Best Ways to View Michigan’s Fall Color from Up Above

There’s nothing quite like autumn in Michigan. The air is cooler, the light feels softer, and the forests explode into a fiery mosaic of red, gold, and orange. You can crunch through fallen leaves on a trail or admire the colors from a winding backroad, but sometimes the view is best when you rise above it all. From sand dunes to skybridges, chairlifts to mountain overlooks, Michigan offers countless ways to take in the season from a bird’s-eye perspective.

The beauty of fall isn’t just in the colors themselves, it’s in the sweeping vistas, the rolling valleys, and the way the trees seem endless when viewed from high above. If you’re looking for that “wow” moment this season, here are some of the most spectacular places to see Michigan’s fall foliage from new heights.

Explore River Road

The River Road Scenic Byway near Oscoda is one of Michigan’s crown jewels for fall color. The road itself is lovely, but the real magic happens at the overlooks. From Westgate Overlook, Largo Springs Interpretive Site, and Foote Pond, you’ll see the Au Sable River winding through a sea of autumn hues. Pack a picnic, hike one of the nearby trails, and keep your eyes open, you might spot a bald eagle soaring overhead. Don’t miss Lumberman’s Monument, where you’ll get panoramic views alongside a fascinating peek into Michigan’s lumbering past.

Get Thee to Gaylord

In northern Michigan, the Jordan River Valley bursts into color each fall, and the views from above are unforgettable. Deadman’s Hill offers one of the most underrated overlooks in the state, a short walk up a hill reveals a sweeping view that seems to stretch for miles. For another perspective, head to Landslide Hill Scenic Overlook, just a short drive away. Both spots showcase the valley in full color and make the trip to Gaylord in autumn more than worthwhile. Bonus: it’s also elk breeding season, so keep your ears open for the bugle of Michigan’s wild elk herd in nearby Pigeon River Country Forest.

Stand Atop the Sand Dunes

Michigan’s sand dunes are already spectacular, but in fall they become nature’s grandstands. The Log Slide Overlook at Pictured Rocks offers a jaw-dropping vantage point of Lake Superior framed by golden forests. Sleeping Bear Dunes is another must-see, where the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive offers incredible overlooks, especially No. 11, which captures Empire Bluff and North Bar Lake in brilliant autumn tones. Downstate, Warren Dunes State Park provides a shorter hike with rewarding views across Lake Michigan and beyond.

Take a Chairlift Ride

Ski resorts aren’t just for winter. In the fall, many of Michigan’s ski hills run their chairlifts so visitors can glide above the treetops and take in the season’s colors without breaking a sweat. Resorts like Treetops, Crystal Mountain, Shanty Creek, Mount Bohemia, and The Highlands all offer rides that make leaf-peeping a little more magical. Just sit back, dangle your feet, and enjoy the ride.

Walk the Michigan SkyBridge

For a thrill with your view, head to Boyne Mountain’s SkyBridge Michigan. Stretching 1,200 feet across and rising 118 feet above the valley, this pedestrian bridge offers breathtaking panoramas in every direction. In autumn, the hillsides below are a patchwork quilt of color. Ride the historic Hemlock Chairlift to reach the bridge, and if you’re brave, peek down through the glass-bottom section in the middle.

Tackle the Copper Peak Adventure Ride

In Ironwood, Copper Peak offers one of the most dramatic views in the state. Start with an 800-foot chairlift ride, then take an elevator up 18 stories to the main observation deck of the world’s only ski flying hill outside Europe. On a clear day, you can see three states and even Canada. For the truly daring, climb the final stairs to the starting gate, 1,782 feet above sea level, for a view that feels like standing on the edge of the world. Afterward, explore the nearby waterfalls of the Black River Scenic Byway or stop by the iconic Stormy Kromer factory for a taste of U.P. heritage.

Visit Lake of the Clouds

In the heart of the Porcupine Mountains, Lake of the Clouds delivers one of Michigan’s most iconic vistas. From the overlook, you’ll see the sparkling lake cradled by ridges ablaze with color, with the Big Carp River weaving through the scene. It’s a view that has earned national recognition, and in autumn, it’s nothing short of breathtaking.

Drive Brockway Mountain

On the Keweenaw Peninsula, Brockway Mountain Drive offers 8.8 miles of pure scenic splendor. The winding route is dotted with pull-offs perfect for soaking in Lake Superior and the surrounding forests. At the summit, you’ll feel like you’re standing on top of the U.P., with Copper Harbor and endless fall color spread out beneath you. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a sunset that paints both the sky and the trees in shades of fire. And if you want to go even higher? Isle Royale Seaplanes offers fall color flights over the Keweenaw Peninsula, providing an unmatched aerial perspective of the season.

Whether you’re hiking sand dunes, riding a chairlift, or gazing out from a mountain drive, seeing Michigan’s fall colors from above is an experience that stays with you. It’s not just about the trees, it’s about perspective. From higher ground, the season takes on a grandeur you can’t get from the roadside: entire valleys glowing gold, lakes framed by red maples, and horizons that seem endless.

So this fall, trade the ground view for something loftier. Climb, ride, or fly, whatever your style, Michigan has a perch waiting for you. And when you finally stand at the top, looking out across a sea of color, take a deep breath and soak it in. This is autumn in Michigan at its most unforgettable.