Take a fall color tour of Greater Lansing: No cars necessary

LANSING — The crisp air means it's time for a Michigan fall color tour.

The Upper Peninsula and "up north" are tailor-made for the changing leaf colors, offering a wide and well-explored canvas.

But closer to home, there are many parks and rivers throughout Greater Lansing displaying the same gorgeous fall colors — and they're far more accessible to people without cars and without hours-long drives.

Those staying close to home also can see a wider variety of tree species in the southern part of the state, according to a fall colors guide by Bert Cregg, a Michigan State University forestry professor. The north is more consistently maple and evergreen, but the southern and central parts of the state add in hardwoods such as sassafras, hickory, black gum and oak, making for a larger palate of colors.

The expected peak for Greater Lansing is just around the corner, according to two different forecasts that, while not precise, can help to plan for leaf-peeping.

Most of Michigan is now at or near peak colors, according to a county-by-county map from SmokyMountains.com. The western coast and southern part of the state are lagging behind, as usual, and are in "near-peak" condition, with the Greater Lansing area being at the border between peak and "near-peak" counties.

Another forecast by The Foliage Report newsletter, which is focused on leaf colors nationwide, shows the Upper Peninsula is currently experiencing peak fall colors, with central northern Lower Peninsula in "high color" or just about ready to fully pop.

Most of Greater Lansing's parks will have some color. It'll be hard to avoid the beauty, but here are a few spots that may be good places to take your own personal color tour.

Kayaking fall color

The Grand River, along with many smaller rivers and tributaries, makes a great spot for fall colors since someone can travel a good distance surrounded by peaceful and changing trees, said Michael Stout, president and founder of Michigan Waterways Stewards.

He recommended Krugers Lansing, by Aurelius Road, where people can paddle 1.5 miles upstream or downstream and have a good view of beautiful fall colors in either direction.

Upstream, toward Michigan State University, canopies of trees nearly extend over the full river. Routes also go downstream, through thick woods and end up with "surprisingly stunning scenic landscape cutting through some commercial areas of Lansing,"

There could be good deals to purchase kayaks, as stores put them on clearance and people try to sell kayaks and canoes instead of storing them during the winter.

But if you're not in the market, rentals are still available.

River Town Adventures, based in Lansing, has shut down their regular service for the season but are offering appointments for kayak and canoe rentals, including for color trips.

Walking and biking to see the tree leaves change

One way to find fall colors is simply to get out and walk. Nearly any neighborhood will have some sort of color as the leaves turn.

For specific spots, Kristy Brooks has hiked across much of the Greater Lansing area as the leader of the Adventurous(ish) hiking group, which focuses on women.

She said a Sunday hike with her group in Meridian Township included views of a handful of turning trees, with a lot of trees that seemed ready to change.

"The color wasn't quite changing yet. It's definitely not peak yet, but there are a few colors and you can tell it's about to turn," Brooks said. "It's all mixed in with the pines. It's going to be beautiful."

Brooks recommends parking at the Red Cedar Nature Preserve and River Trail, 1400 Sylvan Glen Road, in Okemos.

People can take a 7-mile hike from there, visiting multiple parks, or take one of several shorter walks.

She said the ledges in Grand Ledge, which she plans to visit soon, are another popular fall color spot along the Grand River.

Tri-County Bicycle Association President Patrick S. Kelley said there will be great chances for fall color on rides around the area this year.

"We call them 'ooh ahh rides.' It's when we come up to a tree and someone says 'ooh' and someone else says 'ahh,'" he said.

He suggests riding away from Lansing, starting in Rayner Park in Mason.

"South of Mason, the roads are pretty quiet car-wise and usually there is some nice color in there," Kelley said.

There is a paved bike path at the Sanford Natural Area at Michigan State University's campus, and along the Grand River and Red Cedar River is the Lansing River Trail.

Other colorful parks include Grand Woods Park, 4500 W. Willow Highway, in Delta Township; Lincoln Brick Park, 13991 Tallman Road, in Eaton County; and Scott Woods Park, 2631 Clifton Ave., in Lansing.

Bus rides to see fall color

Bus routes are an underused option for fall color tours and several of the routes throughout the area can show off the fall colors for an affordable fare, said Lolo Robison, director of marketing for the Capital Area Transit Authority.

Robison suggested the CATA Route 1, which goes along Michigan and Grand River avenues into downtown Lansing. The route has "convenient access to the Lansing River Trail Art Path and Adado Riverfront Park, surrounded by fall foliage," Robison said.

Contact Mike Ellis at mellis@lsj.com or 517-267-0415

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Here's when fall colors will peak in Greater Lansing and how to see them