19 Things to Add to Your Upper Peninsula Fall Bucket List

There’s no question that Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is a nature lover’s paradise filled with stunning mountains, lush forests, and pristine lakes. Straddled by Lake Michigan and Lake Huron to the south and Lake Superior to the north, the U.P. offers tons of fun and adventure for all ages. 

Although all seasons are spectacular, a unique magic surrounds the area in the fall. Those who visit understand the feeling: a crisp morning walk, the crunch of leaves beneath each step, and fall foliage straight from a Hallmark movie. In recent years, the Upper Peninsula has become one of the fastest-growing destinations for fall tourism. Once here, it’s easy to understand why. 

If you’re planning on visiting the U.P. during the fall, we’ve put together an Upper Peninsula Fall Bucket list to help take your trip and turn it into an unforgettable adventure. 

1. Climb Copper Peak Ski Jump

Copper Peak Ski Jump is one of the largest ski jumps in the world and conveniently located in one of the snowiest places in the country. Before the snow settles in, you should take the opportunity to climb to the top, where you can enjoy unobstructed 360-degree views of the surrounding area. A chairlift is available to take you to the top of the hill, and you can ride an elevator up to the top of the jump, making it accessible to many! Plan your visit with peak fall foliage to make it extra special. 

2. Watch a Sunset on Brockway Mountain

Located just west of Copper Harbor in Mohawk, Brockway Mountain is a fantastic place to take in the fall colors and watch as the sun slowly sets over Lake Superior. Brockway Mountain Lookout is accessible by car and provides a spectacular vista that you won’t soon forget. If you’re lucky, you may even get a chance to see the Northern Lights once the sun goes down. 

3. Go Hiking in the Porcupine Mountains

Hiking enthusiasts should visit Porcupine Mountains Wildness State Park, one of the first items on their Upper Peninsula fall bucket list. This 35,000-acre preserve is home to more than 90 miles of hiking trails that traverse through pristine old-growth forests and meander past roaring waterfalls. The entire area is exquisite, but the best views are found by climbing to the top of the Summit Peak Observation Tower. 

4. Visit Grand Island

Located on Lake Superior just north of Munising, Grand Island is another must-have on your fall bucket list. After a short ferry ride, you can enjoy beautiful nature trails perfect for biking and hiking, as well as sandy beaches and picturesque sandstone cliffs. Bus tours are also available to take you to explore the famous Grand Island Ice Caves, and you can even enjoy a night of stargazing and camping in one of the island’s cozy, rustic huts. 

5. Camp at Little Girls Point

Located on a bluff overlooking Lake Superior, Little Girls Point County Park is a fantastic place for a fall camping trip. Park your RV or pitch your tent right on the lakeshore and enjoy peace and quiet surrounded by some of the best campsite views in the UP. Head down to the incredible cobblestone beach in the early morning to take in one of the best sunrises of your life. 

6. Grab a Fall Latte 

Did someone say pumpkin spice latte? The UP is home to many outstanding local coffee shops offering a cozy place to relax and warm up after outdoor adventures. Contrast Coffee Co. in Ironwood is a favorite of locals and tourists and serves a range of delicious fall-inspired drinks. If you’re in Copper Harbor, Jamsen’s Fish Market and Bakery is a great place to stock up on coffee and fresh-baked goods before boarding the ferry to Isle Royale, and Lodge Coffee is a must-visit in Ishpeming. 

7. Visit Agate Falls

Located in Interior Township, Agate Falls is one of the most picturesque waterfalls in the UP and all of Michigan. This 39-foot waterfall is a great place to enjoy a relaxing afternoon picnic or spend a few hours fishing. For the best views, you’ll want to climb down into the gorge, where you can get a close-up view of the falls in all their majesty.

8. Watch a Sunset at Point Iroquois Lighthouse

Point Iroquois Lighthouse is located just north of Brimley and is another excellent place to take in incredible sunset views. The lighthouse was built in the mid-1800s and helped passing ships navigate Lake Superior for over 100 years. Be careful, though, legend has it that the spirit of a little girl haunts the lighthouse, and many visitors have reported seeing her ghost still wandering around the site. Beautiful sunset views and ghosts? Sounds like the recipe for a spooky fall adventure. 

