Illustration

State guide

When to catch Michiganthrough the year

The peaks we can name in Michigan each belong to a place, not the whole state. Spring migrating birds at Seney: May; Fall color at Seney: the first two weeks of October.

When are you going?

Fall in Michigan

USUAL PEAK · FALL FOLIAGEPictured RocksEither the last week in September or at some point during the first ten days of OctoberMichigan
“either the last week in September or at some point during the first ten days of October” · National Park Service ↗
USUAL PEAK · FALL FOLIAGEHarbor Island Refuge, Seney Refuge, Shiawassee Refuge +1In October at 4 Michigan placesMichigan
“the first two weeks of October” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

More fall foliage:Hiawatha National Forest

Also good in fall

Au Sable RiverLumberman's Monument programs
Harbor Island RefugeBest fall color, usually the first two weeks of October
Hiawatha National ForestColor begins
Pictured RocksBoat tours
Seney RefugeBest months for fall migratory birds, September and October

From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.

Places in Michigan

Pick a part of the state; the map follows

Spring
Fall
Winter

Places on this map, as a list

Map: approximate positions; state lines US Census.

Northern Lower Peninsula

Au Sable RiverFall foliage · October

Upper Peninsula

Show the rest in Upper Peninsula (1) →

Seney RefugeSpring migration · late MayWildlife by season · Jun–AugFall foliage · OctWinter wildlife · Sep–Oct

Elsewhere

Planning a Michigan trip

Everything here from each place's own sources

Towns to stay in

Detroit, MIOttawa Refuge · 54 mi
Ann Arbor, MIOttawa Refuge · 53 mi
Lansing, MIShiawassee Refuge · 52 mi
Kalamazoo, MIIndiana Dunes · 89 mi
Saginaw, MIShiawassee Refuge · 7 mi
Jackson, MIOttawa Refuge · 76 mi
Port Huron, MIShiawassee Refuge · 81 mi

Nearest place we follow, straight-line miles.

Current park alerts (NPS)

Pictured Rocks: Sand Point Road Closed 10/1-10/14 ↗
Pictured Rocks: Munising Falls Trail Closed Until Further Notice ↗

Browse by season and event

Fall foliage · 6 places hereFall foliage in Michigan →Fall foliage, everywhere →
Wildflowers · 1 place hereWildflowers, everywhere →
Spring migration · 2 places hereSpring migration, everywhere →
Wildlife by season · 2 places hereWildlife by season, everywhere →
Winter wildlife · 2 places hereWinter wildlife, everywhere →

Questions people ask

Can I see Kirtland's warblers at Au Sable River?

Guided tours run May 15 to 31 with reservations. Breeding areas are closed May 1 to July 15, but you can look from the roadsides.Source: US Forest Service, Kirtland's warbler tours ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How do I get there at Harbor Island Refuge?

By boat only: the refuge is in Potagannissing Bay of Lake Huron, north of Drummond Island. Public boat ramps are at De Tour Village and on Drummond Island.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harbor Island NWR visit ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Are there trails or a campground at Harbor Island Refuge?

No official trails (hikes are off-trail) and no camping. It's daylight use only, and there's no charge to visit.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harbor Island NWR visit ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harbor Island NWR rules ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Are campgrounds busy in the fall at Hiawatha National Forest?

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)

What blooms after spring at Pictured Rocks?

Early to mid-summer brings shade-tolerant forest flowers, water-lilies on inland lakes and orchids; mid to late summer and early fall is the time for goldenrod, joe-pye-weed, milkweed and asters in fields and meadows.Source: National Park Service, Pictured Rocks Wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Can I pick the flowers at Pictured Rocks?

No. Picking isn't permitted, and several species are protected by the state. Use the boot-brush stations at trailheads so you don't spread invasive plants.Source: National Park Service, Pictured Rocks Wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Plan a Michigan trip for your dates →Alerts for Michigan

Nearby state guides: Wisconsin · Ohio · Minnesota · Indiana

Michigan in pictures

Illustrative photos, not current conditions

A dark woodland pool among mossy ground, fallen logs and conifers — Marshy landscape on Standerson Island, part of Harbor Island National Wildlife Refuge. Photo: Sara Siekierski / USFWS · public domain · resized

A sandstone rock formation rises out of blue-green Lake Superior on a sunny day — Miners Castle, a sandstone formation rising from Lake Superior at Pictured Rocks (date not given). Photo: NPS Photo · public domain · resized

A frosty winter landscape at Seney refuge — A frosty winter landscape at Seney National Wildlife Refuge. Sara Giles/USFWS.. Photo: Sara Giles/USFWS · public domain · resized

How we know

Every timing on this page, from these pages; checked Sep 30

Sep 27Park ServiceAu Sable River views at the peak of fall color in OctoberSource (opens US Forest Service, Au Sable Vista in a new tab)
Sep 28ReferenceBoat access only; best fall color usually the first two weeks of October; map pointSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harbor Island NWR visit in a new tab)
Sep 27ReferenceThe forest starts to show color in late SeptemberSource (opens US Forest Service, Fall Color Tour, west side of the Hiawatha in a new tab)
Sep 27ReferenceSault Ste. Marie and St. Ignace districts; color from late SeptemberSource (opens US Forest Service, Fall Color Tour, east side of the Hiawatha in a new tab)
Sep 27Park ServiceSpring wildflowers between mid-April and early June; Grand Sable Dunes, Sand Point Road, Sand Point Marsh TrailSource (opens National Park Service, Pictured Rocks Wildflowers in a new tab)
Sep 26Park ServiceColor usually peaks the last week of September or the first ten days of October; Chapel-Mosquito loop; black fliesSource (opens National Park Service, Pictured Rocks FAQ in a new tab)
National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.

Show all 10

Sep 29Park ServiceSeasons of wildlife: spring returns of geese, loons and swans, late-May warblers and rails, summer young, fall migrationSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) in a new tab)
Sep 29Park ServiceDirections, fees, vehicle limits on the drive, construction parking, temporary visitor center, what to bring and best monthsSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Visit Us in a new tab)
Sep 30Park ServiceVisitor tips with the best months for spring and fall migratory birds and the usual fall color peak; trails, Wildlife Drive season, hours and rulesSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Shiawassee NWR: Visit Us in a new tab)
Sep 30Park ServiceWhen and where to look for Great Lakes piping plovers (early April through mid-August), behaviors by month, nesting areas and the North Manitou closureSource (opens National Park Service, Sleeping Bear Dunes: Piping Plovers in a new tab)
National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.