Right on schedule
Most of U.P.\'s peak fall colors expected for late September, early October
A variety of colored leaves line the grass during a previous fall season. (Journal photo by Justin Marietti)
Fall colors line the edge of the Sturgeon River in western Marquette County during a previous fall season. (Journal photo by Justin Marietti)
A variety of colored leaves line the grass during a previous fall season. (Journal photo by Justin Marietti)
Fall colors line the edge of the Sturgeon River in western Marquette County during a previous fall season. (Journal photo by Justin Marietti)
Trending
MARQUETTE -- Although there are early signs of fall foliage scattered across the Upper Peninsula right now, it may be a while before peak color season arrives. As of Friday, predictions place the 2026 fall color season right on its historical schedule.
"Generally, the leaf show begins in mid to late September and peaks the first three weeks of October," reads a post on www.uptravel.com. "However, the color change progresses differently across the region. Fall color changes from west to east, and first from the interior of the U.P. and then out toward the Great Lakes."
According to www.almanac.com, leaves should begin changing more rapidly in the U.P. in late September before sweeping through the northern Lower Peninsula in early October and reaching southern Michigan by late October. The typical peak for the Great Lakes region is late September to late October.
"Every autumn is a little different, but the season follows familiar patterns," states the website.
In contrast, Northern Wisconsin is the first to reach peak color in late September, followed by central Wisconsin in mid-October and southern counties later in the month.
"Peak fall color usually lasts about one week in a given location, although weather conditions can shorten or extend the viewing window," says the website. "Weather plays the biggest role in both the timing and brilliance of fall leaves. Sunny days, cool nights, adequate rainfall, and the absence of strong winds often produce the brightest displays, while drought, heavy rain, or an early frost can shorten the season or reduce color intensity."
For more information, visit www.almanac.com/fall-foliage-map.
Another source, www.morethanjustparks.com, places the peak color season from Sept. 30 to Oct. 6 in Alger, Baraga, Chippewa, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Ontonagon, and Schoolcraft counties.