Our Favorite Season Up North
If you ask our family when to visit Northern Michigan, we’ll tell you: come in the fall. September and October bring cooler air, thinner crowds, and some of the best color you’ll see anywhere in the Midwest — and it’s the season we most look forward to sharing with guests.
Where the Color Shows Up Best
The hills around Gaylord and Bellaire turn into a patchwork of red, orange, and gold, and the drive along the Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas gives you water on one side and color on the other. Sleeping Bear Dunes is also at its best this time of year, with fall light hitting the dunes and Lake Michigan in a way that’s hard to capture in a photo, even though everyone tries.
Fewer Crowds, More Room to Breathe
Summer brings the biggest crowds Up North, which is part of its charm but not for everyone. Fall thins things out considerably — restaurants are easier to get into, trails are quieter, and you can actually find a parking spot near the trailheads. It’s the season we recommend most to guests who want the region without the rush.
Harvest Season Perks
Fall also means cider mills, apple orchards, and the tail end of Michigan’s famous cherry harvest. Local farm stands pop up throughout the region, and a stop at a cider mill has become something of a tradition for our own family every October.
Cozy Nights Included
Our properties are built for this season — fire pits for cool evenings, fully equipped kitchens for cooking up whatever you pick up at a farm stand, and enough space to spread out after a day outdoors. Check availability for a fall stay and see Northern Michigan at what we think is its most beautiful.
