Welcome to Week 6 of the 12th Annual U.P. Here you will find the most up to date information on the changes of the fall colors across the Upper Peninsula. I want to thank you for sharing this page and also for those who subscribe on Substack to the Yooper Report which allows me to continue doing these U.P. Fall Color Reports each year. This info will help you track the fall colors where you plan on visiting as a casual leaf peeper, photographer, tourism agency or news station. Thanks for your support!

Driving Stats for 2025 U.P. Fall Color Report
Week 6 : 715 Miles driven: - 48 gal of gas
Week 1-6: 3525 Miles driven: - 234 gal of gas
$797 gas spend, weeks 1-6

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Overall Color Change 15% to 40%

Color change is well underway across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

There isn’t a place in the Upper Peninsula now without some color change. There are however areas which are still only seeing yellowing in the leaves with an occasional orange patch or red patch in a swath of the forests along the roadways. Keep in mind that this is color change happening even though you might just see mostly green there is color change happening in those leaves. Just take a look at the picture below at the Cliffs in the Keweenaw taken yesterday. You might be quick to say that’s green and there is no color change. There is plenty of color change happening there around 15-20% color, mostly yellow hues with some light more dull oranges mixed in. Just to the NW on the backside of this ridgeline fall color is around 25-35% color. Just below along the roadway of Cliff drive there are a lot of reds and oranges showing up and color is about 30-35% color.

The reds have really started to get brighter this week, I saw a lot of nice reds in NW Marquette county, Baraga, Houghton, and Keweenaw counties. The birch and poplar are starting to get some color in their leaves now. There wasn’t a huge jump in color but the color did get a bit brighter this week which is a good sign heading into our peak color season.

Let’s look at the outlook for Sept Temperature and Precipitation outlooks.


It doesn’t appear that the temps will be to extreme either way for fall and that is a good things when we are looking at fall color progression.


The precipitation outlook looks fine, what rain we have seen these last couple weeks shouldn’t affect the color to much or the progression of peak season brightness. Areas of Marquette county saw 1.5” to 3” of rain yesterday so there could be some areas there which could see some less colorful areas this year.

This year at my Calumet/Tamarack weather station I have seen about 11 more inches of precipitation from October 2024 to present than last year of the same period. The precipitation difference is only 2.1” more this year from June 1st to present day from last year, the biggest difference came from the amount of snowfall that my weather station had compared to last year, 331.6”(most in the U.P. 24/25) of snow compared to the 2023/24 season of only 173.1” of snow (which was the most in the UP that season).

The good thing with all that snowfall is that it has helped set us up for a bright fall color season provided we got about average rainfall and it wasn’t a very warm dry summer. A dry spring, dry, summer, hot summer, and wet fall can really be bad for fall color season. On the other hand a wet spring, wet summer, wet fall, cooler than normal summer can also affect color. This year I think we have had a good mix of weather that will provide some of the best colors in years across the Upper Peninsula as a whole.

Things to note: We aren’t far away from peak color in some places across the Upper Peninsula, no it isn’t next week. It’s important to know that first peak to last peak can be 2 weeks difference and even places as close to one or two miles from each other can be as much as 30-40% different in color percentage. Color can also be different along a ridgeline and valley based on the topography and whether it’s a north of south facing hillside.

If you are planning a trip to see the fall colors this year I would advise you to take at least 3 or 4 days for a trip and just don’t focus on one area of the U.P. make sure to check out an area that may be reaching peak, at peak, or a little past peak. You really can’t go wrong with 75% color as you still get some greens in with the color which can make for some scenic views as well. Then after peak hits the backroads become a golden glow of color and leaves start dropping on the roads and along the riverbanks with the waterfalls. Fall color peeping isn’t just taking in the views from the overlooks it is really immersing yourself in the color away from the touristy spots also. Peak color is nice but can be hard to hit especially if you’re relying on those generalized fall color graphics you see posted from random facebook pages, news agencies, etc.

Thanks for following my fall color report. I aim to give you the best analysis that I can each week. My goal is to help you make the most informed decision you can so you can enjoy the most colorful season and create some great memories from the Upper Peninsula.

Western Upper Peninsula
Overall color change: 15% to 40%

Across the western UP there has been real nice color progression with a strong uptick in colorful reds, a lot more vibrant than last year.

I took a drive up to Copper Harbor and was very surprised to see so much color change in the last 2 weeks along US41 Covered drive from Delaware to Copper Harbor, upwards of 40% . If you are a photographer or just like a pretty fall color drive this will be a beautiful and colorful drive starting around Sept 18th to the 27th. Don’t expect the color to stick around to long through as we are a bit quicker this year in color change through much of the UP including here along US41.

Brockway Mtn Drive views are very green yet at most through the eastern viewing locations over Copper Harbor towards East Bluff to be around 10-15%, moving into around 20% color more central bluffs from Keweenaw Mtn Lodge to straight on views from the West overlook. Some areas just to the west off Brockway Mtn you’ll see a little red and orange starting to pop up in the range of 25-30% color.

M26 lake drives are still very green with an occasional splash of red or orange from Copper Harbor to Eagle River.

Views from the sky from Mohawk, Phoenix, Central, Mt Horace Greeley, and Lake Medora color on the treetops is really patchy with some nice patches of color mostly around the swampy wet areas, but lots of nice reds and oranges. There is a lot of green to change yet and it’s still in the yellow hue phase of color change, I am expecting the interior portions of the Keweenaw to progress into 40-60% color by mid to late next week.

