Planning a trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula can be daunting. There’s so much ground to cover, and so many unique activities in each of the three regions. Not to mention you want to find something everyone in the family can enjoy — from Grandma and Grandpa to the littlest of tikes and everyone in between. We’re making that all a little easier for you.
We’ve looked over each nook and cranny of our peninsula to find fall family fun activities, and we’ve also tossed in a few bucket list items that are a blast year round. All you have to do is decide which activities, traditions and events fit your family best. Then schedule a trip. It’s as easy as that!
Apple Orchards, pumpkins, farmers markets and corn mazes
Bring your fall family traditions to the Upper Peninsula! We have many apple orchards, pumpkin patches and corn mazes to choose from. Pick up something juicy for your favorite apple crisp recipe, and grab a few gourds and pumpkins for the porch and jack-o-lantern carving, too. You can also find fresh produce, baked goods, picnic supplies and more at our local farmers markets while traveling through the U.P.
Here’s a list of what we have to offer:
Sunny G. Orchard, Stephenson (apples, pumpkins, farm stand and farmers market booth)
Starz Orchard, Wallace (apples, cider)
Loud Acres Farm, Crystal Falls (corn maze, traveling petting zoo)
Halls Farms, Rock (sunflower field, pumpkins)
Bower Family Corn Maze, Bark River
Getzloff Corn Maze, Wilson
Hayes Corn Maze, Rock
Rappette’s Corn Maze, Cornell
Porath Family Pumpkin Patch, Bark River
Davis Farms 123, Moran (pumpkins and gourds)
Slagle’s Family Farm, Felch (pumpkins)
Farmer’s Markets:
Downtown Marquette Farmers Market
Iron Mountain Farmers & Artisan Market
Fall foliage viewing
Ask fall color seekers their favorite destinations and the U.P. makes their lists. Seven million acres of tree coverage, the pristine shores of three Great Lakes, picturesque historic lighthouses, mirror-calm inland lakes and roaring waterfalls make this a fall getaway no other U.S. destination can match. When USA Today asked its readers to choose their favorite destination for fall color, they even voted Michigan’s Upper Peninsula first in 2020 and second in 2021.
The leaf show begins when our daylight hours shorten in mid-September and the night air grows crisp. First, there’s a splatter painting of scarlet reds and sunny yellows amid acres of green. Then, almost overnight, the hardwood forests explode in reds, oranges, yellows, purples, browns and greens. The colors intensify and peak by mid-October. But this breathtaking show continues for a couple more weeks, especially along tree-canopied roads near the shorelines of Lakes Huron, Michigan and Superior.
Scenic drives
Our 10 fall color tours will take you up to mountain tops, to the edge of thundering waterfalls, along leaf-strewn trails and multi-colored rocky shores. Everywhere you turn, you will swear the vista is more beautiful than the one before.You have nearly 1,500 gorgeous, leafy miles to choose from. To help plan your trip, check our weekly color reports here for our eastern, central and western regions.
Fall hikes
Driving isn’t the only way to experience the colors though. You can get up close and personal with them on foot, too! The Upper Peninsula is home to some of the best hiking trails in Michigan. Desire a short trail with a show-stopping view? Or a long strenuous hike to test your abilities? Your family can do both while hiking through a canopy of oranges, reds and coppery browns — or crunching on the fallen leaves along the trail later in the season. Here are 11 fall hikes we highly recommend for you and your family.
Make sure not to miss high vantage points for foliage such as Lake of the Clouds and Summit Peak in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park or riding chairlifts in locations like Mount Bohemia in the Keweenaw Peninsula’s Copper Country and Copper Peak Adventure Ride.
Paddling
While those colors are gorgeous from up above, paddling underneath the canopy of leaves is an entirely different way to experience this beauty up close. Nothing is more peaceful than sending ripples through the water as its surface reflects the masterpiece above. Listen for the sounds of birds chirping, squirrels leaping through the rustling treetops as they gather the season’s final harvest and other U.P. wildlife nearby. Depending on how long you’d like to be on the water, we have several different trails to paddle. Join family or friends for a short paddle out to Lake Superior on the Two-Hearted River, or plan a long adventure on the Lake Superior Hiawatha Water Trail from Munising to Marquette to Big Bay in your kayaks. Search water trails here.
Photographing fall color
You can never have too many photos of the U.P.’s stellar colors, so make sure you bring along your cameras, wide-angle lenses, smartphones and plenty of film for those of you who like to keep the art alive. Check out our recommendations of where to photograph this fall in our blog written by a Michigan-based photographer!
Spooky events for the family
Have a spooktacular time celebrating Halloween and all things spooky, here, this year! From haunted houses to trick or treating, there is something for all age ranges. If Halloween isn’t your thing, that’s okay! We’ve also included several other events happening this fall like craft shows, film festivals and races.
Find fall events on our event calendar.
Still haven’t found something for you and your family? Looking to add a few days and activities to your itinerary? This time of year, you can still search for migrating birds with your grandkids, take the family fishing for catch and release or dinner, kick up a rooster tail with your ATV, schedule tee times, ride hairpin turns through our biking trails, visit historical state and national parks and stargaze. It’s also the prime viewing time for the Northern Lights!
Enhance your trip routes and pit stops with unique Upper Peninsula experiences. Quirky roadside attractions make for great family photo ops, and we offer more food than just pasties (but we do recommend trying those, too).
If this is your first large family trip, or you want some pointers, check out our advice for multigenerational family trips. And of course, if you can’t make it up this season, come see us soon! Until then, you can enjoy these at-home virtual Upper Peninsula journeys with the whole family. We can’t wait to welcome you to our peninsula in all its brilliant fall glory.
For an opportunity to be featured on our social media, website or in our marketing materials, please upload your photos to our Fall Photo Crowdriff Collector below.