Michigan fall colors: Best roads in metro Detroit for a fall foliage tour

Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press
Updated ·2 min read
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As Michigan’s foliage begins to burst into colorful canopies, the state’s county road association has compiled a list — five, actually — of some of the most alluring drives you can take this month, especially when you don't have to get somewhere fast.

"We’re all looking for new ways to spend our time," Denise Donohue, CEO of the County Road Association of Michigan, said, adding that "a free fall color tour is the ideal way" to enjoy some of the "natural autumn beauty" the state has to offer.

The association revealed Monday its lists of the best county roads in Michigan for taking in the fall scenery broken down by state region — southeast, west, mid, northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula — based on information from the state's 83 local county road associations.

Trees in vivid color near the Porcupine Mountains in Michigan's Upper Peninsula during a previous autumn.
Trees in vivid color near the Porcupine Mountains in Michigan's Upper Peninsula during a previous autumn.

The peak viewing dates in southeast Michigan are Oct. 9-23, and in addition to seeing colorful leaves and sunsets, the association said, on some of the roads you'll even be able to stop for "sun-kissed sweet corn" and "freshly picked, crisp apples."

Apple orchard guide: Where to go for your cider fix in southeast Michigan

More: Michigan fall color forecast 2023: Map, week-by-week predictions released

"When you're not driving on the interstate, we like to say you're taking the backroads," the state association said in its announcement. "They're the long way or the scenic route; the beautiful country roads with the best views, where memories are made."

Here's the list for southeast Michigan:

Macomb County

  • 24 Mile Road between Van Dyke Freeway and Shelby Road

  • Tillson Street between Sisson Street and South Main Street

  • M-53 between 28 Mile Road and 32 Mile Road

  • Lakeshore Drive between 8 Mile Road and Marter Road

  • Macomb Orchard Trail

  • Campground Road between 29 Mile Road and 31 Mile Road

  • Mount Vernon Road between Dean Road and 31 Mile Road

People enjoy the cool, crisp fall weather, walking, running and biking on the Macomb Orchard Trail in Macomb County on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021. The trail is a 24-mile linear park that starts at 24 Mile and Dequindre roads in Shelby Township and travels northeast to the City of Richmond. Out of Richmond, the trail enters the countryside, passing through lots of fruit orchards, crop fields and dairy farms.

Oakland County

  • Rattalee Lake between Ellis and M-15

  • Hadley Road between M-15 and Shappie

  • Shappie Road between Hadley and Perry Lake Road

  • Pine Knob Road between Sashabaw and Clarkston Road

  • Wixom Road between Charm and Sleeth/Duck Lake intersection

  • Richardson Road between Martin Parkway and Newton

  • Wise Road between Canal and Carrol Lake

  • Porter Road

  • Pontiac Lake Road between Culhbert and White Lake Road

  • Gale Road

  • McKeachie Road

  • Scripps Road between M-24 and Joslyn Road

  • Greenshield Road between Joslyn Road and Kern Road

  • Kern Road between Silverbell and Clarkston Road

  • Delano Road between Ray Road and Davison Lake Road

  • Ray Road between North Oxford Road to Lake George Road

  • Beverly Road between 13½ Mile and 14 Mile

Washtenaw County

Take a ride along Ann Arbor's scenic Huron River Drive.
Take a ride along Ann Arbor's scenic Huron River Drive.

  • Huron River Drive between Mast Road and U.S.-23

  • North Territorial Road between U.S.-23 and M-52

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan fall leaves: Best roads to see autumn colors in 2023