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Alpena Shades of Autumn: Where to Find Nature’s Color Palette

Posted on October 19th, 2021
Grab your cameras and check out this list of some of the best places to see the shades of autumn in Alpena, hand-picked by our Facebook fans.
Alpena

Autumn in Evergreen Cemetery

Take a drive down Washington Ave. and as you look into Holy Cross and Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, the colors of the trees above are brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow. The leaves eventually start to shed, weaving a beautiful blanket of color throughout the cemetery pathways. A great spot to take an afternoon walk with the leaves crunching at your feet. Another way to get in your fall color is by water. Kayak up and down the Thunder Bay River during peak autumn color season for a shoreline dotted in the vivid colors of maple, oak, and birch leaves.

Alcona

Black River Hills just south of Ossineke offers a beautiful drive in the fall season. With long, winding roads down the hills of US-23, this panoramic view is the perfect backdrop for fall photography. Head down to the river and see what kind of foliage awaits there; take pictures and be sure to tag us on social media @SanctuaryOfTheGreatLakes.

Presque Isle
Fall color and mist

Fall color and mist; photo by Paul Gerow

Heading north from Alpena on US-23 takes you to the land that was almost an island. With shining Grand Lake as its centerpiece, pull off the road on US-23 where it overlooks Grand Lake and Grand Island, and enjoy the view. Another pristine autumn spot in the Presque Isle area is the New Presque Isle Lighthouse. Take E. Grand Lake Rd. until you see the sign for the lighthouses. The tight road leading up to the lighthouse is lined with deciduous trees, making a handsome canopy of color above you. Climb to the top of the lighthouse for a 360-degree view of fall color from 109 ft. above ground level, with Grand Lake and Lake Huron both visible with shades of autumn sandwiched between these two glistening bodies of water.

Lachine

Drive west from Alpena on M-32 for approximately 14 miles and turn left onto S. Manning Hill Rd. in Lachine for a stop at Manning Hill Park. Being one of the highest points in Alpena County, this park offers spectacular views of the tree lines looking to the northwest. Commonly referred to as “fall’s coloring book”, this view of the countryside is breathtaking.

Hubbard Lake

Kayaking the Thunder Bay River during the fall; photo by Paul Gerow

There are several places to admire the beauty of autumn in the Hubbard Lake area. Start at Hubbard Lake General Store on Hubert Rd. and drive east for 1.5 miles, turn right on N. Hubbard Lake Rd., in 0.9 miles turn left to stay on N. Hubbard Lake Rd., drive 0.7 miles, and turn right on Bennett Rd. and then a left onto Robinhood Dr. You should see plenty of fall color if you take this drive at the right time in the season.

Continue on from Robinhood Dr., take a left on Bennett Rd. and drive back up to N. Hubbard Lake Rd. Take a right at N. Hubbard Lake Rd. and drive 1.5 miles, turn right to stay on N. Hubbard Lake Rd. and continue on until you see Swede Rd. and turn left. Take Swede Rd. all the way to F41 towards Lincoln and you should see brilliant fall colors along the way.

While you’re in the area, also check out North End Park and boat launch to view the colors of fall along the Hubbard Lake shoreline.

Posen

Norway Ridge

Check out the sinkholes of Stevens Twin and Bruski Sinks of Posen. Each sinkhole is about 200 feet in diameter, 85 feet deep, and lined by delicate fall foliage. Driving there is easy, with 2 different ways to get there depending on your location in Alpena. If you are closer to Long Rapids Rd., drive all the way to the end of Long Rapids Rd. (approximately 15 miles), then turn right onto M-65 North. Drive 0.4 miles and turn left onto Leer Rd. and continue 3.6 miles until you reach the sinkholes. You can also get there by taking M-32 West for approximately 14 miles, then turning right onto M-65, drive 4.4 miles until you see Leer Rd. and turn left.

Do you know of other spots in the Alpena area with gorgeous fall color views? Please email nicole@visitalpena.com with tips and we’ll include them in an updated post.

**A special thanks to Ken Connon, Jon Person, and Jim Klarich for sharing all their favorite fall color spots with us!