Roadside drives to Mt Bohemia and Gratiot Lake road there’s some nice oranges and reds getting brighter now, some big splashes of color, but still pretty green yet overall.

From Calumet to Hancock along US41 is very showy right now with reds and oranges should hit peak color along this stretch in about 7-9 days.

Taking M26 out of Houghton heading west you’ll see some very nice color starting with reds, oranges, and still lots of yellow hued leaves. Color starts to get good just outside of Painesdale all the way to the Ontonagon county line. Especially nice reds just before Toivola, after Trail 3 crossing of M26 to the county line. Marshy areas around Donken have some really vibrant reds some of the best reds in a couple years through this stretch. Drone views from above are showing around 35% color and some patchy 40% color spots.

Houghton to Chassell there were a lot of color changes again this week with oranges being a bit more vibrant and some reds got brighter as well. Less green more yellows are filling in after the golf course to Chassell. Great reds along the Sturgeon River Sloughs.

L’Anse to Covington jct filled in a bit more, but still a bit dull, maybe the cold temps knocked down the color a bit, still I did see it get a bit brighter around Lake Plumbago shoreline and past Canyon falls. If you are going to check out Canyon falls in the next few weeks, expect the parking lot to be pretty full.

Arvon Road outside of L’Anse has gotten a bit more colorful since over 10 days when I was last there. It now has some decent color along the entire stretch of roadway from US41 to Skanee road. Some good reds are showing up, I really enjoy this little drive plus you can stop at a bunch of waterfalls as well when you take this drive like Quartzite falls and the Black slate falls series of waterfalls.

If you are traveling along US141 from Covington Jct to Crystal falls be sure to keep an eye out for a moose, they love hanging out in the swampy areas through here when during a colder, wet, rainy, or misty day.

Porcupine Mountains is still very green or it was last week when I was there at the time the views from Lake of the Clouds was showing around 15% color, overall a pretty even color progression. A few reds popping up down along the river. I hope to get to the Porkies again the next few days along with Summit peak if I can for updates.

Ironwood, Bergland, Wakefield, Marinesco areas all have splashes of color. Copper Peak color views is roughly 25% mostly yellow hues being seen. Should see some reds and oranges starting to show up after this weekend. Higher elevations around the ski hills in the regions do show some reds and oranges but really spotty. Black river road some nice reds but still not the colorful drive people expect here yet.

US2 from Wakefield to Marinesco and all the way to Watersmeet has decent color but still a bit to go, may be hitting 30% to 40% in spots but pretty spotty yet. More color is developing now north of Iron River and Crystal falls. 141 north from Crystal falls to Covington is better further north you go.

Hwy 45 didn’t have much color all the way to Bruce Crossing. M28 from Bruce Crossing had more color but still very green, did see a handful of nice reds and oranges and lots of yellow hues to still develop.

Views around Bond Falls are still green yet with some occasional reds popping out along the roadway into Bond Falls. Views from the sky above the falls are hinting at a little orange and a couple reds but it will be over a week before it starts to get colorful around Bond Falls.

Central Upper Peninsula
Overall color change: 15% to 35%

Color is more prevalent in the western and south west areas of Marquette county than the eastern portions closer to the water. However CoRd 550 is actually getting really colorful now, just last week there were already nice reds and oranges showing up and this week it has filled in real nice. Views from Sugarloaf, Mount Marquette, Hogback, Jasper Knob are all still pretty green but with some color now showing up but still a lot of yellow hues, this should start changing middle of next week.

Co Road 510 has some really nice reds showing up a great drive right now that will only get better in the next week to 10 days all the way up to Big Bay.

Any areas north of Champion, Ishpeming, and Negaunee should be getting some nice color in the next week.

Areas out near Michigamme have started to get some brighter reds along the ridges and swampy areas. Van Riper State Park to West Ishpeming there is now some oranges and reds appearing but still not close to getting really nice, but color is there.

If you want the chance to even see a moose this fall Michigamme to Clarksburg is your best bet along US41, a rainy, misty, colder day is when you’ll most likely see them outside of the swampy interior areas of the Michigamme highlands and Peshekee grade.

There is some nice color starting to show up around Republic some areas from sky views are showing around 30% fall color this last week. Republic to Sagola colors like reds and oranges are starting to pop a little especially those reds along the swampy areas or along lakes and ponds.

Southern half of the central UP color is out there but it still has way to go, but there are reds that are showing up but seem a little dull right now in most places.

Marquette to Munising most color is off the water a little after Sand Point and to Au Train. Then as you get closer to Christmas color starts to pop a little again. Around Munising itself color is pretty green except further south. In the southern facing slopes there’s a bit more color around 25% maybe some patches of 30%. Most of the better color is further south near Wetmore and even heading along 94 from Munising to Chatham gives you a decent color show but still a lot of yellows but there are some reds that got brighter this week.

Along the Seney stretch there’s some red popping up but it isn’t until you get past McMillian until you start seeing a bit more color all the way to I75. Further north of M28 color is spotty especially closer to Lake Superior, but some oranges and reds are getting a bit brighter now.

Eastern Upper Peninsula counties
Overall color change: 15% to 30%

From Grand Marais to Seney there’s some nice reds showing up, especially near the swampy areas.

Further south of M28 all the way to Lake Michigan shoreline there is color reds aren’t as prevalent but some are showing up off M77 after Germfask to Blaney park. Seeing some color along the shorelines of Manistique lake. Along US2 from Gulliver to Blaney Park there’s some patchy color but not much red right now.

