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Fall Foliage Tours, Scenic Color Drives
Along Lake Superior Circle Route
View from Summit Peak, Porcupine Mountains
Best Scenic Fall Color Drives Around/Along Lake Superior
Fall Color Pictures
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Western Upper Peninsula Fall Color Scenic Drives along Lake Superior
 Fall Color Black River Harbor
 Scenic Byway & Recreation Area
Presque Isle Scenic Recreation
Area
Porcupine Mountains State Park
Keweenaw Copper Harbor
Old Victoria Restoration
Fall Color Tahquamenon Falls
Color Drives Central Upper Peninsula
Maps Scenic Drives Fall Foliage Color Tours
Wisconsin Fall Color Drive Map
Michigan UP Fall Color Drive Map
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Wisconsin Fall Color Scenic Drives along Lake Superior
Potato River Falls County Park
Bayfield & Ashland, Wi Area
Bayfield Orchard Tour
Copper Falls, Mellen, Wi Area
Amnicon Falls, Superior, Wi Area
North Shore Fall Color Scenic Drives
Fall Color Duluth, Minnesota
Scenic Highway 61 Fall Color
Moose Mountain Fall Color
Skyline Drive & Seven Bridges Road
Scenic Railroad Fall Color Train
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Peak Fall Color Reports - 2012 |
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Fall Color Color Change Around Lake Superior
2012
Fall Color Report Overview - October
Along the Black River Harbor
Scenic Byway.
Photo by Tim Zheng
* See our regional tourism and weather report links midway down the page.
Between the last week of September and the first week in October great fall color broke out along a good deal of Lake Superior Shores. All of a sudden many areas are reported in excess of 50% change to close to 100%. The color held into the second week of October in areas where in previous years many leaves had been lost.
We had reports of very good color in the Porcupine Mountains and up in the Keweenaw Peninsula. In addition to these two areas, another scenic fall drive in the UP I'd recommend is the H58 county road between Munising and Grand Marais, Michigan. Also consider a Pictured Rocks Boat Tour, in addition to the amazing painted rocks you'll get to see some nice leaf color as a backdrop.
This year Bayfield had peak color for their annual Apple Festival. Usually the peak comes a week or so later. And color along Scenic Highway 61 along Minnesota's North Shore also came earlier than usual.
In northern Wisconsin and the Western Upper Peninsula one trip we've enjoyed is a scenic waterfalls color tour taking in Copper Falls State Park, Potato River Falls, the falls along the Black River Harbor Scenic Byway, and the falls along the Presque Isle River in the western park of Porcupine Mountains State Park.
Watch for Fall Color Report Updates below.
Planning your Fall Color Tour Vacation. In addition to watching this space, also see our link to fall color reports from last year and earlier years to give you a better idea of when the color changes and when peak color arrives in the area of your interest.
 Learn More about the best fall color drives around Lake Superior
See weather report links for selected areas around Lake Superior
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Fall Color Report Update - October 1, 2012
Wisconsin South Shore . Bayfield is reporting 75% of color change with peak color expected during the coming week. If you are up there for the Bayfield Apple Festival a good color drive would be taking Hwy 13 north and west from Bayfield to Aminicon Falls (turn south on Highway U). Then return to Bayfield on US 2. About 10 miles before Ashland, go north on Cty Hwy G which runs along the old roadway of US Hwy 2. towards Superior. Hurley should be at peak or moving past peak but if the leaves are holding on the trees doing the waterfall loop from Potato Falls to Copper Falls to Ashland and back to Hurley should still be a nice trip. Or do the trip to through Saxon Harbor to Little Girls Point and the Black River Harbor Scenic byway in the nearby Upper Peninsula.
Michigan Upper Peninsula. I have no fresh reports from the UP since last week but you can presume that color change is advancing rapidly and may be past peak in several areas. If you aren't going up there til this coming weekend, the tip of the Keweenaw may still be showing some color. Another area I would target for this coming weekend would be Pictured Rocks National Park between Munising and Grand Marais. Should be good color going along H58 and along the spur roads that lead to the various camping areas and trail heads within the park. A Pictured Rocks Boat Cruise on a sunny day could catch both colors of the rocks and of the trees.
Ontario East Shore. Based on earlier reports color should be at or near peak between Sault Ste. Marie and Wawa, Ontario. Still a good time for a drive along the shoreline up to Lake Superior Provincial Park or take the Agawa Canyon Train Ride.
Minnesota North Shore. Colors should be at peak this week and moving past peak. So get out there soon. If you are not going there until this coming weekend, the weather report for further up the North Shore is not encouraging so if you have options I'd stick closer to Duluth and do some touring around there - skyline drive and hawk's ridge or out to Park Point.
