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Fall

Fall color typically peaks across our four-county region, Mecosta, Newaygo, Osceola, and Lake, in early to mid-October, when hardwoods along the Muskegon River, the Pere Marquette River, and the rolling farmland outside Barryton and Remus turn deep red and gold. Start with our self-guided Fall Color Tour, a 62-mile driving loop through Mecosta County that begins at the Welcome Center in downtown Big Rapids and winds past Barryton, Remus, and Canadian Lakes, including the panoramic Highland’s Castle overlook.

From there, the color show keeps going. In Newaygo County, walk the Muskegon River at Newaygo State Park or watch the salmon run at Croton Dam. In Osceola County, pedal a stretch of the Pere Marquette State Trail through Reed City and Evart. In Lake County, cast a line on the Pere Marquette River near Baldwin, home of Michigan’s largest brown trout sculpture, as steelhead begin their fall run.

Locals return every fall for the drive out to Canadian Lakes, and visitors touring the region often build a full weekend around all four counties rather than a single afternoon. Whether you drive one loop or string together stops across the region, this is the season our back roads earn their reputation.