Tahquamenon falls area doesn’t have much color right now, lots of yellow hues but not much to get excited about yet. May be as late as Oct 3rd weekend before color starts to get really good along the river which fits in with my peak predictions for the eastern UP.

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If the UP Fall Color Report helped you plan your UP Fall Color Adventure please consider supporting through Paypal any $$ amount or through Venmo: funintheup
You can also join me on a Guided UP Adventure UpperPeninsulaTours.com

Thanks for following the FunintheUP UP Fall Color Report, 11 years running.


Share your fall color photos fall @ funintheup.com or just message the FunintheUP facebook page.

Thanks for following the U.P. Fall Color Report, check back weekly for updates.
--Yooper Steve - U.P. Tour Guide::Photographer::Filmmaker

FunintheUP on Instagram - FunintheUP on Facebook
Yooper Steve Instagram - Yooper Steve Facebook - Yooper Steve

Welcome to Week 5 of the 12th Annual U.P. Here you will find the most up to date information on the changes of the fall colors across the Upper Peninsula. I want to thank you for sharing this page and also for those who subscribe on Substack to the Yooper Report which allows me to continue doing these U.P. Fall Color Reports each year. This info will help you track the fall colors where you plan on visiting as a casual leaf peeper, photographer, tourism agency or news station. Thanks for your support!

Driving Stats for 2025 U.P. Fall Color Report
Week 5 : 650 Miles driven: - 43 gal of gas
Week 1-5: 2810 Miles driven: - 186 gal of gas

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Overall Color Change 5% to 20%

Every day now color is getting better and better, still in our early stages but peak color is creeping up and will be here a bit faster than I think I even expect it. This last week really has me excited for a beautiful and bright colorful season from what I saw driving around this last week especially in Marquette, Baraga, Houghton, and Ontonagon counties. I saw for the first time this season some really nice reds, not just a few trees here and there, but a lot of nice reds, some trees were full color of red or mostly red, lots of brighter oranges also appearing. Last year at this time the reds were really dull and mostly dark crimson but this season they are starting to pop.

I’ve been seeing facebook posts where people are sharing these general fall color maps that are telling people fall colors start on such and such a date, peak fall color is going to be this date and this date for this region or this region. Take everything you see from these random facebook pages and websites with a grain of salt, especially with predictions of fall color peak. They are very generalized in their maps, the U.P. of Michigan is a very nuanced topography especially with two of the largest bodies of freshwater bordering the Upper Peninsula. It’s a lot like snowfall data, an area that is 1 or 2 miles away from an area that is hitting peak color may only be reaching 60-70% color.

Western Upper Peninsula
Overall color change: 5% to 20%

Areas along US41 from Calumet to Copper Harbor are starting to give way to mostly yellow hued maples, with patches of reds starting to pop up along the covered sections of US41 from Delaware to Keweenaw Mountain Lodge.

Hancock to Calumet on US41 has a lot of trees that have started to give some color, plenty of reds along wetter areas are really getting bright red and orange now. Backroads in the area are also showing some nice color, not a lot but a big increase from the previous week.

Anywhere in the Keweenaw (Allouez and north to Copper Harbor) that is along Lake Superior is very green with an occasional yellow or orange patch popping up.

The reds are getting bright now along Gratiot Rd and Lac La Belle Rd are looking nice, higher up the color is better but once you reach about 800 feet in elevation color starts to drop off.

M26 from Painesdale to the Houghton county line is progressing a bit faster than last year, this is one of the best areas outside of Houghton for a color ridge if you want to stay on the main highways. Agate Beach and Misery Bay areas have color but closer to the lake less color of course, but there are some oranges showing up along Misery Bay rd and some brighter reds.

From Greenland to Ontonagon the color isn’t real bright yet but color is starting to show now especially around Greenland and M38 jct. The hills along the Firesteel rivers are starting to get some color now moving from mostly light yellow hue into a more full yellow hues with some oranges and reds starting to be seen.

Porcupine Mountains as a whole is very green but along South Boundary road a few reds are starting to show up along with a handful of oranges and lots of yellow hued leaves. Higher elevations of course seeing most of the color change right now. If you’re visiting Lake of the Clouds right now don’t expect to see much color, but there is a tiny bit showing up along the lake and river, usually the reds are the first to show themselves. Lake of the Clouds views don’t offer many reds during peak usually, but this year I think there will be a few more popping up. If you really want the reds you need to travel into the interior portions of the Porkies along South Boundary road and you’ll see more from Summit Peak overlook so keep that in mind when visiting. I myself like Summit Peak overlook better than Lake of the Clouds during fall color season, on a clear day you can see WI, MN, Canada, and Isle Royale.

Along M38 from Baraga to M26 you’ll see more color the further you head west starting around the turn to Pelkie all the way to M26. There isn’t a lot but what I’ve seen has been promising with some brighter oranges and some patches of red showing up in some trees along the lakes and marshy areas.

L’Anse to Skanee still has a lot of green from 2 weeks ago however there is a big difference, some oranges are now being seen with some occasional reds popping up. A little color along the Silver river, mostly noticing some oranges. Silver falls is usually a nice stop during fall color season. Arvon road from Skanee to US41 has a lot more color from 2 weeks ago when I was there, most of the better color so far was further west from Quartzite falls the Silver river.

From Ironwood to Watersmeet along US2 you’ll see a handful of colorful trees, some decent red color showing up now which is nice to see.

Views from Mt Zion and Copper Peak you’re seeing a lot of yellow in the tree tops now and some occasional reds and oranges if you’re looking closely. Some nice reds popping up along Black River road. M64 from M28 to US2 wasn’t to colorful yet just a lot of yellow hues a few reds here and there.

