pull over often.
- Need-to-know: 50 miles, drive east to west for views, early to mid Oct color, park pass needed for certain lots.
- Signature stops: Log Slide Overlook, Sable Falls, Au Sable Light Station trail, Miners Castle, Munising Falls.
- From Detroit: 6 hr 45 min to Munising with a quick food stop in St. Ignace or Manistique.
- Family tips: Munising Falls is a paved, short walk with bathrooms.
- Crowd-avoidance: Hit trailheads by 9 a.m., cruise between noon and 3 p.m.
- Safety and seasonality: Superior fog rolls in fast, watch deer at dusk, confirm roadwork on H-58 after storms.
Planning a full weekend loop from Detroit? Explore our 15 Best Road Trips from Detroit for easy 2–3 day itineraries
3. M-119 Tunnel of Trees, Harbor Springs to Cross Village
Primary anchor: Harbor Springs Area Chamber | 118 E Main St, Harbor Springs, MI 49740
Google Maps: Harbor Springs to Cross Village via M-119
Website: Tunnel of Trees, M119
A narrow, shoulder-less coastal lane with a maple canopy, bluff peeks to Lake Michigan, and storybook small-town pauses. It is short, it is busy, and it is spectacular in mid October. Take it slow, pull off safely, and enjoy Good Hart and Cross Village rather than trying to rush.
- Need-to-know: 20 miles, 45–60 minutes without stops, mid Oct color, limited shoulders.
- Signature stops: Thorne Swift Nature Preserve, Five Mile Creek Schoolhouse, Devil’s Elbow, Good Hart General Store, Cross Village beach.
- From Detroit: 4 hr to Harbor Springs, early start avoids I-75 backups.
- Family tips: Thorne Swift has short loops and restrooms.
- Crowd-avoidance: Sunrise or after 4 p.m., midweek is best.
- Safety and seasonality: Expect cyclists and motorcycles, mind leaf-slick curves after rain.
4. US-23 Sunrise Coast Pure Michigan Byway, Standish to Mackinaw City
Primary anchor suggestion: Standish Historic Depot & Welcome Center | 107 N Main St, Standish, MI 48658
Google Maps: Standish to Mackinaw City via US-23
Website: Sunrise Coast Pure Michigan Byway
Michigan’s quiet east side rewards patient leaf peepers with long Lake Huron views, lighthouses, and low-stress driving. It runs about 200 miles from Standish to Mackinaw City, and it pairs beautifully with a color day on Oscoda’s River Road. Expect fewer crowds than the Lake Michigan side and easier waterfront pull-offs for photos.
- Need-to-know: 200 miles end to end, best run in sections over two days, mid to late Oct color.
- Signature stops: Tawas Point State Park and Lighthouse, Sturgeon Point Lighthouse, Negwegon State Park, Presque Isle twin lights, Cheboygan riverfront.
- From Detroit: 2 hr to Standish, good coffee and fuel in Bay City or Tawas.
- Family tips: Tawas Point has bathrooms and playground, many roadside parks between Oscoda and Alpena.
- Crowd-avoidance: Even weekends are manageable, but start early for empty beaches.
- Safety and seasonality: Watch for lake fog and strong crosswinds, check MDOT for shoreline work.
Oscoda Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Facebook
5. River Road National Scenic Byway, Oscoda area
Primary anchor: Lumberman’s Monument Visitor Center | 5401 Monument Rd, Oscoda, MI 48750
Google Maps: Oscoda to Foote Dam with overlook stops
Website: River Road Scenic Byway
A compact color showcase above the Au Sable River with paved overlooks, short trails, and lumbering history. The byway runs about 22 miles and is easy to cover in one unhurried afternoon. Pair it with a night on the Sunrise Coast or make it the highlight of a day trip from Detroit.
- Need-to-know: 22 miles, mid to late Oct color, most overlooks have vault toilets.
- Signature stops: Lumberman’s Monument, Highbanks Overlook, Iargo Springs, Foote Pond Overlook, Canoer’s Memorial.
- From Detroit: 3 hr 30 min, quick food stops in West Branch or Oscoda.
- Family tips: Boardwalk at Iargo Springs is scenic and manageable with older kids.
- Crowd-avoidance: Morning or late day, tour buses thin out by 3 p.m.
- Safety and seasonality: Boardwalks can be slick with leaves, check hunting dates if you wander off-trail.
