The predicted color stage on the selected date, modelled from years of fall color records. A forecast, not a live observation.When each area's color is predicted to peak this season. The date doesn't change this view.
Fall Cliffs

NPS · Public domain

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

A striking contrast of multicolored cliffs, blue waters, and autumn forests.

Typical peak
Oct 9
Early October
Best Viewing Window
Oct 4 – Oct 14
Early October to Mid October
Observed now
Peak color
The newest satellite reading was 4 days old at the latest update.
20 sample points · about 6 clear looks per point.
What the trees look like now, not a forecast.

Forest Composition

Maple Beech Birch dominant
Maple / Beech / Birch59%
Aspen / Birch4%
70% deciduous canopy (forest survey)

Conditions & 5-Day Forecast

Fetching forecast...

Nearby Towns

Marquette62 mi1 hr 32 minParadise83 mi1 hr 50 minPetoskey158 mi3 hr 24 min
© OpenStreetMap contributors · Esri, Garmin, USGS, NPS, HERE · Terrain data: USGS, NOAA; contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada; source: INEGI, Continental relief, 2016Powered by Esri

Field notes · 2026 estimate

When to see peak color at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Peak fall color is predicted around October 9. Plan for the strongest viewing window from October 4 to October 14.

Predicted peakOctober 9
Best windowOctober 4 – October 14
Confidence range±5 days

The prediction comes from 24 years of fall color records at this spot, checked against what observers on the ground saw. Where state foliage spotters report peak (New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Missouri), it has landed inside our ±5-day window about two years in three. An unusual summer or autumn can still move it further. Explore fall color around Burt Township and across Michigan.

That is 2 days earlier than usual (October 11): the six weeks to September 29 ran 1.3°F cooler than the 2001–2025 average, and a cooler run before peak brings forward the color.

Nearby locales

Other places to see color near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

1 to 2 hours

Over 3 hours