Ahead of the changing season, various Michigan-based organizations have compiled a list of the best leaf-viewing locations.

Denise Donohue, CEO of the Country Road Association of Michigan, said the group “encourages Michiganders to explore the beauty of the Upper Peninsula this fall. We all know Michigan has a lot to offer, and the changing leaves are just one of the state’s admirable qualities.”

USA Today has voted the U.P. as the top fall color destination three out of the last five years.

“Fall color in the U.P. is always remarkable,” said U.P. Travel & Recreation Associate Director Adonia Finendale. “We have a variety of tree species that give us a kaleidoscope of color. Maples, oaks, birches and aspens change from lush greens to spectacular reds, oranges and yellows.”

Along with local county road agencies, the CRA has developed a list of the best meandering county roads in the U.P. to view the colors. Colors will be the brightest, according to Finendale, in the last week of September and the first two weeks of October.

Marquette County also has some of the best views in the peninsula. Travel County Road 510 from County Road 502 north to Big Bay, Triple A off County Road 510 in Big Bay, County Road 533 in Skandia or M-35 from County Road 480 to Gwinn.

Finendale’s personal favorite places include the CR510 Bridge, Thomas Rock and Sugarload Mountain where she can enjoy “the crispness, the earthy smells and the ability to immerse yourself.”

“From scenic Brockway Way Drive in the Keweenaw to the Porcupine Mountains to Pictured Rocks to Tahquamenon Falls,” she said, “the diverse landscape of the U.P. lends to viewing amazing natural attractions with the fall color background.”

We are blessed to have some of the most beautiful fall foliage in the entire country — it only makes sense to get out and enjoy it. If you have some free time during the peak season, you may want to consider hitting the great wide open and seeing all our area has to offer.

For a full list of suggested fall color travel routes, see the article in today’s paper.