This Island Is One of the Most Idyllic Places to Experience Fall in the U.S. — and It Has Kayak Foliage Tours and 70 Miles of Hiking Trails

Fall is about to arrive on Mackinac Island and the lesser-known season is not to be missed.

Fall is one of the few times of the year when life naturally seems to slow down. The flurry of summer comes to an end and routine returns. And as it does, the leaves begin their own slow evolution — putting on one final display of color before winter arrives.

This unhurried transformation is well suited to Michigan's Mackinac Island, where life always moves a bit slower. Instead of cars, there are horse-drawn carriages, and the debate on who makes the best homemade fudge is ongoing. The island moves to its own beat — one that is noticeably slower than life on the mainland.

For this reason, Mackinac Island is the perfect backdrop for leaf peeping, which is all about taking a quiet moment to enjoy something fleeting.

The journey to Mackinac Island begins with a ferry ride from one of the two main gateways: Mackinaw City (at the northern tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula) and from St. Ignace (at the bottom of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula). From your watery perch, you can watch as the island’s coastline comes into focus. It is a sight that has enchanted visitors for decades, but it is extra special in the fall when the trees along the water have begun to turn shades of yellow, orange, and red.

The fall colors on Mackinac Island typically peak in the middle of October, and this year is no different. A Sept. 20 newsletter from Pure Michigan, the state’s travel and tourism initiative, reported that “peak color is expected to arrive on the island October 6-12.”

There are many ways to experience fall on Mackinac Island, but the option that’s the most unique to Mackinac is to enjoy the foliage from a horse-drawn carriage. You can join a public tour, hire a driver and carriage for a private excursion, or even rent a horse and buggy and drive around the island.

Fall is also a standout time to hike on Mackinac, which boasts 70 miles of trail. One of the best routes, the Tranquil Bluff Trail, cuts through the forest (hello fall color!) and runs along the cliffs above Lake Huron. If you’d rather explore the island on two wheels, you can rent a bike and ride through the Mackinac Island State Park forest or circumnavigate the island, which offers consistent views of fall foliage and the lakefront. (Mackinac Island is just 3.8 square miles in total.)

If you really want to lean into the slow pace of Mackinac Island, spend the day lounging and picnicking in the island’s Marquette Park, which is surrounded by trees and offers great views of the water. You can pick up food from the oldest grocery store in the U.S., Doud’s Market, and enjoy your provisions under the park’s colorful foliage.

Other fall foliage options that are unique to Mackinac include catching the colors from the water on a kayak tour.

Perhaps the best thing about visiting Mackinac Island in the fall is that it marks the end of their tourist season, which peaks in the summer. Since you’ll be arriving on the island at the end of their busy season, you’ll find fewer crowds and lower rates at the island’s renowned hotels, resorts, and B&Bs. For a full list of closing dates, visit mackinacisland.org.

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