Bergland to Trout Creek wasn’t very exciting just a lot of green, but that’s expected this time of the season with a lot of poplar through this region. You’ll see more color as you’re past Bruce Crossing to Trout Creek.

US41 from Covington Jct to Michigamme

Bond falls area you’ll see a few reds and most trees now have yellow hues with some occasional oranges. You don’t want to miss Bond Falls if you’ve never been there, it’s a Michigan Scenic site. I recommend parking at the top by the reservoir and then hiking down along the trail on either side, left side is easier. If you have health issues with legs, back, or need wheelchair access park at the main parking lot below the falls and you’ll have a nice boardwalk to the base of the main waterfall for great views.

Central Upper Peninsula
Overall color change: 5% to 15%

Western Marquette county from Michigamme to Champion there’s color starting to pop out mostly seeing hues of yellow and some oranges. I didn’t see a lot of changes yet along Lake Michigamme or along the Spurr River, just some duller oranges and yellows and a few reds but they weren’t to bright yet. Interior portions along the Peshekee river have a handful of reds popping out and some decent color starting to be seen along the Huron Bay grade further up towards McCormick track. Heading up along CoRd 550 from Marquette to Big Bay it was surprising to see as much color as I did, plenty of yellows, orange and some nice reds starting to appear. Further up near Big Bay there are some nice reds popping up in patches. Views from Thomas Rock (Gobblers Knob) there was a lot of green on the tree tops but you can see that the yellow hues are starting to really appear, some reds, and oranges mixed in the forest further off Lake Superior.

Views around McClure dam were really green but you can see some reds starting to show up as well as some orange, no where near what people expect from this area yet. A lot of people like to take in the views off the new 510 bridge but beware there is only about 2 feet between the road and where you stand along the edge of the bridge and you could get hit by a vehicle so use extra caution when taking in the views.

Any views off of Mount Marquette will be very green and yellow for another 2 weeks at least, but each day it’s getting better. There’s more color heading up towards the Crossroads and taking 480 towards Negaunee. M35 heading south you’ll see a little color around Goose Lake.

Munising area color is starting to show a little reds but mostly off the lake further inland. There’s some hints of orange throughout most backroads and most roads you’ll see a lot of yellow hued leaves.

Heading west of of Munising along 94 there is color but mostly yellows and oranges all the way to Chatham, a few reds are mixed in. Munising to Shingleton some red is being seen but a lot of green still. Seney stretch has some reds in the swampy areas.

Shingleton to Manistique there’s some color but not to prevalent yet, mostly around the lakes and wet swampy areas. Manistique to Germfask was really green yet but some reds starting to show up and some nice orange between Gulliver and Blaney Park.

Escanaba to Iron Mountain mostly seeing yellow hues and oranges with some reds but most are a bit muted, you’re able to get a little taste of fall but a lot of green yet. Oranges and reds are very sporadic and patchy further south of Iron Mountain

Eastern Upper Peninsula counties
Overall color change: 5% to 10%

Interior portions of Chippewa, Mackinac, and Luce counties have most of the color close to Lake Superior and Lake Michigan less color. Some red starting to show up from McMillian to Newberry with a little bit of color now showing up around Tahquamenon falls.

Pockets of color around Mcleods corner, Strongs Corner, and Trout Creek, not much red yet but more oranges and yellows, still a lot of green to change.

A few tree tops from the Cut River bridge are showing some orange a few hints of dull reds too. You can see a lot of yellow hues in the tree tops now, another 2 weeks it should be pretty decent color but at least 3 weeks for a good color show here.

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If the UP Fall Color Report helped you plan your UP Fall Color Adventure please consider supporting through Paypal any $$ amount or through Venmo: funintheup
You can also join me on a Guided UP Adventure UpperPeninsulaTours.com

Thanks for following the FunintheUP UP Fall Color Report, 11 years running.


Share your fall color photos fall @ funintheup.com or just message the FunintheUP facebook page.

Thanks for following the U.P. Fall Color Report, check back weekly for updates.
--Yooper Steve - U.P. Tour Guide::Photographer::Filmmaker

FunintheUP on Instagram - FunintheUP on Facebook
Yooper Steve Instagram - Yooper Steve Facebook - Yooper Steve

Welcome to Week 4 of the 12th Annual U.P. Here you will find the most up to date information on the changes of the fall colors across the Upper Peninsula. I want to thank you for sharing this page and also for those who subscribe on Substack to the Yooper Report which allows me to continue doing these U.P. Fall Color Reports each year. This info will help you track the fall colors where you plan on visiting as a casual leaf peeper, photographer, tourism agency or news station. Thanks for your support!

Driving Stats for 2025 U.P. Fall Color Report
Week 4 : 470 Miles driven: - 31 gal of gas
Week 1-4: 2160 Miles driven: - 143 gal of gas

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Last weekend it really started to feel and look like fall. Cool daytime temps and some light rains, low snow clouds in the sky, bone chilling cold, we all know that feeling, fall is in the air. I think people are going to be really surprised how fast fall color will come and go this year. Peak fall color can be 3 weeks from one year to the next. If you’re following this weekly report you’ll have the best chance to catch it. Peak color doesn’t change evenly across the UP, the topography and microclimates of the UP give you the ability to catch peak color in one area if you miss it in another as long as you give yourself time for your fall color peeping trip.

This week there was more orange appearing and many of the maples starting to show deeper yellow hues in the leaves, especially across the western U.P. with the eastern U.P. slightly behind, but that’s usually the case.

