As the season turns foliage into vibrant colors of red, yellow and orange, many Michiganders are planning fall color trips.
It’s still a bit early to see peak fall colors in Southeast Michigan. Fall colors are abundant in late September through the end of October. In Michigan, it’s the Upper Peninsula that gets to see the color change first.
To help travelers plan their trips for the best opportunity of catching peak color, there’s a 2025 Fall Foliage Prediction Map that shows the changing of the leaves.
Color tour routes
A quick online search will reveal websites with information from forecasts to popular routes. In Monroe County, Sterling State Park and the River Raisin National Battlefield Park offer tree-lined walking trails. Mid to late October will be the best time to view the fall scenery.
Popular routes in the Upper Peninsula begin mid-month, including Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Porcupine Mountains, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Brockway Mountain Drive.
In the northern Lower Peninsula, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Traverse City and Tunnel of Trees (M-119) top the list. Tunnel of Trees spans 22 miles in Harbor Springs with trees along Lake Michigan’s shoreline.
In the southern Lower Peninsula, Frankenmuth, Holland State Park and Huron River Drive in the Ann Arbor area are suggested travel routes.
Peak times
Upper Peninsula – Early October; Northern Lower Peninsula – Mid to late October; Southeast or mid Michigan – Early October Pure Michigan’s website offers a color map along with trip ideas.
So, why do leaves change color?
The fall leaf colors are caused by a combination of sunny days and cool nights, according to Julie Crick, natural resources educator for Michigan State University Extension. In cooler weather, as trees prepare for winter they do not produce as much chlorophyll, the pigment that makes them green. So, as the green diminishes, other colors, like red, yellow and orange, can be seen.
— Contact reporter Lisa Vidaurri-Bowling at lvidaurribowling@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Take a fall color tour in Michigan: When and where
Reporting by Lisa Vidaurri Bowling, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
