Yogeshwari Puranik
Fall Color Report
September 30, 2026
The fall color report is updated every Wednesday throughout the fall color season.
There’s a reason USA TODAY readers have repeatedly named the U.P. the No. 1 Best Destination for Fall Colors. With forests stretching across more than 85% of the peninsula, there’s plenty of color to see, and space to find your own favorite view--whether it’s a panoramic overlook, a waterfall framed by changing leaves, a quiet riverbank or a stretch of Great Lakes shoreline.
Weather can speed up or slow down the season, so check back often for the latest conditions. Explore the regional reports below to see where colors are changing, what’s nearing peak and where to go next.
Stages of Fall Color
Fall is a spectacular time to explore the Upper Peninsula, as forests burst into shades of red, orange and gold. Color typically begins in mid to late September, peaks during the first three weeks of October and moves from the western and interior U.P. toward the east and Great Lakes shorelines.
Western Upper Peninsula
Baraga County: 
Partial to at peak color change. Beautiful crimson, yellows and oranges with hints of gold and brown. More color inland, less on the lakeshore. Peak expected to continue through the first week of October.
Gogebic & Ontonagon Counties:
Partial to at peak color change. More color inland, still developing along the lakeshore. Peak expected to continue through the first week of October.
Houghton & Keweenaw Counties:
Partial to at peak color change. Peak expected to continue through the first week of October.
Iron County:
At peak color change. Reds, yellows and oranges are gorgeous. Peak expected to continue into the first week of October.
Central Upper Peninsula
Alger County: 
Patchy to partial color change. Peak expected the first and second week of October.
Delta County:
Patchy to partial color change. Peak expected the first and second week of October.
Dickinson County:
Patchy to partial color change. Reds and yellows popping on maples. Patches or orange and green. Peak expected the first and second week of October.
Marquette County:
Patchy to partial color change. Peak expected the first and second week of October.
Menominee County:
Patchy to partial color change. Peak expected the first and second week of October.
Eastern Upper Peninsula
Chippewa County:
Partial to patchy color change. Peak expected the second week of October.
Luce County:
Partial to patchy color change. Peak expected the second week of October.
Mackinac County:
Partial to patchy with some more dense color change. Reds, oranges and golds are amazing! Peak expected the first and second week of October.
Schoolcraft County:
Partial to patchy color change. Peak expected the second week of October.
Ask fall color seekers their favorite destinations and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula 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…