Pictured Rocks Fall: Where to See Stunning Fall Colors in 2025
Almost nothing in the world is as picturesque as a Pictured Rocks Fall.
The autumn colors make the already-gorgeous multicolored cliffs pop, making this a fantastic fall destination. If you’re planning the ultimate fall foliage excursion, you’ve come to the right place!
Best Time to See the Pictured Rocks Fall Colors
If you’re going somewhere specifically for fall colors, you already know the trickiest part is
timing!
A general rule of thumb is to plan your trip between the last week of September and the first two weeks of October. Typically, that’s when the area’s colors peak.
The western Upper Peninsula sees the most colors first, and the eastern region follows.
Best Places to See Pictured Rocks Fall Colors
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is stunning no matter the time of year. But there are some extra beautiful spots where you can see some of the most stunning colors.
1. Miners Castle
Miners Castle is located 5 miles east of Munising and is one of the most famous landmarks on the Pictured Rocks shoreline.
This is an amazing stop— the only cliff area in the park accessible by car (yay for effortless
views!). The rock formation resembles a medieval castle, although a rockfall in 2006 destroyed a “turret. “
It was named by an Englishman exploring the area for minerals in 1771. In a twist of irony, no minerals were ever found, but the name stuck.
From the parking lot, a short wheelchair-accessible trail leads to two beautiful overlooks. This viewpoint has gorgeous trees and dramatic cliffs plunging into Lake Superior.
2. Au Sable Light Station
With a white lighthouse and surrounding red brick buildings, the Au Sable Light Station is
absolutely stunning when surrounded by fall hues.
This lighthouse is an amazing fall foliage destination at the end of an easy 3.2-mile walk
(round-trip).
The gravel trail follows the shoreline of Lake Superior, with informational signs about
shipwrecks. Some of them can be viewed from the beach below the trail.
Once you arrive at the lighthouse, you can see a brick oil building, a fog signal building and the light keeper’s accommodations. The lighthouse itself has a height of 86 feet!
You can even see the Grand Sable Banks and Dunes from the grounds. Although there aren’t lighthouse tours during the Fall, the area is still gorgeous to visit.
3. Spray Falls
This 70-foot waterfall, surrounded by thick, gorgeous trees, is perfect for an autumn excursion. It drops directly into Lake Superior over the gorgeous cliffs.
You’ll get the best views of the waterfall itself from the water. Take a cruise with Pictured Rocks Cruises or a guided sea kayak tour.
The kayaking tour is extra fun— you can get up close and personal with the falls, even under the water! (It’s usually pretty cold, though, so be warned.)
However, if you want to hike through the fall foliage, you’ll still get a good view of the falls 1/4 mile past them.
This trail to see it weaves through a gorgeous forest until you cross right over the top. The cliffs are undercut (aka, a little dangerous), so stay far away from the ledge!
You can do an easy 2.5-mile hike from Little Beaver Lake Campground or tack on an extra 2 miles to the Chapel Rock and Beach trail— making for 10 miles.
4. Sable Falls
For another gorgeous waterfall surrounded by tree leaves in brilliant reds, yellows, and oranges, look no further than Sable Falls.
These falls cascade 75 feet over sandstone formations into Lake Superior.
The best views are at the waterfall’s base, reachable via 168 steps. There’s no long trail from the parking area to the staircase, so if you don’t feel like trekking down, you don’t have to.
I highly recommend it! The water is surrounded by foliage, making it ideal to take many pictures.
You can go past the falls for a quick jaunt to a rock and sand beach. The creek flows into Lake Superior and makes for an ideal picnic spot.
5. Bridalveil Falls
This iconic waterfall is one of the prettiest waterfalls in Pictured Rocks and is often seen in publications about Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Sliding along the multicolored cliffs into Lake Superior, it’s best seen from the water.
These falls are located about a half mile east of Miner’s Castle. You can visit them via Pictured Rock Cruise or in a sea kayak.
Not interested in a water excursion? You can keep an eye out for the falls when you stop at
Miner’s Castle. However, you won’t get the same view of the gorgeous trees lining this 160 foot fall.
Check out the North Country trail if you want to hike through the autumnal forest!
You might not get the best view of the falls since you’ll be along the top of the cliffs, but you’ll be up close and personal with the fall colors.
6. Chapel Falls
Chapel Falls requires a more intense trek into the wilderness, but it’s genuinely gorgeous.
It takes about forty minutes to an hour to reach the falls at the end of a two-mile trail. You’ll be walking alongside a gorge with steep drop-offs.
Cross a creek just above the falls before heading to the viewing platform.
The trees obscure the view of the waterfall a little bit— but in the autumn, that’s not a detriment. The cascading water is perfectly framed by the yellow and red leaves.
If you want to hike through the forest more, you can go another 2 miles to reach Chapel Rock and Chapel Beach.
Read more about Chapel Falls Pictured Rocks here.
7. Alger Falls
Alger Falls is a perfect spot to soak in the fall colors without exerting a lot of effort. It’s a
roadside waterfall just outside the town of Munising.
You have to be careful when visiting these falls, primarily due to the parking situation. You park on the side of M-28, right at the base of a curved hill.
Just be careful getting out of your car, and you’ll be golden.
The highest drop measures about 15 feet. While this waterfall has the most volume in the
spring, it’s still a great stopping point in the Fall.
