Skip to main content
Live · updated todayTypical peak look

Hiawatha National Forest, Michiganfall foliage

No reports yet this season for Hiawatha National Forest.

Local timing
Sep 21–30
The Forest Service says the forest starts to show color in late September. General timing for this place: not a peak date, and not a forecast.

Next 7 days

  • Frost likely · low 32°FThursday Night, Friday Night, Sunday Night
  • Rain likely · up to 69% chanceTuesday Night, Wednesday Night

National Weather Service forecast, issued Mon 12:19 PM (Eastern). Frost: a low of 36°F or less; wind: 20 mph or more; rain: 60% chance or more.

Frost near Hiawatha National Forest

First frost usually arrives this week

Oct 4Average first fall frost

May 18Average last spring frost

The day a 32°F night is as likely as not, 1991–2020, at NOAA's Rapid Rvr 4sse station (3.7 mi away, 598 ft). Source ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Hiawatha National Forest through the year

  • Bay Furnace campground openNowMay–Oct
  • Point Iroquois Light Station openNowJun–Oct
  • Color beginsNowSep

Best spots around Hiawatha National Forest

  • Fall Color Tour, west sideMaple, oak, birch, beech and aspen color
  • Fall Color Tour, east sideSault Ste. Marie and St. Ignace districts
  • Whitefish Bay Scenic BywayLake Superior shore drive to Point Iroquois Lighthouse

Around Michigan this week

Best days to go: Today, Thu–Sun
All of Michigan: region map, peak windows and the week ahead →

Trees this fall (Sep 15–21). Across the Upper Midwest, river birch is ahead of a typical year; American elm is behind. Which trees turn when →

How we know

National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · USA National Phenology Network, colored leaves observations (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · US Forest Service, Fall Color Tour, west side of the Hiawatha (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Fall Color Tour, east side of the Hiawatha (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Whitefish Bay National Forest Scenic Byway (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Bay Furnace Campground (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Point Iroquois Light Station (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27)

All our sources and how we use them →

Questions people ask

When is peak fall foliage in Hiawatha National Forest in 2026?

The Forest Service says the forest starts to show color in late September: Sep 21–30. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.

How is the fall color in Hiawatha National Forest right now?

There's no official report yet this season.

Are campgrounds busy in the fall?

The Forest Service says fall campgrounds are at their best and not crowded, with good salmon and trout fishing.Source: US Forest Service, Fall Color Tour, west side of the Hiawatha ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Where are the best spots in Hiawatha National Forest?

Fall Color Tour, west side: maple, oak, birch, beech and aspen color; Fall Color Tour, east side: sault Ste. Marie and St. Ignace districts; Whitefish Bay Scenic Byway: lake Superior shore drive to Point Iroquois Lighthouse.

What is Hiawatha National Forest like through the year?

Color begins (Sep), Bay Furnace campground open (May–Oct) and Point Iroquois Light Station open (Jun–Oct).