Soil, for how much rain we have had is actually pretty dry, except in the deeper layers of the forests and around the swampy areas. Looking at the drought map the Upper Peninsula looks to be clear of any drought conditions.

The cooler weather looks to stick around in the latest NOAA temperature outlook.

As long as we don’t see much rain in the next couple weeks and we don’t get to many days consecutively above 75 degrees we should be in for a beautiful fall color year.

Keweenaw and Houghton county
Lots of color showing up, just drive down any main highway or backcountry road and you’ll see color appearing. Areas along Lake Superior not so much, which is always the case. US41 to Copper Harbor color is popping up now more from Central to Copper Harbor, covered road has a few reds and oranges showing in the tree tops and still pretty green. Roads like Gratiot road and Eagle Harbor cutoff road have color, more on Gratiot road, and higher up in elevation along both roads. Treetops are showing some changes, lots of yellow hues now throughout the main corridor of US41 from 1000ft to 1500ft in elevation.

Traprock valley and Lake Linden are still really green but there’s a lot of yellow hues and a handful of orange and minimal reds making an appearance around the area as of this week. M26 from Lake Linden to Hancock there are a handful of trees that have orange on them.

Houghton to Chassell had a good jump in color more than a dozen trees now with good patches of color and lots with some brighter yellow hues and patches of orange with a few reds starting to show up.

South Range to Donken there’s a lot of trees with color, many of the same areas that show color this time of the year are slightly ahead of where they were last year and I am noticing more trees with oranges and some reds starting to show up and get a bit brighter this last week. Right after the Mosquito Inn all the way to the Firesteel rivers can be some of the best reds in the UP and I am assuming based on what I’ve been seeing for progression this year it might just be a very colorful section of road again this season.

Baraga County
Haven’t seen a lot of progression this last week from the previous, but don’t worry many areas across the county can change really fast as the county has some of the higher elevations of any UP county, once the cold starts arriving leaves can change very fast.

Gogebic County and Iron County
Plenty of yellow hues showing up now as expected. Look for some reds showing up now along Black river road from the airport to the harbor. Areas from Ironwood to Marinesco got a bit brighter but still not a lot of reds showing up but a few more orange patches closer to Marinesco.

CoRd 519 from Wakefield to Presque Isle river has some red showing up, patchy oranges and plenty of yellow hues in the leaves. I think this will be a wonderful drive this year along with South Boundary road into the Porkies.

Starting to see some reds popping up from Watersmeet to Iron River along US2, and also to Crystal Falls. Decent amount of trees on FH16 from US2 to Kenton, but still a lot of yellows to change into oranges and reds.

Marquette County
The county as a whole doesn’t have a lot of change yet. Views from Sugarloaf and Mount Marquette are very green but you do see some yellowing now in the leaves. Saw a few trees on the drive up with some orange but understory was very green. CoRd 480 from Neguanee to Crossroads there wasn’t much color, but I did find a bit more further south along M35, 565, and 476. Views off Jasper knob weren’t showing much color yet still a lot of green and yellow hues.

County road 510 did have a bit more color from the previous week. I didn’t go up very far but I did see some trees with some reds but not really bright yet. I’d expect based on previous years at this time if you went all the way to Big Bay you’d see a handful of trees with some reds starting. I really like this drive for fall color it’s usually really colorful every year and there’s a lot of good tree cover over the roadway almost like a covered drive as you drive down what is sometimes a rough gravel and dirt road. There’s plenty of waterfalls along this stretch to stop at also if you enjoy waterfalls.

Eastern UP
Color is pretty dull from Harvey to Munising along M28 right now, a little color off the road by the creeks, rivers, and wet marshy areas from Au Train to Munising. Around Wetmore you’ll see more color further away from Lake Superior, not a lot but a few oranges are starting to be seen with an occasional red along lakes and rivers and those wet areas. Between Shingleton and Steuben there’s some orange popping up but not really seeing the reds yet. M28 from Shingleton to Newberry color is still progressing but mostly yellow hues and lots of green, most color between Seney and McMillian. Some yellow leaves falling off trees in the interior portions of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Still a lot of green near Tahquamenon falls state park and closer along the lake near Paradise and Whitefish Bay. Blaney Park to St. Ignace is very green not a lot to report. Interior portions of the far eastern UP near Eckerman, Trout Lake, and Rudyard have a few reds showing along with a little orange here and there. A lot of green yet but there is that yellow hue being seen in the tree leaves of most maples and a few oaks.

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If the UP Fall Color Report helped you plan your UP Fall Color Adventure please consider supporting through Paypal any $$ amount or through Venmo: funintheup
You can also join me on a Guided UP Adventure UpperPeninsulaTours.com

Thanks for following the FunintheUP UP Fall Color Report, 11 years running.


Share your fall color photos fall @ funintheup.com or just message the FunintheUP facebook page.

Thanks for following the U.P. Fall Color Report, check back weekly for updates.
--Yooper Steve - U.P. Tour Guide::Photographer::Filmmaker

FunintheUP on Instagram - FunintheUP on Facebook
Yooper Steve Instagram - Yooper Steve Facebook - Yooper Steve

Welcome to Week 3 of the 12th Annual U.P. Fall Color Report brought to you by me, Yooper Steve of FunintheUP.com. Thank you to those who are subscribing to the Yooper Report I am so grateful to have your support so I can keep putting gas in the Ford Explorer to bring these reports to those who love UP Fall colors.

