Of the four seasons, many people feel that fall is the best time to visit Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and view our Fall Colors. If you enjoy fall color, no place else comes close. It only happens once a year—and it only lasts a few months. But when the explosion of red, orange and gold hits our area – it adds a whole new dimension to all there is to do and see here. We’ve already begun to see Fall setting in on the North Shore of Lake Gogebic. Cooler temps and tips of the trees are starting to give hints of the vibrant color show that is about to take place over the next few months. It’s spectacular to witness and it’s no wonder that the U.P. has been voted the #1 spot in the country to view Fall Colors! Additionally, AJ’s Walleye Lodge is conveniently located in the center of several Fall Color Hot Spots so you can conveniently cover a great deal of ground during your weekend stay!dit or delete it, then start writing!
Stay tuned to this section for more information on the local fall colors. We get our information from a variety of sources (and recommend you do also!), and we do our best to keep you informed. Mother nature can at times be unpredictable and we do not guarantee weather or Fall color conditions. Please keep this in mind as you make your reservations. Peak color in the Western UP is typically the last two weeks in September into the first two weeks in October. Areas closer to Lake Superior and into the Keweenaw are a bit longer. Every year is different. There’s not a lot of accommodations – so we recommend reservations – and we also recommend that you make them early in order to get the rooms that you want!
Here are some tips for planning your Fall Color Trip To The Western UP!
- Seeing the sights!! The Western UP is a vast area and you could spend a lot of wasted time in your car if you don’t have a plan. This is of utmost importance if you don’t want to spend hours traveling out of your way, or worse yet – sleeping in your car (yes, it does happen, and no, it is never a good thing). Fall is a very popular time of year and we only have a limited number of rooms and suites. On average, travelers book about 2 weeks in advance. AJ’s Walleye Lodge is centrally located to most of the areas’ attractions, waterfalls and “hot spots”, so we fill up quickly. We have plenty of maps and recommendations to make your trip memorable!
- Travel Mid-Week: Weekday travel is by far the way to go. Skip the crowds and the traffic on your way up. PLUS, budget travelers will enjoy lower weekday rates at our lodge.
- Keep an eye on the Weather. It’s challenging (at best) to try to predict weather in the Upper Peninsula. We may get a string of 70 degree days, but average temps are typically in the 60s (or lower if its a cooler year) during the day and as low as the 30’s at night. It is not uncommon for the Western UP to see first snow flakes by Mid-October. On the same token – we’ve been known to have 90 degree weather in October.
- Lace up those hiking shoes! This is hiking and waterfall country and when you are out exploring nature – you need to be comfortable! There are so many excellent sites and waterfalls to see in this area, but almost all require some degree of hiking. Make sure to bring a good pair of hiking shoes and/or sneakers.
- Charge up those cameras.
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan was voted the #1 Fall Color Destination in the Country! Make sure you are taking some of those colors and memories back home with you!
Fall Reports are done weekly or more often during that time – check here for updated reports!!! Give us a call or book online – Fall is Fabulous in the UP!
