Best Fall Color Spots in the Great Lakes👀🚣

I’m still basking in the full glory of summer on the Great Lakes but part of me is itching for late September — cabin weekends, chilly dips in the lake, fall color, chai tea lattes, sweaters and shorts. It’s about time to start booking fall travel, and I honestly think September and October are the best time to be Up North.

Here’s a list of my favorite Fall adventures throughout the Great Lakes, curated by yours truly!

1. Backpack the Porcupine Mountains. If there’s one thing I can convince you to do, it’s head up north and tackle a fall backpacking trip in the Porcupine Mountains! Check out my short video on my recent trip here, and imagine it with moody fall colors :)

2. Camp on 12-Mile Beach in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. If you’re looking to camp on a beach, enjoy some of the prettiest coastal fall color between the coasts, and possibly catch the Northern Lights over Lake Superior, might I recommend 12-Mile Beach? Make a reservation here.

3. Take a Northern Wisconsin Fall Color Waterfall Road Trip. If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten path fall color adventure, I recommend diving into the waterfalls of Northern Wisconsin. Be sure to hit Copper Falls, Big and Little Manitou Falls, and Amnicon Falls.

   

4. Backpack the Apostle Islands Sea Caves. While most people opt to paddle the Apostle Islands, did you know there’s a backpack-in beach front campsite along the Mainland Sea Caves? Reservations are required, but a boat isn’t! This is a fairly beginner-friendly trek in to a lovely site.

5. Hike the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Hop in a car and drive the Pierce-Stocking Scenic Drive, then go hike the Alligator Hill Trail for sweeping views of Lake Michigan.

6. Explore the overlooks of the Superior Hiking Trail. Skip the popular Bean & Bear Overlook and check out some of the less popular (but just as beautiful) fall color hikes on the Superior Hiking Trail instead. I recommend Mount Trudee for a challenging long day, Fantasia Overlook for a moderate hike, and High Falls on the Baptism River paired with a hike out to Shovel Point for a “best of the North Shore” style adventure.

   

7. Hike and watch for moose up the Gunflint Trail. If you’re searching for wilderness, pack up a car and head north to the Minnesota-Canadian border. Up the Gunflint Trail, you can find sweeping lake overlooks, both very challenging hikes and shorter hikes and of course, drive safe and watch for wildlife!

8. Take a coastal trip to Traverse City. Last year, I took a really delightful fall trip to Traverse City, with the goal of both getting outside and appreciate fall color and spend some time in the city visiting bookstores and coffee shops. Traverse City is the perfect destination for anyone looking for a little of everything.

9. Sauna and hike. Nothing says the ‘ber months are back quite like a long hike followed by a sauna and dip in Lake Superior. Check out Sisu and Loyly in Grand Marias, Takka Superior in Copper Harbor, or Cedar and Stone in Duluth.

10. Visit a State Forest Campground in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Shhhh, don’t tell anyone, but pretty much every state forest campground in the Upper Peninsula is a hidden gem.

READ: Best Fall Color in Michigan

(Plus a look at my upcoming trip plans and dreams for this autumn!)

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