The Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau tries to make things easy for you. We’ve got five color routes all mapped out so you can hit the road and enjoy the views – no Google, Apple Maps or GPS even required. But driving tours are just one way to see the autumn hues. What are the others? So glad you asked!

Kayak – Grab a life jacket and hit the area lakes and rivers. Choose a calm day and bring your own kayak (or canoe) or rent one. Serenity prevails when it’s you and your kayak – and maybe a friend or two – quietly gliding across the water. Looking towards shore you’ll really be able to see the multitude of color.

Zipline – Jump on a zipline and make like Tarzan on a thrilling ride through the trees. Boyne Highlands and  Boyne Mountain both offer full-blown zipline adventures guaranteed to get your heart pumping. That close to the trees, it’s impossible to miss fall’s reds, oranges and yellows invading the greens of summer.

HikeYou could hike a different trail every day for a month and still not have taken in all the routes within the Petoskey Area. Wide open fields, wooded enclaves, switchbacks in the pines – here you’ll find a huge variety of places to roam and some dazzling views that make the treks all the sweeter.

BikeYou say you prefer to travel on two wheels over your two feet? No worries. Take a leisurely ride on the Boyne City to Charlevoix Trail, the mostly flat North Western State Trail, or the brand new Boyne Valley Trail that runs between Boyne City and Boyne Falls and takes you to all the other outdoor fun at Boyne Mountain. The Little Traverse Wheelway, a favorite for many, is open this year, but with a mile and a quarter closure due to erosion. Mountain bikers will find plenty of terrific opportunities to work up a sweat on several trails, too, including the newly completed Tanton Family Working Reserve on the east side of Petoskey. 

Chairlift – Boyne Mountain Resort and Boyne Highlands Resort both offer scenic chairlift rides in the fall, so you can get a birds-eye view of the spectacular color. These rides not only let you see for miles, but give you a chance to sit back, relax and soak up the sunshine. Be sure to check in advance for cost and times of operation.

Color yourself happy and head to the Petoskey Area this autumn. Bring your mask, a great attitude and the urge to explore the various shades of fall.

New Call-to-action

About the author

Diane Dakins is passionate about all the lakeside communities that comprise the Petoskey Area of northern Michigan: Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Bay Harbor and Boyne City. As assistant director of the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau, she has “been there – seen that” when it comes to virtually every area attraction. Her blogs give potential visitors the scoop on planning a northern Michigan vacation.