Fall Foliage Peak 2023: When To Time Leaf-Peeping Tours In MI

MICHIGAN — A new interactive map that helps leaf-peepers time their fall foliage tours suggests leaves in Michigan will be their most brilliant the week of Oct. 9.

The 2023 Fall Foliage Prediction Map, released Thursday from the travel group SmokyMountains.com, uses a refined data model that takes into consideration factors, including historical and forecast temperatures and precipitation, the types of trees prominent in specific geographic areas, and real-time user reports.

The map is easy to use. The slider at the bottom resets weekly to include the latest data. To see when leaves are expected to peak, move the slider to the right. Leaves haven’t started changing yet in green areas, and the brown color means foliage has passed its peak.

Like any meteorological forecast dependent upon weather variables, leaf predictions aren’t always 100 percent accurate, but the map does give Michigan leaf-peepers a pretty good shot at seeing autumn leaves when they turn their most blazing reds, vibrant orange and sunny yellows, map creator David Angotti said in a news release.

Angotti, an expert in statistics and a former airline transport pilot, used his understanding of weather patterns and meteorological tools to create the predictive map in 2013 as a tool for visitors to the Smoky Mountains who wanted to time their trips to the fall foliage peak.

As data collected in subsequent years has been added to the model, it has become a go-to tool for “tens of millions of people use our map each year to plan vacations, weddings and photography trips,” Angotti said.

“What started as a fun side project quickly became the most respected nationwide fall leaf map and one of the best fall resources in the country,” Angotti said.

New this year is the ability of map users to submit photos reflecting the actual progression of fall. That information will be added to the formula used to develop the map, which should make predictions next year more accurate, Angotti said.

Most map users are interested in learning when the leaves will peak close to where they live.

While fall colors will peak across most of Michigan the week of Oct. 9, most of the western side of the state, especially on the Lake Michigan shoreline will peak a week later. Also, Michigan's fall colors in the western portion of the Upper Peninsula will peak the week of Oct. 2.

For people planning to travel, the site curated a list of the best places to see fall foliage in every state.

Some of the recommended places in Michigan to see fall leaves are:

Porcupine Mountains

Simply known as the Porkies, the mountains stretch over 31,000 acres across the northern hardwood forest in Michigan's upper peninsula. The trees are beautifully crested among Lake Superior, offering fascinating views. The rushing waterfalls found along the 90 miles of trails offer picturesque views as well, especially when surrounded by the native sugar maples, basswood and yellow birch trees.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park

Also in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the state park features many trails and waterfalls that are hovered by trees. Its Upper Falls feature a 50-foot drop into over 200-wide-falls into Lake Superior. From nearly every vantage point, the tree canopies create a vibrant patchwork of warm and cool tones.

Mackinac Island

On your ferry ride over to Mackinaw Island, you'll notice the island surrounded by forests where you’ll find all the most colorful trees, including elm, birch and maple. In addition, the boreal forest, marshes and coastline all offer different ways to enjoy the changing vegetation and catch sight of local wildlife.