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Fall Color Report Update - September 27, 2012
Michigan Upper Peninsula. Michigan.org reports peak color is fast approaching. Trina from the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce reports color change approaching 75% with more color change along Michigan 26 between Twin Lakes and Houghton and a lesser degree as you get out to the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula near Copper Harbor. Based on past experience I expect that by the coming weekend about 75% fall color change around Ironwood's Black River Harbor and in the Porcupine Mountains. East of the Keweenaw, going towards Marquette and Sault Ste. Marie the color change is around 50%. If you are in central and eastern UP this coming week you'll find the best color around Tahquamenon Falls. Also check out the color along H58 between Munising and Grand Marais, Michigan.
Ontario East Shore. I received a report from around Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and am still waiting for a report from around Wawa. Tara from Sault Ste. Marie Tourism reported as of Sept. 24th fall color is at 65% along the Agawa Canyon Train route and is expected to be 100% by October 5th. So this coming weekend should be quite colorful from the Soo to near Wawa. Over in the west near Thunder Bay, I'd normally expet less color change. But since Minnesota has experienced earlier than usual color change among Aspen and Birches, I'd predict that Thunder Bay would be at about 50% and moving towards 100%.
Minnesota North Shore. Color change from Tettegouche Park to Grand Portage is being reported in the 75% - 100% of peak color. The area from Duluth to Tettegouche is at 50% - 75%.
If you are a hiker you'll catch the best color climbing to the peaks of some of the north shore mountains like Oberg, Carlton, and Lookout. Or ride the Gondola at Moose Mountain near Lutsen.
Wisconsin South Shore. Color change along Wisconsin's shore normally doesn't show much until October. But the dry summer and fall is causing the Birch and Aspen to turn earlier so at present Bayfield and Ashland are near 50%. Hurley is now at 75% and SW of Hurley it will be approaching 100%. If you are up in that area this coming week, take a side trip loop south of Ashland on Hwy 13 to Copper Falls State Park and then north on Hwy 169 to Potato Falls and then return to US Highway 2. Another scenic loop near Hurley is going north on Hwy 122 towards Saxon Harbor, then cross into Michigan on Michigan 505 towards Little Girls Point and then Black River Harbor. You can return to Wisconsin along US Highway 2.
--Ross
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Last year's Report
Fall Color Report Update - October 1, 2011 (for historical comparision)
In Western Michigan the reports show color change at or near peak fall color along the Black River Scenic Byway, along US 2 from Ironwood to Wakefield, and in the vicinity of the Porcupine Mountains. Weather has been ideal. Nancy at Keweenaw Visitors Bureau expects good color for at least another week. Look for color change exceeding 50% near Munising and over 75% around Tahquamenon Falls and nearing peak. Good time to take the Whitefish Bay Scenic Byway between Paradise and Sault Saint Marie. In Minnesota the DNR reports color change exceeding 75% from Gooseberry Falls to Silver Bay; color change around Temperance River and Lutsen is between 75% and Peak. In the Grand Portage area they also report between 75% and Peak, but we found along scenic Highway 61 north of Grand Marais less than 75% because of the high percentage of Aspen and few Maples or other hardwoods. Tram rides at Lutsen Mountain are very popular at the moment as color approaches peak. Hikes to Oberg Mountain will continue to show beautiful colors along the trail and from the top. In Wisconsin, Travel Wisconsin reports the area near Hurley is between 75% and Peak. I expect the same for the route from Potato Falls to Copper Falls in Mellen. Ashland and Bayfield remain between 25 & 50% but look for that to advance quickly over the next week. As you get closer to Superior color change is exceeding 75%; check out the area at Amnicon Falls - should be quite colorful. In Ontario, around Thunder Bay color change is around 50% due to high percentage of Aspen, but changing daily. Around Sault Ste. Marie and north to Wawa we expect it to exceed 50% and recommend a trip now by car or rail north of Sault Ste Marie to Algoma Bay (by car) or Agawa Canyon (by rail).
Fall Color Report Update - September 27, 2011
A few days ago, Michigan.org reports color change occurring along the Black River Scenic Byway, along US 2 from Ironwood to Wakefield, and about 25% peak in the vicinity of the Porcupine Mountains. My guess is that now the change is at least 50% in this area. Look for color change around 50% around Tahquamenon Falls as they generally show earlier color change. In Minnesota the DNR reports color change between 25 & 50% from Gooseberry Falls to Silver Bay; color change around Temperance River and Lutsen is at about 50% and in the Grand Portage area between 50 and 75%. Today there were beautiful colors from the top of Oberg Mountain. In Wisconsin, Travel Wisconsin reports the area near Hurley is advancing nicely at about 75%, Peak Color may be less than 2 weeks away from Peak Color. Look for some nice color south of US Hwy 2 near Potato River Falls and Copper Falls. Ashland and Bayfield are between 25 & 50%; the area between Ashland and Superior is about 25%; the Bayfield Chamber expects peak color the second week in October. Our sources in Ontario, at North of Superior Travel and Sault Ste. Marie Chamber report color change around 50% and changing daily. A trip by car or rail north of Sault Ste Marie to Algoma Bay (by car) or Agawa Canyon (by rail) in the next two weeks could be rewarding.
During the next few days we'll be along Minnesota's North Shore reporting directly on conditions.
