Fall Color Tour

Fall in love with Mecosta County as Mother Nature puts on her “Coat of Many Colors” for all to enjoy.

While exploring our self-guided color tour, be sure to check out the great stops and points of interest along the way.

Driving Directions

Tour with Driving Directions Only

Tour with Attractions Listed

• Start your Fall Color Tour adventure at the Mecosta County Welcome Center: 127 S. State St. in Big Rapids, home of the Mecosta County Visitors Bureau!
  • Pick up your Mecosta County Fall Color Tour Brochure!
  • See other resources and information provided in the lobby that you can take to help Explore the Big Rapids Region during your stay.
• Exit right out of the Welcome Center.
• Turn right onto Elm Street.
• At the stop sign take another right onto S. State Street.
• Continue to the next light and turn right on Maple Street.
  •  You will see the beautiful mural on the historical Fairman Building to your right as you pass the Downtown Big Rapids area. This mural represents the lumber industry days that were prominent in Big Rapids’ history.
  • As mentioned near the mural you will pass Michigan Ave intersection where Downtown Big Rapids’ historic area is located.
  • Make time to visit their unique shops and restaurants along with beauty, health & wellness businesses.
• Stay straight on Maple Street and pass the historic Comstock House to your right, before the bridge over the Muskegon River.
  • Before you start your Fall Color Tour – make sure to turn right after the bridge to Currie’s Gas Station to fill up your tank with fuel along with stocking up on drinks and snacks for the road!
• As you come up to the traffic light on S. Third Ave you will take a right.
  • The Wild Rose Café is also located here on the right. A great hometown restaurant with personable service. 
• Continue on S. Third Ave for a little over a quarter of a mile
• Turn left onto Colburn Ave.
  • The Eastside Market is located here so you can use as a marker or stop and pick up a few snacks.
• Continue straight and you will now be traveling on 16 Mile Road.
  • The Michigan Army National Guard’s Station is to your right half a mile away.
  • Following this you will pass the Big Rapids Radio Network on your left and the Big Rapids Eagles to your right.
  • Cranhill Ranch is another destination if you are interested. They are on your left at 160^th Ave.
• Around 10 miles in, the road will curve left. Chippewa Lake will be on the horizon.
  • To your left on 4^th and Dwight Street you will pass the Rooster Saloon in Chippewa Lake. This is a great small-town dining location.
  • Next you will be passing through Chippewa Lake Township.
• Approaching the lake keep right. Follow Chippewa Lake Road, which will turn into 20 Mile Road. You are now heading toward the Village of Barryton.
  • There are local Amish Markets to your right on 20 Mile Road.
• Beautiful views will be around you during this scenic drive.
• The East Bay General store will be on your left on Chippewa Lake Dr. 
• Close by is also the Boat Park where many water recreation activities take place.
• After a few miles you will reach Barryton’s Village limits.
  • You will see and pass by Fork Township’s sign.
• Half a mile past the Village limits, you will reach M-66. Turn right.
• As you pass through Barryton, your trip meter should be around the 20-mile mark.
  • 30^th  Ave has various businesses and amenities for you to enjoy:
    • Playscape Park for kids.
    • Dollar General (on 20 Mile Road) and to the right on (30^th Ave) is the Family Dollar if you need to grab something for the road.
    • Gas Stations are also located in this area (BP & Sunoco).
    • Williams Café is a dining stop as well.
    • Ice Cream is also available.
  • As you continue driving you will pass 18 Mile Road where the Barryton Conservation Club is located.
• You will continue through Barryton and 5 miles down you will be passing the Martiny Lakes on 17 Mile and entering Sheridan Township.
• After another 5 miles you will reach the intersection of M-20 and M-66 in Remus.
• Turn right on M-20.
• You will be in Wheatland Township and entering the Village of Remus.
  • 2 Artists in a Barn are located in Remus
  • Gas Stations
  • Remus Tavern
  • Downtown Area (retail etc.)
  • Jo Jo’s Pizza
  • Remus Bowling
• Once you continue on through Remus’ downtown area, you will in a quarter mile past Gwinn Girls Winery and Tasting Room on the right at 9 Mile Road.
• Continuing on M-20 in a couple miles you will pass by Wheatland Music Organization (WMO) to your left on 50^th Ave.
  • WMO is a resource center for the preservation and presentation of traditional music and arts offering numerous events and classes throughout the year.
  • The Annual Wheatland Music Festival (in September) draws in thousands from all over the country for this live music and more weekend event.
• There will be a curve on M-20 that you will stay on – this is 9 Mile Road.
• Shortly after you will also pass Hearty Harvest on your right at 9 Mile Road. Fresh produce and products are a great addition to your scenic color tour drive!
• You will enter Morton Township in a few miles.
• Robert Barnum’s Studio and Sculpture Park will be on your left while you are on 9 Mile Road in Mecosta.
• Continue on and a couple miles away you will come to a stop sign. Across the street you will see School Section Lake Campground.
• Turn left on 90^th Ave here.
• Big Scoops Adventure Island, featuring pizza and miniature golf, is within the mile to your left.
• In a couple miles you will see Tri Lakes around you.
• You will also be turning right on Buchanan Road and continue towards and through Canadian Lakes.
  • If you take a left at the sign for Tullymore’s Golf Resort, you can play on this world-renowned course and eat at CL Pizza Co.
• On Buchanan Road in Canadian Lakes you will see the main town plaza to your left offering:
  • Hixson’s Family Market
  • Antler’s Fireside Grill
  • To your right will be St. Ives Golf Course and a few unique shops.
• Continuing on Buchanan you will pass beautiful water views and the Outback Guest Ranch.
• There will be two (2) old school houses – one on each side of the road. You will turn right on the next road which will be 150^th Ave.
• After a few miles you will arrive at M-20 again.
• Stay straight and continue across M-20.
• You will pass Clear Lake Golf Course to your left.
• Round the curve in the next mile.
• When you arrive at the stop sign, take a left and continue west on M-20.
• You will pass the White Pine Trail Crossings on your way.
• You will then be back to beautiful Big Rapids.