Week 3 : 450 Miles driven: - 30 gal of gas
Week 1-3: 1690 Miles driven: - 112 gal of gas

So what do warm overcast days and cooler nights lead to, that’s right some beautiful fall colors. After a few warm days last week we have been seeing some very nice and comfortable August days. I sure do like the months of August, September, and October. I think those three months give you some of the most enjoyable weather of any 3 consecutive months here in the Upper Peninsula. You get beautiful warm summer days, cool summer evenings, gold and red leaves gracefully falling from the tree tops, dry leaves crunching underneath your feet on your hike to a remote waterfall, cool crisp evenings as peak fall color starts to arrive, the first frost that reminds you that snow is on the way. Oh and I almost forgot the beginning of Gale force winds which agitate Lake Superior in ways that put a chill down the spine of even the most seasoned sailor.

Fall is coming, I think faster than last year, at least it appears that way.

Please note you will start seeing lots of posts that will be predicting peak fall color, you’ll notice many if not all of them will be very generalized. I am not out to get the most clicks as possible, but I am writing because I want you to have the best information which will help get you to those places where beautiful fall color is at the time of your visit. Now I am not perfect, nor can I cover every square mile of the U.P. I just don’t have that ability, I am not omnipresent.

Keweenaw and Houghton county
Color change continues reds are popping up more and more each week. Most roads you’ll see some reds, mostly crimson color, but a few patches of brighter reds appearing now.

Color along the lake in the Keweenaw is mostly green with a few hues of yellow appearing now on M26 and Eagle Harbor cutoff road. Gratiot road has a few more reds and oranges from 2 weeks ago when I last drove it. Tree tops are starting to show a lot of yellow hues across most of the Keweenaw but green still dominates.

A few trees are showing signs of color change if you’re driving on US41 from Mohawk to Copper Harbor, much of the color I saw was from Mohawk to Delaware. Cliff drive had splashes of dull yellows and some more crimson reds than last week just past Seneca lake to Gratiot river bridge, beyond that along the cliffs just some dull yellow hues.

Calumet area off Tamarack waterworks road there are a few trees with some oranges and saw one tree with some bright red patches, other than that still really green. US41 from Calumet to Hancock there’s the usual reds along the wet marshy areas, no real bright reds yet. Airport road has more crimson reds appearing each week.

Drive out to Rabbit Bay from Lake Linden is very green, it isn’t until you get closer to the lake when you actually start seeing more color, why is that, cooler temps on that side of the peninsula, the day I was out there it was about 74 degrees in Lake Linden and about 62 degrees at Rabbit Bay. From Lake Linden to Hancock mostly yellow hues with some oranges starting to appear from Mason to Ripley, most color is from Dollar Bay to Ripley along this stretch on the Portage Lake side of the highway.

South Range to Twin Lakes is the same as it usually is this time of the year, most of the trees I notice yearly are showing about the same colors of red, oranges, and yellows, might be slightly more color for week three than last year, seeing a bit more color from Painesdale to Toivola, especially reds, but not bright yet.

Houghton to Chassell I saw some oranges, didn’t really notice to many reds until Chassell, beyond Chassell to Baraga wasn’t much of anything but some dull yellows.

Baraga County
Arvon road has color but much like last weeks update, not much has changed in the report, I would say the same for the L’Anse to Covington jct stretch, just some yellow hues with a few orange splotches, very few reds seen. Did seem like the trees along Plumbago lake were a bit more yellow than last week.

Covington to Kenton there wasn’t much to be seen for color just yellow hues. Driving around the backroads of the Ottawa National Forest and FH16 I did see a few oranges and reds and lots of yellows starting to appear.

Ontonagon County
Really not much to report just some yellow hues in most roads across the county. I never made it to Lake of the Clouds like I wanted to this past week, I’ll be trying to get there and more places in the county this week.

Gogebic County and Iron County
Some reds starting to pop up off Black river road and over by Powderhorn ski hill, not a lot but a few. Plenty of yellow hues on most trees across the Wakefield and Ironwood areas, can see some yellows across Sunday lake. M28 from Wakefield to Bruce Crossing wasn’t very exciting, most of the color I saw, very little of it was closer to Wakefield and Bergland.

There’s some color starting to pop up like oranges in the western Iron county regions near Iron River to Watersmeet along US41.

Marquette County
Drives along CoRd 510 heading north was showing some signs of fall, yellows, some orange and some reds further you go up, but nothing spectacular yet, should be a couple weeks for some nice reds to start popping up along this stretch. CoRd 550 from Big Bay to Marquette is very green with some yellow hued leaves starting to show up. Views from Sugarloaf or Hogback are beautiful as always but tree tops very green but you can see some yellow hued tree tops. Expect very green trees from Harvey heading east along M28, more color starting as you head south on US41 towards Trenary.

Eastern UP
Not a lot of exciting color change further east yet. Most of the color changes are along the swampy and wet areas along roads and closer to the lakes and rivers.

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Thanks for following the U.P. Fall Color Report, check back weekly for updates.
--Yooper Steve - U.P. Tour Guide::Photographer::Filmmaker

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Welcome to week 2 of the 12th Annual UP Fall Color Report. This is the #1 place for information on the changes of fall across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Driving Stats for 2025 U.P. Fall Color Report

Week 2 : 590 Miles driven: - 39 gal of gas

Week 1-2: 1240 Miles driven: - 82 gal of gas

This week was a pretty warm week with temps in the low 80s a couple days with 70-90% humidity which made it a bit sticky in the interior areas of the Upper Peninsula. With all the rain we have had even if things do stay on the warmer side the next couple weeks it shouldn’t hinder color change much, it should be really vibrant this year. The soil is really moist which should allow the trees produce some nice steady color change. As soon as it starts to really cool down look for some vibrant color to start appearing.