6. Keweenaw loop via US-41 and M-26 with Brockway Mountain Drive
Primary anchor: Visit Keweenaw | 56638 Calumet Ave, Calumet, MI 49913
Google Maps: Calumet, Eagle Harbor, Copper Harbor, Brockway, Eagle River and Calumet
Website: Brockway Mountain Drive
A greatest-hits loop around the tip of the Keweenaw with Superior on both sides, a famed “covered drive” under maples on US-41, and a summit panorama from Brockway. Colors peak early up here, which makes it a strong late-September target. History, harbors, and dark-sky nights are bonuses if you stretch this into a long weekend.
- Need-to-know: 60–80 miles depending on detours, late Sep to early Oct color, pavement varies after frost heaves.
- Signature stops: Great Sand Bay, Eagle Harbor Lighthouse, Jampot and Jacob’s Falls pull-off, Brockway Mountain Drive overlooks, Copper Harbor shoreline.
- From Detroit: 9 hr to Calumet; plan food in Marquette or Baraga.
- Family tips: Short lighthouse climbs and rocky Superior beaches beat long hikes if kids are tired.
- Crowd-avoidance: Early mornings on Brockway are quiet and dramatic.
- Safety and seasonality: Wind at the summit is real, carry layers and watch for gravel on corners.
US-2 Top of the Lake Scenic Byway, Facebook
7. US-2 Top of the Lake Scenic Byway, St. Ignace to Manistique
Primary anchor suggestion: St. Ignace Welcome Center | I-75 N, Mackinac Bridge Plaza, St. Ignace, MI 49781
Google Maps: St. Ignace to Manistique via US-2
Website: Top of the Lake Scenic Byway – US 2
Easy shoreline miles with sand pull-offs, high bridges, and big-water blues on the U.P.’s southern edge. Expect steady color east of Naubinway and a beautiful stop at the Cut River Bridge. This pairs perfectly with H-58 the next day if you are building a Superior-heavy weekend.
- Need-to-know: 92–96 miles, early to mid Oct color, generous roadside parks.
- Signature stops: Cut River Bridge Roadside Park, Epoufette Bay overlook, Naubinway marina, Seul Choix Point Lighthouse side trip.
- From Detroit: ~4 hr to St. Ignace, continue west with picnic supplies from the Welcome Center area.
- Family tips: Frequent sand pull-offs for photo breaks and running around.
- Crowd-avoidance: Midweek is quiet; on sunny Saturdays stop early for the best beach lots.
- Safety and seasonality: Watch for crosswinds on exposed stretches, check for blowing sand near roadside parks.
8. Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, Sleeping Bear Dunes
Primary anchors: Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive entrance | 8500 Pierce Stocking Scenic Dr, Empire, MI 49630; Dune Climb, 6748 S Dune Hwy, Glen Arbor, MI 49636
Google Maps: Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
Website: Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
The highest view-to-mile ratio in the state. Twelve signed stops deliver Glen Lake blues and dune-top drama in a tight 7.4-mile loop. Arrive early for easy parking and to catch the soft light on Lake Michigan. Save the picnic for North Bar or the Dune Climb.
- Need-to-know: 7.4 miles, one-way loop, mid Oct color, park pass required.
- Signature stops: Covered Bridge, Glen Lake Overlook, Dune Overlook, Lake Michigan Overlook, North Bar Lake Overlook.
- From Detroit: 4 hr 15 min, run this after M-22 or as a stand-alone.
- Family tips: Dune Climb has bathrooms, snack kiosk in season.
- Crowd-avoidance: Gate opens in the morning; be there. Late afternoon works too.
- Safety and seasonality: Strong winds on the bluffs, stay within fenced areas.
Not sure whether to center your weekend on Pictured Rocks or Sleeping Bear? Read our head-to-head breakdown to pick the right lakeshore
M37, Facebook
9. Old Mission Peninsula via M-37 to Mission Point Lighthouse
Primary anchor: Mission Point Lighthouse | 20500 Center Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686
Google Maps: Traverse City to Mission Point Lighthouse
Website: Old Mission Peninsula via M-37
A narrow peninsula lined with orchards and vineyards, with water on both sides and a classic lighthouse at the 45th parallel. Views change every mile, from bay bluffs to protected coves. It is a shorter, softer drive that pairs well with Pierce Stocking on the same trip.
- Need-to-know: 18 miles one way, mid Oct color, township parks scattered along the route.
- Signature stops: Haserot Beach, Old Mission Peninsula Park, Pyatt Lake Nature Preserve, Mission Point Lighthouse grounds.
