Traverse City Fall Colors

Fall in Traverse City is one of our four favorite seasons! For us, fall conjures up cozy images of flannels, corn mazes, pumpkins, and fresh apple cider. All these comforts are complemented by a backdrop of stunning and vibrant colors of the trees as they prepare for winter.

Seasonal festivities happen all around Traverse City and the surrounding area in the fall. You certainly won't want to miss Traverse City Beer Week!

Some leaves will start to change color as early as the beginning of September, however, peak colors usually occur in mid-October. 

Fall colors in Traverse City and the surrounding area typically peak in mid-October. However, seasonal temperatures have a large impact on the timing of the colors and can cause fluctuations of several weeks in either direction. Above-average fall temperatures will cause the colors to peak later than normal, while below-average temperatures will cause the colors to peak earlier.

The good news is that not all the trees in our area peak simultaneously, which allows for slightly more flexibility in timing. Areas near the shoreline tend to be cooler than inland areas, therefore trees near the lakeshore will peak sooner than those further from the coast.

We always post fall color updates on our Facebook and Instagram pages, so be sure to check them often for the most up-to-date statuses of fall colors in the Traverse City region.