I love that it doesn’t require a hike to see, making it perfect for families with tiny children or
anyone with mobility issues.
8. Grand Sable Dunes
Grand Sable Dunes is an excellent and unique place to stop during the Fall. These gigantic
dunes, which last five square miles, were created by glacial action.
This is a unique place for fall foliage because the dunes are mostly sand.
However, most of the area is covered by forest, which makes for stunning scenery.
Plus, the sandy dunes add a unique and fun contrast to the brilliantly colored trees.
You can access the dunes in several ways. Either take a 1/3-mile trail from the Sable Falls
parking area or take a short climb up a dune from Grand Sable Lake.
9. Chapel Loop Trail
The Chapel Loop Trail is an epic 10-mile trail that takes you past rock formations and coastlines and (of course) through the most gorgeous fall foliage.
On this trail, you’ll have multiple vantage points of the colorful cliffs that make up Pictured
Rocks.
Plus, you’ll be able to see Chapel Falls, Chapel Beach, Mosquito Falls, and Mosquito Beach, which are worth the time to see.
The trail is almost entirely through the forest, perfect for autumn.
Cooler fall temperatures will also make this full-day excursion significantly more pleasant.
You’ll plan on a minimum of 4 hours for this hike, although it can take closer to 5 hours, not
including stops.
10. Munising Falls
Munising Falls are some of the easiest waterfalls to visit in the area. They are located within the city limits of Munising.
There’s a paved 800-foot trail up a cool shaded canyon. You’ll follow Munising Creek through a shaded canyon to the base of the falls.
From there, you can choose one of the two viewing platforms to get up close and personal.
The falls drop 50 feet in total and look absolutely magical when surrounded by the brilliant hues of autumn.
Things to Do in Pictured Rocks in Fall
There’s so much to do in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore all year. Still, every activity is
elevated in the Fall.
The colors of the leaves and the cliffs complement each other so well. Check out my top
recommendations for things to do in the Fall:
Kayak or Canoe
Head out onto the water in a kayak or a canoe for unparalleled views of the cliffs and
surrounding forest. On Lake Superior, you can get close to the waterfalls gushing into the Lake and see the shoreline covered in gorgeous colors.
The lake can get a bit dangerous at times— weather can change suddenly, and the gorgeous cliffs of the lakeshore make disembarking impossible.
If you don’t have much experience kayaking, I’d recommend taking a guided tour.
There are a bunch of tour options, including Paddling Michigan, Pictured Rocks Kayaking, and Yooper Yachts.
Take a Scenic Cruise
If you still want to get on the water but are hoping for a more relaxing experience, a scenic
cruise is definitely the way to go.
You can choose a glass-bottom shipwreck tour to see a few wreck sites. One of the wrecks is a fully intact sailing ship from before the Civil War!
Another popular option is a Pictured Rocks Cruise that takes you to historic spots like the East Channel Lighthouse and to see iconic rock formations along the shoreline.
Go for a Gorgeous Drive
Even something as simple as going for a drive feels more glamorous with multicolored leaves and stunning views.
The National Lakeshore is really simple to drive through. County Road H-58 is the main road that travels through it, and the access roads that lead to some scenic overlooks are very clearly marked.
I’d recommend stopping at a visitor’s center on your way in, grabbing a park map, and setting out with some snacks to soak in all the views.
Hike Through the Fall Leaves
One of my favorite fall activities is hiking! Being surrounded by the gorgeous leaves is magical.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore has many fantastic hikes with waterfalls, beaches, or scenic vistas as the reward.
Chapel Loop Trail is one of the best treks for anyone wanting a full-day adventure, but you could also do the shorter hike to Chapel Falls.
Remember to take snacks and plenty of water with you.
Eat a Picnic
Take advantage of the crisp, cool air and get outside for a picnic lunch (or dinner) before the days get cold and snowy.
There are many picnic spots throughout the National Lakeshore, but Grand Sable Lake
Overlook is my top recommendation. Lunch with a view? Yes, please!
Go to Kitch-iti-kipi
While not technically in Pictured Rocks, Kitch-iti-kipi is only a short hour drive away. This is
Michigan’s largest spring and has crystal clear, gorgeous water.
You’re not allowed to swim in the spring, but there’s a self-guided raft that leads to an
observation deck that floats in the middle of the water.
The gorgeous fall colors reflect off the spring waters and are incredibly beautiful.
Pictured Rocks Fall: FAQ
Pictured Rocks is open year-round, but visiting in the fall offers fantastic vistas and stunning views. For peak fall colors, aim to visit during the first two weeks of October.
The fall colors typically peak in the last week of September and the first few weeks of October. The vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow perfectly complement the colorful cliffs the area is known for.
Pictured Rocks are open in spring, summer, fall, and winter! There is an entrance fee, and some roads may be closed (due to snow) in the winter. It’s truly a year-round attraction.
October is a fantastic time to visit the Upper Peninsula. Enjoy warm, sunny days with cool nights and gorgeous fall hues.
Conclusion: Pictured Rocks Fall
A Pictured Rocks Fall is truly lovely. Offering almost unparalleled views and plenty of activities, you’ll find plenty to do for however long you can stay.
Lake Superior’s waterfalls, vibrant forests, and waters will leave you feeling refreshed. What are you planning on doing first?
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