9. Go to Plaidurday in Ironwood

Held every year on the first Friday in October, Plaidurday is a worldwide celebration of everything plaid. Celebrations are held around the globe, but none can compare with experiencing Plaidurday in the UP. You can enjoy live music, farmers’ markets, local arts and crafts vendors, and more. The highlight is when all attendees gather together in front of the Historic Ironwood Theatre for the world’s biggest Plaidurday photo. And this might sound obvious–don’t show up to plaidurday in anything but plaid!

10. Hike Canyon Falls

Known as the Grand Canyon of the UP, hiking Canyon Falls is another fall bucket list must. A well-marked trail offers an easy hike along the Sturgeon River up to the falls. You can also choose to head upwards to the top of the falls, where you can see the 30-foot falls plunging through a sheer 300-foot slate gorge. The hike isn’t all that challenging, but the views make it worth every bit of effort. 

11. Go Camping in Hiawatha National Forest or Ottawa National Forest

With a combined nearly one million acres of fun and adventure, there is no shortage of activities in national forests throughout the U.P. Rent a cabin or set up a tent and enjoy a few days of exploring all that the forests have to offer. If you want something truly special, you should check out the guided horseback tours. You can even set off for a scenic horse camping trip where you can take in the fantastic fall colors during the day before relaxing by a campfire at night. 

12. Kayak Les Cheneaux Islands

Situated near the Lake Huron shoreline, Les Cheneaux Islands is the ideal place for a fall kayaking adventure. Explore miles of sheltered water as you pass by some of the 39 islands that make up the chain. Head to Cedarville or Hessel to rent your kayaks and paddle your way around to experience unforgettable wilderness scenes. 

13. Black River National Scenic By-Way

The scenic by-way includes an impressive 5 sets of cascading waterfalls, sea kayaking, hiking, camping, and more fun than one can count! It’s also the perfect place to bring your furry companion along for the adventure. 

14. Bike the Iron Ore Heritage Trail

Cyclists and mountain bikers will want to experience the thrill of the Iron Ore Heritage Trail. This 47-mile trail is open year-round and runs from Marquette to Ishpeming. Along the way, you’ll see plenty of birds and wildlife as your ride along old abandoned railways. There are nine different trailheads, which makes it easy to get on and off if you don’t want to ride the entire route. 

15. Chase Fall Colors 

This one is a no-brainer! The Upper Peninsula is home to some of the best and brightest fall colors in the world. No matter where you end up, we encourage all visitors to take a turn down some dirt roads and enjoy slow, scenic drives under vibrant yellow and orange canopies. There are also numerous places in the Upper Peninsula to gain elevation and get a birds-eye view of the colors. Some of our favorites include Wolf Mountain, the Porcupine Mountains, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Brockway Mountain. 

16. Learn the True Story of the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Lake Superior is famous for the many shipwrecks that have occurred over the years, and none are more well-known than the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, which sank in the fall of 1975. Paradise is home to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, where you can view the proud ship’s bell and learn more about her history and other ships that never made it back to port. 

17. Visit a Ghost Town in Fayette State Historic Park

Fayette State Historic Park is another excellent fall bucket list item. Once a booming town that served as a hub for shipping crude iron ore, Fayette suddenly collapsed and is now a famous ghost town. The 700-acre state park allows you to explore and learn more about the area’s history. Most of the original structures have been partially restored, so you can get a better feel of what life was like in Fayette during its heyday. 

18. Tahquamenon Falls

We couldn’t create an Upper Peninsula fall bucket list without one of Michigan’s most iconic stops! Tahquamenon Falls is one of the most popular and most-visited spots in the Upper Peninsula, and when you visit it’s easy to understand why. Fall is a wonderful time to visit because the falls became framed in bright orange and yellow leaves, making it look straight out of a postcard.

19. Gabbro Falls

We guarantee this last stop is sure to be a winner! Many times, the sheer size and force of this waterfall is impressive enough, but add in some stunning fall colors and it turns this stop into a jaw-dropping spectacle.

There is truly no end to the things you can do in the Upper Peninsula. Autumn is a fantastic time to visit because of the fall foliage, but a visit to the UP can be fantastic any time of the year. Still, if planning a visit before winter, you must check at least a few of these activities off your Upper Peninsula fall bucket list.