Michigan in the fall paints a masterpiece for all to see, with residents as its observers. And what better way to appreciate the colors than with a leisurely drive along a scenic county road?
“Taking a fall color tour down a county road is a great way to spend an afternoon,” said Denise Donohue, CEO of the County Road Association (CRA) of Michigan. “Michigan’s colors are among the best in the country, making fall the perfect opportunity to go out and enjoy the state’s natural beauty.”
“This list of ‘don’t miss’ fall color drives reflects the best suggestions from over 30 county road agencies who know their own best fall color vistas,” she said. The list may be found on CRA’s website at micountyroads.org/mibackroads.
According to the 2025 Pure Michigan fall color map, peak viewing conditions are expected from October 6 to November 8.
Drivers are invited to share photos on CRA’s Facebook page (facebook.com/micountyroads) to let everyone know the best local road spots for Michigan’s fall colors. Be sure to indicate an intersection, the county and the closest city/village in your post and include #MiBackroads.
The following regions are listed in order of expected leaf coloring dates starting from the Upper Peninsula and moving south.
Upper Peninsula (Oct. 6-20)
Chippewa County
North and South Caribou Lake Roads in the DeTour Village area
Gogomain Road from Goetzville to Pickford
Lakeshore Drive from Brimley to M-123
Salt Point Road from M-28 to Lakeshore Drive
Dickinson County
Kramer Drive on the north side of the city of Iron Mountain
Metropolitan Road near Felch
Gogebic CountyBlack River Road to Black River Harbor
Lake Road from Ironwood to Little Girls Point and Superior Falls
Black River Road from Bessemer to Copper Peak and Black River Harbor
Wolf Mountain Road from US-2 to Wolf Mountain
County Road 519N from Wakefield to the mouth of the Big Presque Isle River and Porcupine State Park
Thousand Island Lake Road from US-2 to Sylvania Wilderness Park
Houghton County
Covered Drive Road
Freda Road
Calumet Waterworks Road
Iron County
Ottawa Lake Road/Hagerman Lake Road loop
Pentoga Trail (County Road 639) to County Road 424 along Chicagon Lake and Pentoga Road from County Road 424 to Brule River
Bates-Amasa Road (County Road 643) US-2 to US-141 by Paint River and Hemlock River
Gibbs City Road and Ponozzo Road
Keweenaw County
Brockway Mountain Drive
Lac La Belle Road
Gratiot Lake Road
Mohawk-Gay Road
Eagle Harbor Road
Cliff Drive
Five Mile Point Road
Marquette County
Triple A off County Road 510 in Big Bay
M-35 from County Road 480 to Gwinn
Ontonagon CountySouth Boundary Road from Presquile to Ontonagon
Northern Lower Peninsula (Oct. 16 – Oct. 30)
Alpena CountyBolton Road to Long Lake Road
Nicholson Hill Road
Scott Road
Long Rapids Road
Antrim County
Deadmans Hill Road from US-131, Deadmans Hill Overlook viewing Jordan Valley
Eddy School Road between Bellaire and M-66
Alba Hwy between M-66 and US-131
“The Breezeway” C-48 Atwood Road between US-31 in Atwood and Boyne Falls in Charlevoix County
Crawford County
County Road 101 looking north from County Road 100 (“Pioneer Hill”)
Emmet CountyPleasantview Road north of Boyne Highlands to Robinson Road
Robinson Road from State Road to Pleasantview Road
State Road from Harbor Springs to Cross Village
Brutus Road from Pleasantville Road to US-31
Mitchell Road from Fletcher Road to Cheboygan County line
Grand TraverseSupply Road
Hobbs Highway
J Maddy Parkway
Leelanau County
North Eagle Highway
Newman Road
Port Oneida Road
Gills Pier Road
Schomberg Road
Mason County
Lakeshore Drive from Oceana Drive to Iris Road
Hawley from Pere Marquette Highway to Walhalla Road
South Masten Road to Washington Road and the Ruby Creek area
North Lakeshore Drive along Hamlin Lake
Custer Road from Hogue Road to US-10
Montmorency County
Pleasant Valley Road
Farrier Road
Carter Road
Meridian Line Road
Oceana County
(Start in Claybanks Twp) Scenic Drive from Webster north to 16th Avenue, north to Buchanan, then east to 18th, then north to Silver Lake Road. Continue on Silver Lake Road., north to N Shore Drive to 24th, 24th to Fox to Ridge, and Ridge north to Longbridge, then Longbridge east to US-31 BR Monroe (Pentwater Twp).
(Start in Ferry Twp) 154th north from M-20 to Loop Road, Loop Road west to 148th Avenue, 148th Avenue north to Pierce Road, Pierce Road west to 144th Avenue and 144th Avenue north to Crystal Valley (Madison Road, Crystal Twp).
