01
River Road National Scenic Byway
Designated National Forest Scenic Byway above the AuSable canyon. Five overlooks, four with vault toilets. Peak Sep 22–28.
On land · Free · 3 routes
Season · September – October
Fall Color.
River Road (M-65) above the AuSable, US-23 from Tawas to Alpena, and the Sunrise Side Scenic Heritage Route. Peak is the third week of September inland, the first of October on the lake.
River Road · October
Routes
3
100+ miles total
Peak inland
Sep 19–28
Hubbard Lake · AuSable
Peak on lake
Oct 1–10
US-23 from Tawas north
Best species
Sugar maple
Plus red oak · birch · aspen
The three routes · 3 drives
Three drives, peak in three different weeks.
Curated by Sunrise Coast Council editors. Routes, sites, and pull-offs from south to north along US-23.
02
US-23 Sunrise Side
The coast road itself. Beaches on the right, maples on the left, a lighthouse every 20 miles. Peak Oct 1–10.
03
Sunrise Side Heritage Route
Inland from Alpena, west through Hillman elk country, north to the Straits. Peak Sep 25 – Oct 5.
04
Hubbard Lake loop
A pleasant lake loop with hardwoods coming right down to the shore. Best photo: the southwest corner at 8 AM.
Two peaks, two weeks apart
A lake-made autumn.
Lake Huron stays warmer than the inland forests through September — the surface temperature is still 65° in mid-October. That warmth radiates into the coastal forests, which means the maples right on the lake hold their leaves later. Inland — even fifteen miles back — the color peaks a week and a half earlier.
You can use this. Drive the AuSable inland the third week of September, then come back to the coast and drive US-23 the first week of October, and you've caught peak twice. Pull-off pavilions along River Road are staffed weekends with cider and donuts.
Sep 22
Inland peak
Oct 5
Lake peak
11 days
Average gap
Fall Color · two peaks, two weeks apart
"The lake makes its own season. The trees inland have already gone red while the maples at the shore are still green."— Michigan DNR fall color report, 2024
Gear & know before you go
What to bring, what's provided.
When to go
- Weekday morning — empty roads
- Bring rain gear — Oct is wet
- Pre-check DNR color map weekly
- Tuesday through Thursday = no crowds
Stops worth making
- Lumberman's Monument overlook
- Iargo Springs 300-step boardwalk
- 40 Mile Point Lighthouse beach
- Headlands Park observatory
Cider on the way
- Westwind Mill, Oscoda
- Heart's Content, Alpena
- Pure Mitten Cidery, Hillman
- Mackinaw Bay Trading, Cheboygan
Questions · 4 answers
Fall Color on the coast — questions.
Quick answers to what travelers ask most.
Q.01
Is fall color good on Michigan's Sunrise Coast?
Yes — River Road (M-65) above the AuSable, US-23 from Tawas to Alpena, and the Sunrise Side Scenic Heritage Route. Peak is the third week of September inland, the first of October on the lake.
Q.02
When is the best time of year for fall color on the Sunrise Coast?
The recommended season for fall color on Michigan's Sunrise Coast is September – October. Routes: 3 — 100+ miles total.
Q.03
Where can I fall color on the Sunrise Coast?
3 drives along the 200-mile coast. A standout option: River Road National Scenic Byway — M-65 · 22 mi · 90 min. Designated National Forest Scenic Byway above the AuSable canyon. Five overlooks, four with vault toilets. Peak Sep 22–28.
Q.04
What gear or preparation do I need for fall color on the Sunrise Coast?
When to go: Weekday morning — empty roads; Bring rain gear — Oct is wet; Pre-check DNR color map weekly; Tuesday through Thursday = no crowds.