Fall Scenic Drives
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Soak Up Beautiful Fall Colors at the Tunnel of Trees + Less Crowded Alternatives

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There’s no question that the Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route on M-119 is a one-of-a-kind experience that should be on every Michigander’s fall bucket list.

North of Harbor Springs, M-119 becomes a very narrow road running along a bluff near Lake Michigan. Over 20 miles and around over 130 curves, travelers can see an awe-inspiring spectrum of colors that reveal how truly beautiful Michigan is in the fall.

Going at a maximum speed of 45 miles per hour, the entire Tunnel of Trees takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour to complete, but there are enough attractions to see that you spend a few hours along the route. 

Where the Tunnel of Trees ends for travelers depends on where they start. If you start from the north side, the journey ends in Harbor Springs. If you start on the south side, the journey ends in Cross Village.

When the fall colors peak, thousands of visitors flock to Northern Michigan to take this colorful journey, so if you go, plan on dealing with crowds that are just as excited to see the colors as you are.

But if you want to avoid the traffic… keep reading to discover recommendations for less crowded yet just as colorful scenic drives in Michigan this fall.

Tunnel of Trees-Cross Village
Tunnel of Trees | photo via sbohon1

Best Alternatives to the Tunnel of Trees for Fall Colors in Michigan

For residents and out-of-town visitors craving new travel opportunities or wanting to avoid big crowds, Michigan has plenty of spots to enjoy breathtaking fall views.

Here are some of the best alternatives to the Tunnel of Trees to enjoy fall colors, according to the members of the Day Trips in Michigan group on Facebook.

Houghton to Redridge - Covered Road - Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan
Houghton to Redridge – Covered Road | photo via @yepitstimetoeat

Houghton Canal Road

Located west of Houghton, Houghton Canal Road, also known as “Covered Road” looks like something from a Lifetime movie. Yoopers will tell you the drive rivals the Tunnel of Trees and travelers can enjoy vibrant fall colors as they drive to Redridge (a ghost town), Redridge Dam, and scenic Lake Superior.

Copper Harbor to Eagle River - M-26 - Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan
Copper Harbor to Eagle River – M-26 | photo via @lifewithaglassofbubbly

M-26 | Copper Harbor to Eagle River

Running along the scenic Lake Superior, this roughly 20-mile stretch from Copper Harbor to Eagle River is absolutely beautiful. Travelers can enjoy lakeshore views on one side of the road and popping fall colors on the other and there are plenty of places to pull over and enjoy both.

RELATED: Check out more scenic fall drives in the Keweenaw Peninsula.

River Road Scenic Byway-Oscoda
River Road Scenic Byway | photo via lindsaymaerutledge

River Road Scenic Byway

Travelers in Oscoda can head west out of town on the River Road Scenic Byway (turn on East River Road) for a peaceful 22-mile journey paralleling the Au Sable River. The road extends into the Huron-Manistee National Forest, allowing travelers to enjoy beautiful vistas and eye-catching colors from numerous scenic overlooks.

H-58 | Grand Marais to Munising

This 49-mile drive on H-58 takes journeyers right through Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. One of the best parts of the drive is seeing all of the majestic waterfalls along the way, including Munising Falls, Sable Falls, and the Grand Sable Dunes, all of which make for great photo ops.

Pierce Stocking Drive-Sleeping Bear
Pierce Stocking Drive | photo via michaelbelligan

Pierce Stocking Drive | Sleeping Bear Dunes

This seven-mile route offers unparalleled views of Michigan’s famous Sleeping Bear Dunes, Lake Michigan, and the village of Glen Lake. Travelers who enjoy fall colors and one incredible view after another can stop at one (or all) scenic stops along the way, including overlooks of Glen Lake and the dunes, a covered bridge, and the Cottonwood Trail.

US-31 | Traverse City to Mackinaw City

US-31 runs for over 350 miles in Michigan, but the 100-mile drive from Petoskey to Mackinaw City is breathtaking in the fall. Michiganders and out-of-town visitors alike can enjoy a journey through small towns, bustling tourist cities, and northern forests that are perfect for showcasing fall foliage.

M-22 Fall Drive
M-22 | photo via nate_m4nis

M-22 Scenic Drive

Northern Michigan is stunningly beautiful in the fall and the M-22 scenic drive is one of the best ways to see those colorful hues of green, red, yellow, and orange. M-22 is lined with colorful forests, and small towns and takes visitors from the shore of Lake Michigan in Manistee up the coast to Traverse City. In all, the drive covers four different counties and covers over 115 miles.

M-46 | Michigan’s Thumb

M-46 runs east to west in Michigan from Port Sanilac to Muskegon. But Day Trips members say a journey on M-46 in Michigan’s Thumbcoast is unforgettable. Visitors can take side trips to various small towns — M-53 to Bad Axe and M-24 going north are good options — or continue right through the heart of the Great Lakes State to enjoy the scenery.

Fall Scenic Drive

Robinson Road

Robinson Road may be one of the very best backcountry roads to enjoy fall colors. Travelers can pick it up just east of Pellston (where Riggsville Road turns into Robinson Road) and enjoy a magnificent splash of color as they go downhill and back uphill heading into Pellston. From there, the road continues to Good Hart, providing plenty of time to soak up the beauty of fall.

Choose Your Own Adventure as You Enjoy the Beauty of a Michigan Fall

Don’t get us wrong: Michigan’s beloved Tunnel of Trees is an almost indescribable experience that should be enjoyed at least a few times during fall in Michigan.

But for those looking for something new, some of the best alternatives for seeing fall colors in Michigan can be found on backroads, under-the-radar highways, and popular destinations that are less crowded in the fall.

So whether your reason for seeking out Michigan’s vibrant fall colors, these fun alternatives will help you make the most of the season.