Osceola County
80th Avenue from River Road to 20 Mile Road
20 Mile Road from 80th Avenue to 180th Avenue
Presque Isle County
Long Lake Highway from M-65 into Alpena County
E-634 Highway from Polaski Road west to Lake May Road
W-638 Highway Ocqueoc Road from Walker Highway to North Allis Highway from Ocqueoc Road west to M-211.
Wexford County
Fall Color Scenic Routes, all starting from downtown Cadillac:Route 1: Cadillac Lakes (20 miles)
Route 2: Hodenpyl Dam (70 miles)
Route 3: Pine River (65 miles)
Route 4: Lake Missaukee (35 miles)
Mid-Michigan (Oct. 20 – Nov. 3)
Barry County
West State Road from Hastings to Middleville
Gun Lake Road from M-179 (near Gun Lake) to M-179 (near Hastings)
Yankee Springs Road from M-37 to Delton Road South of Middleville
Clinton CountyMaple Rapids Road from Harris Road to Tallman Road
Tallman Road from Maple Rapids Road to Stone Road
Stone Road from Tallman Road to Wacousta Road
Wacousta Road from Stone Road to Hyde Road
Peacock Road from M-78 to Cutler Road
Clark Road from Upton Road East
Jackson County
Seymour Road from North Elm Avenue to Trist Road
Kimmel Road from Thorne Road to Draper Road
Shiawassee County
Grand River Road from Laingsburg to the Village of Byron
West Michigan (Oct. 25 – Nov. 8)
Berrien County
Blue Star Memorial Highway along Lake Michigan from Van Buren to M-63
M-63 south to St. Joseph
Red Arrow Highway from Stevensville to Lakeshore Road in New Buffalo
Red Arrow Highway to Union Pier then back to Warren Woods Road
Red Arrow Highway to Madron Lake Road in City of Buchanan
Kalamazoo County
Route 1: East Kalamazoo County – Starting from the intersection of 29th Street and Q Avenue
(51 Miles)
Route 2: North Kalamazoo County – Starting from the intersection of 33rd Street and G Avenue
(45 Miles)
Route 3: South Kalamazoo County – Starting from the intersection of 8th Street and O Avenue
(73 Miles)
Kent County
Honey Creek Avenue from Pettis Avenue to Cannonsburg Road
Bailey Drive from Vergennes Street to Lincoln Lake Avenue
Fallasburg Park Drive from Lincoln Lake Avenue to Gavin Lake Avenue
5 Mile Road from Lincoln Lake Avenue to Gavin Lake Avenue
Gavin Lake Road from 5-mile Road to Belding Road
Wabasis Avenue from Belding Road to 12 Mile Road
Ramsdell Drive from 5 Mile Road to 11 Mile Road
Muskegon County
Scenic Drive from Memorial Drive to Michillinda Road
Along Lake Michigan shoreline and Duck Lake
Ottawa County
Lakeshore Drive from Grand Haven city limits to Ottawa Beach Road/Holland State Park
Hayes Street from M-11 intersection to Berlin Fair Drive/the Berlin Fairgrounds in Marne
Leonard Street from intersection on Leonard Street/S. Lake Avenue in Village of Spring Lake to Lamont
Mercury Drive/Green Street/N. Cedar Drive from Grand Haven to Riverside County Park
Southeast Michigan (Oct. 25 – Nov. 8)
Macomb County
24 Mile Road between Mound Road and Shelby Road
M-53 between 28 Mile Road and 32 Mile RoadAlong the route, there are apple orchards for travelers to get a taste of Macomb County pies, donuts and cider along with fall vegetables at the local produce stands
Tillson Street between Sisson Street and South Main Street
Lakeshore Drive between 8 Mile Road and Marter Road
Macomb Orchard Trail (northern Macomb County)
Oakland County
Independence Township:Rattalee Lake between Ellis and M-15
Hadley Road between M-15 and Shappie
Shappie Road between Hadley and Perry Lake Road
Pine Knob Road between Sashabaw and Clarkston Road
Commerce Township:Wixom Road – Charm to Sleeth/Duck Lake intersection
Richardson Road – Martin Parkway to Newton
Wise Road – Canal to Carrol Lake
White Lake Township:Porter Road
Pontiac Lake Road to Cuthbert to White Lake Road (This route you see beautiful foliage, White Lake and Ruggles Farm)
Gale Road
McKeachie Road
Orion Township:Scripps Road between M-24 and Joslyn Road
Greenshield Road Joslyn Road to Kern Road (both sides of M-24 and it is a Natural Beauty Road)
Kern Road Silverbell to Clarkston Road
Oxford Township:Delano Road (from Ray Road to Davison Lake Road) – Natural Beauty Road
Ray Road (0.65 mile east of North Oxford Road to Lake George Road in Addison Township) – Natural Beauty Road
Southfield Township:Beverly Road from 13½ Mile to 14 Mile Road that passes by the Evans Nature Preserve
Washtenaw County
Huron River Drive between Mast Road and US-23
North Territorial Road between US-23 and M-52
Wayne CountyEdward N. Hines Drive between Telegraph Road and M-14 Highway
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