Fall Color is right here in Southeast Michigan
Fall Colors draw many people out for walks and drives from Southeast Michigan. The towns and scenes from Up North call like sirens to come and travel to see the fall colors. You may not have the opportunity to get away, but you don’t have to miss out on the beauty of fall in Michigan. Keep reading for some key spots to see the fall colors in Southeast Michigan this season.
There are some outstanding roads and parks to view fall colors right here in Southeast Michigan.
Walking Trails
Three interconnected old railways are now Trailways owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in Northern Oakland County and Southern Lapeer County. All of these walking trails are dog-friendly. Just clean up after them and keep them on a leash. From South to North, the trails are:
Paint Creek Trail
The Paint Creek Trail is 8.9 Miles long and roughly follows the small Paint Creek. The path is 8 ft wide and hard-packed with light gravel for a smooth and even walk. The trail runs from Rochester to Lake Orion. Please see the map for directions and parking.
Polly Ann Trail in Oakland County
The Polly Ann Trail starts in Orion Township and runs roughly northeast until it reaches the Lapeer county line just north of Leonard, Michigan. The trail is relatively flat, wide, and smooth. It is hard-packed with light gravel in most areas and is paved through the village of Oxford. If you are walking the Oxford portion of the trail, there are several other things to do while you are there.
Polly Ann Trail in Lapeer County
The Lapeer section of the Polly Ann Trail is mainly undeveloped and suitable for horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking. This trail is an extension of the Oakland County section beginning north of Leonard and ending at Mill Street north of Lum, Michigan.
All of these walking trails offer beautiful natural views along the route. There are various parking areas along the way, so you can choose which sections would be most convenient or interesting to you.
Parks
Many parks in this section of Southeast Michigan offer places to park or get out and walk. All these parks allow dogs except one: 7 Ponds Nature Center does not allow dogs. Bring your furry friend to the other parks, keep them leashed, and clean up after them. Starting again from South to North, the parks are:
Bald Mountain State Recreation Area
Bald Mountain has 15 miles of marked hiking trails. The park is in Lake Orion, Michigan, and is easy to access just off M24. Please note that the main entrance is closed until April 2024 for repairs; use the secondary entrance on Greenshield Rd. Some of these trails are steep and rugged but provide beautiful walks through marsh and forest.
Oakwood Lake Park
Oakwood Lake Park is North of Oxford, Michigan, just off of M24 on Oakwood Rd. There is a main marked trail that is also a disc golf course, so you could combine the fall colors with some recreation. Many trails aren’t marked, so be alert and enjoy exploring the 300 acres of woods, river, and lake while taking in the fall colors.
7 Ponds Nature Center
7 Ponds Nature Center has a beautiful and well-kept trail system with many different habitats near Dryden, Michigan. They also have an interpretive building open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. The building has examples of wildlife and a whole section of items that can be touched for hands-on learning about animals and nature. There is a birdwatching area where you can sit, watch, and listen to the birds feeding just outside the windows. A gift shop with many unique nature-oriented gifts is just inside the doorway. 7 Ponds also has guided walks that you can join; just be sure to pre-register online.
Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area
Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area is between Metamora and Hadley to the West of M24. This is a great location if you want to camp while enjoying the fall colors. The campground is in a lovely hardwood forest next to a lake. It is beautiful here in the fall. There are also walking trails and a beach for day use from which you can view the fall colors.
Sutherland Nature Sanctuary
Sutherland Nature Sanctuary is southeast of Hadley, Michigan. This is a small park of 75 acres with multiple habitats. The trails are rugged and somewhat muddy. It’s a quiet park, and you will likely have the trails all to yourself. This is a serene place to enjoy fall color off the beaten path.
Rowden Park
Rowden Park is at the north end of Lapeer on M24. The park has a 1-mile loop and year-round restrooms. The loop is flat and easy to walk. If you want a longer walk through more wooded areas to view the colors, you can extend the walk all the way into the city of Lapeer and even take it to the downtown area and grab a bite to eat before the walk back to the park.
Drives
Fall Color Drives are an enjoyable way for many people to see the colors. Below are two color drives that can end at one of the parks or trails mentioned above. You can drive through the colors and then get out and walk before getting back in the car to drive home.
If you bring a dog with you for fun, be aware that the first drive ends at a trail that allows dogs, but the second one can end at a park that does not allow dogs.
Drive 1 is in Orion Township
This drive begins at M24 and W. Scripps Rd. Drive Scripps Road West to Joslyn. Turn South (left) at Joslyn Road until you get to Greenshield Road and turn East (left again). You are now headed back to M24. You will continue East on Greenshield past M24, but you must first do a short turnaround. Take M24 South to the first left u-turn and return to Greenshield. At Greenshield, turn East (right) to continue your Greenshield drive. Greenshield Road is a designated Natural Beauty Rd. Take Greenshield to Kern Road and turn North (left). When Kern Road meets Clarkston Road, the drive is complete.
A parking area for the Paint Creek Trail is at this intersection. You can get out and walk here to continue enjoying the fall colors or turn West (left) on Clarkston Road, which will take you back to M24.
Note: G’s Pizzeria is at the corner of Greenshield and M24, which is in the middle of your drive. This is a great pizza place, so if you plan it right, you can stop in for lunch or dinner while you are out seeing the fall colors. We have eaten here many times, and the food is always great.
Drive 2 is in Oxford Township
You begin your drive at M24 and Davison Lake Rd. Turn East onto Davison Lake Road and take it to Delano Road. You will turn South (right) and stay on Delano until you reach Ray Road. Delano is designated a Natural Beauty Road. Turn East (left) at Ray Road and remain on Ray, also a Natural Beauty Road, until you reach Lake George Road. Turn North (left) on Lake George Rd. When you reach Oakwood Road, the wide road curves left. To stay on Lake George Road, continue straight (North) instead of curving with the road. Lake George Road is narrow and winding through dense forest at this point. Go slowly and enjoy the colors.
If you want to stop at 7 Ponds Nature Center mentioned above, turn East (left) when you get to Crawford Road, and just a short way down the road, 7 Ponds will be on your left.
To avoid the park, you can stay on Lake George Road until you get to Dryden Road. If you go West (left), Dryden Road will take you back to M24 through downtown Metamora, where you can stop for snacks, lunch, or dinner at the Metamora General Store or the White Horse Inn.
If you go East (right), Dryden Road will take you to M53.
This drive is close to Oxford, Michigan. If you come from the South up M24, you will go through Oxford. If you want to make a whole day trip, you can check out our list of things to do in Oxford.
Colors Right in Your Backyard
As you can see, you don’t have to make an extended trip or a long drive to see the fall colors. There is a full palette of beauty right here in Southeast Michigan. We hope you check out one or more of these and enjoy your stunning fall in Michigan.
Have your own favorite Southeast Michigan drive? Did we miss one? Drop a note in the comments below!