We are seeing more blue skies once again after the wildfire smoke has moved out for the most part, currently the worst is Houghton with an air quality index of 102 as of 11pm Aug 12th.

Check air quality where you live - AirNow Fire and Smoke map

There is plenty of color change if you’re looking for it the leaves of many maples and oak are now showing plenty of yellow hues, very noticeable changes from last week. Everywhere I went I saw some crimson reds with plenty of yellow and some orange appearing now. It is still really green and will be for awhile as the 8-14 day temperature outlook looks to be about normal so don’t expect to much change these next couple weeks. Compared to last year at this time overall I would say we are maybe 4 or 5 days ahead in color progression, by this weekend I am expecting there be movement into the single digit percentages for color change.

If you would like to continue reading please consider becoming a paid subscriber which helps support my weekly travels in the fall to bring you the 12th Annual U.P. Fall Color Report, the best color report you’ll find anywhere. News stations, tourism agencies, photographers, and leaf-peepers from across the US read the Yooper Report for U.P. Fall Color changes each week.

I haven’t made it out of the 4 counties below this week or last due to other projects or leading tours. This week is looking good for being able to get out a bit further. Already put over 1200 miles on in two weeks and there’s at least 8-10 weeks left to go. Hopefully we don’t see a lot of hot weather anymore, I think with the wet soil across much of the UP right now in combination with those warm days and cooler nights we really should start seeing some vibrant colors really early.

Houghton and Keweenaw counties There is a little color now starting to appear across most major highways and county roads and along the backroads. North of Hancock on US41 I’m seeing some yellows starting to show up and some orange yellows on some trees as well. It isn’t until you get out near Mohawk to Central that you’re seeing a bit more color on US41 before the snow thermometer. Off Central road some yellows are being seen. Traveling down Gratiot road to Gratiot lake I saw a few some red leaves and a good amount of yellows. Starting to see more dark crimson reds along Airport road from Dollar Bay to the airport. From Painesdale to Twin Lakes there are oranges and yellows appearing but not in great numbers. The crimson reds on the maples in the Donken swamps are big more pronounced than last year at this time. From Dollar Bay to Ripley there are a few trees with some yellows and oranges. South boundary road outside of Houghton has some trees that are starting to show some color, I expect some good color here this season. Heading down Misery bay road there wasn’t much color just some spots here and there and color near the beaver dam area where I did the video in July.

Baraga and Marquette counties Marquette county areas which I drove didn’t have much color. Driving down 480 just a couple trees with some yellows, went up to the 510 bridge and there was a ton of green didn’t notice much except the yellow hues in the maples starting to appear. I didn’t get a chance to go up 510, maybe I’ll get the 510 and 550 loop in for the next report. CR 581 had some reds and yellows appearing but really sparce but lots of yellow hued leaves. There was a little yellow around Michigamme to Champion but not much color beyond that along US41 heading towards Marquette.

Baraga county along Arvon road surprisingly didn’t show much of anything, just a few trees had yellow, I was really expecting some changes. Heading up to the Rock cut things were looking really green, I wanted to get the drone up for a big open view to see how things were going on the tree tops but maybe next week. From L’Anse to Alberta not many trees with color, but some trees along the shores of Plumbago lake appear to be getting lots of yellow hues now. It isn’t until you pass Covington Jct on US41 that you start to see more yellows and some orange showing up, but no really good patches of color yet. The rest of the way on 41 it’s super green a few tips of tree branches with some yellows, but plenty of yellow hued leaves on the maples. Along Skanee road I didn’t see much but yellow hues in the leaves, not patches of color showing up yet, last year if I remember this roadway took awhile for it to get colorful, I would expect once the temps start dropping color show really start to pop pretty quick with all that saturated soil from the rains in July.

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If the UP Fall Color Report helped you plan your UP Fall Color Adventure please consider supporting through Paypal any $$ amount or through Venmo: funintheup
You can also join me on a Guided UP Adventure UpperPeninsulaTours.com

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Share your fall color photos fall @ funintheup.com or just message the FunintheUP facebook page.

Thanks for following the U.P. Fall Color Report, check back weekly for updates.
--Yooper Steve - U.P. Tour Guide::Photographer::Filmmaker

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Welcome to week 1 of the 12th Annual UP Fall Color Report. This is the #1 place for information on the changes of fall across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Driving Stats for 2025 UP Fall Color Report
Week 1: Miles driven: 650 miles - 43 gal of gas


Welcome back all you leaf peepers, photographers, news anchors, weathermen/women and to all others who enjoy some good fall color. This is the start to another year of the U.P. Fall Color Report, the 12th Annual.

I am so grateful to have all you subscribers here to support these fall color reports, I’ve been doing these reports to help people become of aware of the fall color progression across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Be aware I can’t be in all places, I try to cover the major spots and other cool spots that people might find enjoyable for fall color viewing. This report is just a guide so treat it as such, but I do take pride in providing you the best information through written word, photos, and videos, live videos and fall color reports online. Thanks for being here and supporting my work.

I am excited for fall colors once again as I know many of you are, who doesn’t love some beautiful color change. However let’s not forget there are plenty of warmer to enjoy, sunshine to soak up. Vitamin D is great for your health, UV, no, red light, yes. In fact we as a society aren’t getting enough vitamin D in our bodies and it is a big reason why we have a lot of inflammation and health issues, anyway sunshine is great for you in many ways, enjoy the last couple months of sunshine it will be at a premium starting early October.