--Ross |
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For useful historical comparisons, see More Fall Color Reports covering our reports from 2008 to 2010 |
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Have a color report to pass along or a question - write me
Ross Reinhold - roscoetrails@gmail.com
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 Regional Tourism & Peak Fall Color Report Links:
 Michigan UP: Keweenaw.org
Keweenaw Visitors Bureau
Ironwood, MI area color reports
Michigan: Michigan.org
Wisconsin: TravelWisconsin.com
Bayfield, WI Color Report
Minnesota: DNR NorthShore Parks
Ontario North Shore: NorthofSuperior.org
Ontario North East Shore: Saulttourism.com
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 Weather Channel Links:
Ironwood, Michigan UP
Houghton, Keweenaw Peninsula Michigan UP
Marquette, Michgan UP
Sault Saint Marie, Michigan UP
Ashland-Bayfield Peninsula, Wisconsin
Duluth, Minnesota
Grand Marais, Minnesota
Wawa, Ontario Canada
Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada
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Why Do Leaves Change Color?
"A growing season with ample moisture that is followed by a rather dry, cool, sunny autumn that is marked by warm days and cool but frostless nights provides the best weather conditions for development of the brightest fall colors," - - - Learn more from this article from the PBS News Hour's website.
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| Fall Color - Fall Pictures - Scenic Drives |
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Iron-Ashland-Bayfield Counties
Ashland, gateway to the Bayfield Peninsula, is about 42 miles west of Hurley/Ironwood on US Highway 2. Travelers coming from the east (Hwy 2) or southeast (Hwy 51) can go directly to Ashland along US Hwy 2. As most of the lake is not in view along this route, for those not on a time schedule to get to Ashland and Bayfield we recommend a longer route looping down towards Mellen, Wisconsin.
This fall color side trip brings you buy some of the areas prettiest waterfalls. From the east take Highway 169 south, stopping at Potato Falls and then on to Copper Falls State Park, near Mellen, WI. At Mellen, take Highway 13 north to Ashland and return to the regular Circle Tour route.
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Western Upper Peninsula Color Tour
The mixed hardwood forests of the Western UP provide fantastic color from the Black River Harbor National Forest Scenic Byway to the Porcupine Mountains (great fall color vistas in the Porcupine Mountains) to the Keweenaw Peninsula (terrific fall color along US 41). While the year we caught peak color in the Western UP, we didn't get as far east as Marquette Michigan, a couple we met in the Keweenaw said the fall foliage color all along US Route 41 south from the Wisconsin border were quite vibrant.
Color tour travelers from Milwaukee and Chicago can take US 41 north to Copper Harbor. Then return by heading west on US 26 to tour the Porkies and the scenic drives between there and Ironwood. At that point you can begin the trek south via US 51 or continue west to Ashland and Bayfield and then return south along US Highway 13. Color in Ashland is usually two weeks behind the western upper peninsula so hitting that area last makes good sense. And if your timing is right you can catch the Bayfield Apple Festival.
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Central-Eastern Upper Peninsula Color Tour
 In 2010, during the last week in September, we toured the central UP looking for color. We found the best early fall color around Tahquamenon Falls. As we went further east towards Sault Saint Marie the color hadn't changed much. But had we been there a week later a good fall color route would have been from Tahquamenon Falls to Sault Ste Marie along the Whitefish Bay Scenic Byway. Crossing into Canada at the Soo, color was showing but unfortunately 3 days of heavy rain prevented our planned exploration up to the Algoma area. One of these years we'll be in Sault Sainte Marie at peak color time with compatible weather to catch the Agawa Canyon train ride.
Back in Michigan, the area around Marquette was also beginning to change, showing some nice color in spots. But Munising was still a week away from good color. Now that H58 between Munising and Grand Marais is paved it will become one of the more popular scenic fall color drives. Even though we were too early for the color change, we found another form of amazing Mother Nature color in the Pictured Rocks boat tour. You can read about our central UP fall color trip and see some pictures and points of interest at our ScenicPathways blog Upper Penisnula fall color tour.
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 Minnesota North Shore Fall Color Tour
In 2011, during the last week in September and first week in October we toured the Minnesota North Shore on Scenic Highway 61 from Duluth, MN to Thunder Bay, Ontario leaf peeping, hiking to the top of several mountain peaks, and sampling interesting things to see and do in the cities, villages and parks along the north shore. The best color was in the mountains and inland away from the lake. There were lots of people on the hiking trails to the tops of peaks along the North Shore. For non-hikers, the Lutsen Gondola (see above picture) is a decent bargain with great views.
Go here - North Shore Scenic Fall Color Drive - to see pictures and info. You can also jump to our travel blog - scenicpathways.com - for more fall color pictures and more detailed daily report on our North Shore Fall Color Trip.
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| More Scenic Fall Color Drive Recommendations |
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Campground Directory
Lake Superior Circle Tour
Wisconsin Waterfalls
Hotel, Motel Lodging
Ashland, Superior, Ironwood, Wisconsin South Shore
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