Michigan Fall Color 2017: Peak Viewing Times Approaching

It may be hard to believe, but the best time to see Michigan’s fall colors is just a few weeks away. Fall arrives officially on Sept. 21 and, according to Smokymountains.com, leaves will be either at or near peak colors just a few days later — between Sept. 24 - Oct. 1.

By Oct. 8, the entire state will be past peak and you’ll need to head south to places like Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky to see the autumn colors at their best. But enough about those other places.

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In Michigan, a trip to the Upper Peninsula should be in your travel plans by Sept. 17 if you want to catch the colors at peak at places like Pictured Rocks or Tahquamenon Falls. The following week, the northern lower peninsula will be at peak, so Mackinac Island or Traverse City would be good travel options.

After that, you’ve got to stay in southeast Michigan to catch the last of the fall color show. Check out the Smoky Mountains fall color map below:

Photo by Sean Benham via Flick Commons