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Upper Peninsula of Michigan Rated Top Destination for Fall Colors
“With around 7 million acres of forest abutting the shores of three different Great Lakes, changing leaves are the main event each fall in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. With 10 fall color routes that cover a total of nearly 1,500 miles, there are endless opportunities for a peaceful autumn drive to soak in the scenery.”
Scenic Fall Color Chair Lift Rides
Experience the amazing autumn color display with panoramic views during one of our area’s incredible chair lift rides. Or, try them all!!
The Porcupine Mountains Fall Color Chairlift Rides
Copper Peak Chairlift and Adventure Ride
150 Mile Western U.P. Color Tour
Tour Highlights: Cisco Chain of Lakes, Bond Falls, Porkies, and Presque Isle Falls.
This tour takes you to some of the most spectacular scenery this country has to offer. You Start in Wakefield on Hwy 2 heading east. As you travel this road you are driving through the heart of the Ottawa Ntl Forest.
There are several side roads you can travel. Maps are available at the Forest Service offices. At the intersection of Hwy 2 & 45 turn north.
Western U.P. Waterfall Color Tour
This is a simple trip, however, the views are anything but simple. The Black River Scenic Byway is a protected roadway by the Federal Government. It includes several waterfalls, Copper Peak ski flying hill, and a walking suspension bridge over the river. This route while short is a good route to spend most of your time out of the car.
To begin you turn to the north off US-2 at the entrance to Big Powderhorn Mountain. The entrance is marked by the big skier. Follow the road to the main lodge of the ski resort. There the road turns to the right, follows it over the railroad tracks to a T intersection, you turn left onto Black River Road. This will take you out to the waterfalls. Each of the waterfalls has paths leading to them. Potawatomi is barrier-free (from the Gorge Parking Lot) with bathroom facilities. Gorge and Rainbow have steps and observation decks, while Great Conglomerate and Sandstone Falls have natural settings. At the harbor, there is also a bathroom and picnic area. Black River Harbor also includes a campground, cabins, and shopping. Enjoy this trip short in distance long on scenery.
50 Mile Fall Color Tour
Tour Highlights: Little Girls Point, Lake Superior, Gogebic County Forest, Superior Falls and Saxon Harbor
This tour takes in a little of everything our area has to offer. You begin in Ironwood at the intersection of US and Lake Rd, the Holiday Gas Station is there. Take Lake Road north. You will travel about 15 miles. At this point, you will enter the Gogebic County forest and begin to go downhill. Halfway down this hill is a spring with good drinking water.
As you continue on Lake Rd (513) you will come to Little Girls Point. This park is a great place to get out and stretch your legs. Take some time to walk the beach and listen to the waves of the Big Lake. This stretch of land is rich in history. It was the site of Indian villages and resting points for the Jesuit Missionaries, most notably Father Jacques Marquette, as they traveled from St. Ignace to Madeline Island in 1669.
As you continue west you will come to Superior Falls and the mouth of the Montreal River. This is another good spot to get out and explore. As you cross the Montreal River you will enter Wisconsin. Shortly after this, you will see the signs for Saxon Harbor, a must-see. This place is part of the Old Flambeau Trail serving the Chippewa from LaPointe to Lac du Flambeau. As you Return to the main road you will intersect with Hwy 2 turn left and it will bring you back to Ironwood.
Lake Gogebic Fall Color Tour
You can start this tour from either end of the lake. As you drive around the lake take the time to stop in at one of the restaurants for lunch or dinner as your view is over the lake. Lake Gogebic is the Upper Peninsula’s largest lake. 18 miles long and 3 miles wide, the driving distance around the lake is a little over 38 miles. Again take your time and enjoy the colors.
From Hwy 2 east of Marenisco take Hwy M64 north. After a few miles, you will be on the south end of Lake Gogebic. About a mile further you will see hiking signs. This trail leads to a scenic overlook of the lake. As you continue up the west shore there are two restaurants; The Gogebic Lodge and the Fishtales Resort both have great food with dining rooms that overlook the lake.
The west shore also features the parks. Gogebic County Park is the furthest south, the State Park is in the middle and Ontonagon County Park is on the north end. M64 will intersect with M28, go east this will take you into Bergland. Here you will find gas and supplies. About one mile east of Bergland is East Shore Road, turn right and follow the road until it comes to M64 on the south end of the lake. Turn left and you will return to Hwy 2.
