Whenever I see lists showing the best places in the world to view fall foliage, I always let out a big pshaw or a dissatisfied guffaw every time any list does not include Michigan and particularly the Upper Peninsula. I have hiked several times in the Porcupine Mountains during Columbus Day and the experience always inspires awe. I found Pictured Rocks fall foliage to be just as impressive.
Pictured Rocks fall foliage as I entered the park on the road
Michigan and UP is where it is at for fall foliage
I decided this autumn to opt for a different adventure as tempting as it is to return to my old haunts. This year I selected Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. This location is a little closer to Chicago as it is straight north of Green Bay.
Getting started at Pictured Rocks Au Sable Visitor’s Center
Pictured Rocks fall foliage
It was a good choice as the colors were just as spectacular as the Porcupine Mountains. The featured scenery in Pictured Rocks is the cliffs along Lake Superior and the fall colors blazed orange and red above these cliffs. The park is more than just the cliffs though and further inland there are lakes, streams, and impressive forests.
Pictured Rocks fall foliage
I hiked the entire length of the North Country National Scenic Trail through the park, which is approximately 42 miles. It was definitely one of the highlights of the year and this photo essay highlights the amazing fall colors I encountered.
Enjoying the colors right from the get go on the North Country Trail
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Pictured Rocks fall foliage
For a stretch near the lake, the North Country Trail follows the road
Grand Sable Lake
Grand Sable Lake
Au Sable Light Station from the Logslide in Pictured Rocks
Fall foliage along the North Country Trail
One yellow and one red tree among a stand of pine trees
About 15 miles down the trail the beautiful cliffs come into play
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
The only thing more beautiful than a waterfall is one topped with fall foliage
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
One great way to view Pictured Rocks is from the cruise boats
Enchanted forest in Pictured Rocks
Pictured Rocks fall foliage is beautiful when you look straight up too
Checking out Grand Island and looking back at Pictured Rocks from a scenic view in Munising
Beautiful tree at the end of the trail at Munising Falls parking lot
Pictured Rocks Sand Point
The trip begins in the car and ends with Pictured Rocks fall foliage seen through the windshield
Adventure on!
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What a magnificent place to visit in the fall. Looks like it might be a great time for a paddle as well – chilly at night but otherwise beautiful.
Leigh recently posted..Travel News from Around the World: October 24, 2014 Edition
Definitely chilly at night, but I was kind of lucky as it was a little bit warmer the weekend I was there. Ranger said the last day was the warmest in two weeks.
Beautiful! we drove by Pictured Rocks last year on our drive up to Manitoba. We should have stopped but didn’t have time. Definitely a place to come back!
Cristina recently posted..Cathedral of the Wild Book Review
It definitely is worth a day or two or more for exploring. I definitely would come back.
Stunning autumn colors, Ted! It looks like the perfect place for a hike this time a year!
Miriam of Adventurous Miriam recently posted..10 things I learned from my yoga retreat
The colors were beautiful. It was a fantastic hike.
It looks super. Some great pics there. If I ever manage to make it to Michigan I will definitely go
Travellingforfun recently posted..Video Blog of Climbing Mont Blanc
You definitely should. Pictured Rocks is a beautiful place.
We visited the UP in 2009 and took a cruise boat out on Superior to see Pictured Rocks. All of the UP is great for scenic views.
I definitely would love to do that boat trip. Great that you can see such fantastic views and cliffs and without the darn heavy backpack.