The first color I usually spot is in the middle of July, it’s usually just a small batch of leaves on a tree somewhere along a highway or backroads. This year I noticed a lot of the maples in the wet areas along the roads and highways starting to show a little crimson and some trees even showing some yellows and oranges. The video below was taken along Misery Bay road on July 21st.

Video post on this spot on Facebook July 21st

Judi Mouser says via Facebook “My hubby and I just noticed a couple of small red leaves just starting to turn on the tips of a sugar maple tree or two yesterday on a walk”. July 21st

Ronna Ferris via Facebook “We have yellow and a lil red here in A2 seems like it's been coming earlier and earlier each year. Or it's that type of tree”. July 21st.

I started to notice more Maroon fall color appearing July 24th. (Facebook video)

On July 24th Eileen Harrand comments “Some color along M35 between Cedar River and Menominee”.

July 24th Michael B. Fitzpatrick says “Maples turning red on M94 east of US41 in Marquette county. via Facebook comment

I didn’t venture outside of Keweenaw or Houghton counties last week, but where I went I saw plenty of maroon and crimson appearing on the maples in wet areas along the highways and backroads. I also started to notice more yellows and oranges appearing in larger groupings of leaves.

I also noticed a lot of yellow hues are starting to come through on the maple leaves. When examining some of the leaves up close I could see some of the leaves compared to ones right next to them with more yellow hues and some with hints of red appearing in the leaves, (exposure of the anthocyanin in the leaves).

No matter the temps, rainfall or lack thereof fall color starts to appear more or less right around the middle of July into the last week of July. You can’t really travel across the U.P. and not notice the changes in the leaves. The leaves just don’t suddenly change it’s a process some years faster than others, but then again if you’re not looking for the changes you won’t see the changes in the leaves.

Weather is the driving factor in color change, we all know that warm days and cool nights, diminishing sunlight through the day play large roles in color change. What people don’t realize is spring weather and summer weather also affect color change.

Here’s some observations I have noticed since I have been doing these reports and granted I haven’t been logging or really doing a “study” on color change other than my own observations and writing this UP Fall Color Report for the last 12 years.

Dull fall color season - early dry spring, hot and dry summer, late fall rainfall

Colorful fall color season - warm and wet spring, mild summer, average summer rainfall, cooler nights starting late July early August, little rainfall late July and early August, very little rain and warmer days early August

Early fall color season - late snowfall into April early May, warm to hot summer, average rainfall

Late fall color season - late snowfall into late April and May, wet and warm spring, wet or average summer rainfall dry August and cooler than average

So after all that you might be asking what do I (Yooper Steve) think this fall color season will be like. Well I would say it will be an awesome fall color season. You might ask yourself why would I say that? Certainly fall colors may be dull or they will be bright, or just average, right? Well when you look at the Upper Peninsula it’s a huge land mass, when people think of the U.P. both those who live here and those who are not from the U.P. of Michigan, people tend to think small, the U.P. is anything but small. There’s a lot of land to cover, the terrain varies greatly from the west to east, north to south, and we also have lots of lakes, rivers, creeks, along with two of the largest bodies of freshwater in the world as well, these along with weather from spring, summer, and early fall also affect color changes.

Now what about the wildfires in Canada isn’t early fall color change an effect of the wildfire smoke from Canada? In theory it could, but I haven’t looked into it much and came across a study done in 2010. Physiological Effects of Smoke Exposure on Deciduous and Conifer Tree Species

Some might argue that color change early like this is due to smoke blocking out the sun and I would argue it isn’t enough to make a difference, especially as far away as we are in the UP. With just a little searching I didn’t see any studies that were dedicated to smoke and fall color change, nor much that showed how smoke may interfere with photosynthesis and the production of chlorophyll in leaves. Trees can breathe in and out at the same time unlike us humans we can only do one or the other not together. Is the smoke thick enough for the leaves to close their pores? Is the smoke thick enough to cause the trees to shut down chlorophyll production? Is the smoke thick enough to block the sunshine that stops trees from getting enough sunlight for photosynthesis and keep chlorophyll production going?

I’ve seen color change happen every year this early without smoke from wildfires so that doesn’t hold much weight, not saying it has nothing to do with color changes but let’s see some studies then we can analyze it. Color change rate has more to do with temperatures through the day and night getting closer to fall, along with what the weather has been like from spring into early fall and how wet it has been from the spring to fall.

So with all that said, there will always be excellent fall color in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Every year, somewhere it will be the best peak color you’ve seen and in others it will be dull. Don’t think small, think large, but don’t say the U.P. had terrible fall colors this year or any year, if you do I’ll ask you where you went, you’ll need to back it up, because I travel thousands of miles every fall analyzing the fall color changes and every year. I see dull color and I see awesome fall color, it just matters the year and where you went, but every year I see some awesome fall color somewhere in the Upper Peninsula.

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If the UP Fall Color Report helped you plan your UP Fall Color Adventure please consider supporting through Paypal any $$ amount or through Venmo: funintheup
You can also join me on a Guided UP Adventure UpperPeninsulaTours.com

Thanks for following the FunintheUP UP Fall Color Report, 11 years running.


Share your fall color photos fall @ funintheup.com or just message the FunintheUP facebook page.

Thanks for following the U.P. Fall Color Report, check back weekly for updates.
--Yooper Steve - U.P. Tour Guide::Photographer::Filmmaker

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