10 Favorite Upper Peninsula Fall Photos Paired with a Nearby Adventure

Fall in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is known worldwide for its outstanding autumn color
These famous views are even better when paired with an adventure nearby. This including things like hiking a trail, finding a great place to eat, or getting out on the water. We are sharing 10 of our favorite fall photos from the U.P., each matched with an activity that makes the view even more unforgettable.

View #1 – Lake of the Clouds
First up is Lake of the Clouds in the Porcupine Mountains. The view from the main platform is incredible. An entire valley filled with fall color, with the lake shining in the middle. But what makes this spot even better is the Escarpment Trail. It follows high above the lake, with overlooks and built-in stops that are perfect for a packed-in snack and a quiet moment in one of the U.P.’s most famous locations. That combination of the classic view and the trail adventure is what gives this photo its story beyond the frame.

View #2 – Copper Peak
Next is the view from Copper Peak, looking out toward Lake Superior. For some people, just riding up to the top of Copper Peak is an adventure all by itself. And once you’re standing there, the views stretch for miles in every direction, with the big lake right on the horizon. Pairing that experience with time at Black River Harbor makes it even more rewarding. The hike along the river takes you past a series of waterfalls before reaching the shoreline, where you can catch the sunset over Lake Superior. Seeing both in the same day—the heights of Copper Peak and the calm of Black River Harbor—makes the photo and the memory unforgettable. Stopping in at Cold Iron Brewing in Ironwood is the perfect way to reflect on the day.

View #3 – Brockway Mountain
Brockway Mountain in the Keweenaw is one of the most famous fall views in the entire Upper Peninsula. From the top, you can see endless ridges of color rolling toward Lake Superior.
Pairing this stop with a walk through Fort Wilkins Historic State Park adds another layer to the day. After exploring the fort, head across the street to the Lake Superior side for a view of the lighthouse across the bay. Everyone knows the leaves change in the fall, but Lake Superior changes too. Even on a calm day, there’s something about Superior in autumn that can be felt just as much as it’s seen.

View #4 – Presque Isle Park
Presque Isle Park in Marquette is well-known, but fewer people realize the east side of the park has massive cliffs that rise straight out of Lake Superior. In the fall, those cliffs are topped with brilliant color, and the view from the platforms above is incredible. Pairing that stop with dinner at the Portside Inn is a tradition for many, and wrapping up the evening with a patio beverage at Blackrocks Brewing makes the whole experience even better. It’s the combination of big lake views and Marquette’s local favorites that turns this photo into a lasting memory.

View #5 – Fayette Historic State Park
Fayette Historic State Park combines history, fall color, and the limestone cliffs of Lake Michigan. Walking through the old townsite, it feels like stepping back in time, with the backdrop of cliffs rising above the harbor. Pairing that with a hike along the trail on top of the cliffs gives you a whole new perspective. From the park below, you admire the cliffs as a dramatic landscape. From the top, you look back down at the historic community from above. That flip in perspective, seeing history from both angles, is what makes Fayette one of the most unique places to photograph in the fall.

View #6 – Tahquamenon Falls
Tahquamenon Falls is one of the most iconic views in Michigan. The upper falls are powerful in every season, but in the fall the golden water framed by color is unforgettable. The perfect way to pair this view with adventure is to hike the trail between the lower and upper falls. It winds along the river through deep woods and gives you glimpses of the water along the way. Finishing at the falls themselves makes the hike just as memorable as the view—and together they capture the full spirit of fall in the U.P.

View #7 – Cut River Bridge
Our next stop is the Cut River Bridge along US-2. From above, the view stretches out over Lake Michigan, but the real adventure starts when you hike the trail down beneath the bridge. Standing under the steel span with fall colors all around gives you a whole new perspective. Pair that with a pasty from Sposito’s and then park across the street for a bonus view of the Mackinac Bridge. With a little bit of timing, you might even watch a freighter pass under the Mighty Mac, an unforgettable way to round out the day.

View #8– Castle Rock
Next up is Castle Rock in St. Ignace. Climbing to the top is a classic Upper Peninsula stop, and the view from above is always worth it. But to make the experience even better, we like to pair it with a lesser-known spot in Straits State Park. Well, it’s lesser known now, but not if I have anything to do with it. The view straight to the Mackinac Bridge from the bluffs is something everyone should see.
While you’re there, explore the park a little more and take the trail down to the water’s edge for one last look at the bridge. It’s a perspective that makes the whole stop unforgettable.

View #9 – Mission Hill
Mission Hill in Brimley is one of the most underrated fall views in the U.P. From the platform, you can see three lakes at once. Spectacle, Monocle, and the vast expanse of Lake Superior. The real adventure starts when you look just to the left of the platform to find the trail. It winds down to Monocle Lake and follows the ridgeline, giving you new angles of the same view you started with. That combination of sweeping overlook and quiet forest trail makes Mission Hill a fall favorite.

View #10– St. Marys River
The St. Marys River is a perfect spot for anyone chasing fall color. From Rotary Park in Sault Ste. Marie, you can watch the ships pass with the trees as a backdrop. We like to take it one step further by getting out on the water, whether it’s a paddle, a boat ride, or a tour. The contrast of the river against the fall colors is spectacular. This spot is also personal for us. Each year, our family goes salmon fishing here, and it’s where we have caught some of our favorite fish.

These 10 spots prove that fall in the Upper Peninsula is about more than just color. it’s about pairing those views with the adventures that bring them to life. From bridges and waterfalls to trails and quiet moments, each one adds another story beyond the frame. And the best part? There are always more views and more adventures waiting in the U.P.

Check out the 2 part video series below!