- From Detroit: 4 hr to Traverse City, plan lunch there before heading north.
- Family tips: Haserot Beach has calm water and bathrooms in season.
- Crowd-avoidance: Morning runs are quiet; afternoons see winery traffic.
- Safety and seasonality: Watch for cyclists and slow farm equipment on harvest days.
10. Black River National Forest Scenic Byway to Black River Harbor
Primary anchor: Black River Harbor Recreation Area | near CR-513, Ironwood, MI 49938
Google Maps: Bessemer to Black River Harbor
Website: Black River National Scenic Byway
Five named waterfalls in eleven miles and a suspension bridge over Superior at the finish. Short trails make this a perfect leaf-and-water combo. Surfaces can be wet with spray, so plan footwear and extra layers.
- Need-to-know: 11 miles, late Sep to early Oct color, parking at each falls.
- Signature stops: Great Conglomerate Falls, Potawatomi Falls, Gorge Falls, Sandstone Falls, Rainbow Falls, Black River Harbor bridge.
- From Detroit: 9 hr to the western U.P., best as part of a Keweenaw trip.
- Family tips: Potawatomi has one of the easier paths and viewing decks.
- Crowd-avoidance: Mornings are quiet; afternoons fill when weather is warm.
- Safety and seasonality: Watch slick boardwalks and roots, cell service is limited.
Upper Peninsula Travel, Facebook
11. Whitefish Bay National Forest Scenic Byway, Brimley toward Paradise
Primary anchor: Point Iroquois Lighthouse | 12942 W Lakeshore Dr, Brimley, MI 49715
Google Maps: Brimley State Park, Point Iroquois, toward M-123
Website: Whitefish Bay National Forest Scenic Byway
A quiet two-lane along birch and maple with sandy pull-offs and lighthouse history. The byway runs roughly 27 miles, and it feels wonderfully uncrowded even at peak color. Pair with Tahquamenon or the Shipwreck Museum if you are stretching the day.
- Need-to-know: 27 miles, early to mid Oct color, several small campgrounds and day-use sites.
- Signature stops: Point Iroquois Lighthouse, Monocle Lake, Bay View Campground picnic spots, Mission Hill overlook.
- From Detroit: 5 hr 30 min to Brimley, easy add-on to a US-2 or H-58 run.
- Family tips: Lighthouse grounds have space to roam and views into Canada.
- Crowd-avoidance: Very forgiving, even on weekends.
- Safety and seasonality: Narrow shoulders and lake fog, keep headlights on in low visibility.
12. Jordan River Valley color tour with Deadman’s Hill Overlook
Primary anchor: Deadman’s Hill Overlook | Deadmans Hill Rd, Elmira, MI 49730
Google Maps: Deadman’s Hill loop with Landslide Overlook
Website: Jordan River Valley
The Lower Peninsula’s best inland color vista, with rolling hardwoods and easy meanders around the valley. Mix a top-deck overlook with short roadside rambles or a bite in Boyne Country. It is a perfect Sunday drive that still feels wild.
- Need-to-know: 25–40 miles of backroads, mid to late Oct color, pit toilet at the overlook.
- Signature stops: Deadman’s Hill Overlook, Landslide Scenic Overlook, Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground area pull-offs.
- From Detroit: 3 hr 30 min, stack with M-119 or Old Mission across a weekend.
- Family tips: The top overlook is a short walk and packed with views.
- Crowd-avoidance: Early morning for parking, sunsets can be busy on bluebird days.
- Safety and seasonality: Gravel shoulders and leaf-slick switchbacks, mind posted speeds.
Rolling out from Metro Detroit? Add a quick cider-and-donut stop using our Ultimate Guide to Metro Detroit Cider Mills
Regional Color Timing Guide
- Western U.P. usually peaks late September to early October
- Central and eastern U.P. and the Tip of the Mitt early to mid October
- Most of the Lower Peninsula mid to late October
Weather steers timing by a week either way. Local CVBs, MDNR park pages, and byway groups publish useful weekly updates.
Every one of these drives is doable from Metro Detroit as a weekend loop. For a northbound greatest-hits plan, run US-2 on day one, H-58 on day two, then slide home along US-23 with a River Road detour. If you are staying downstate, string M-22, Pierce Stocking, Old Mission, and the Jordan River into a color-packed loop with short hikes and lighthouse stops. If you want help matching a route to a family schedule, school calendar, or weekend lodging, a local expert can map a clean two-day plan that suits your pace.
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