(Published Fall 2025 in the Leelanau Enterprise, by Allison Acosta, LC staff.)
Fall in Leelanau is a treat for the senses. Each year, leaf peepers near and far flock to our county roads to witness our lush forests and shorelines burst with a kaleidoscope of color.
Perhaps best of all, there’s no wrong choice when it comes to choosing your adventure—each road trip offers something unique, from big water overlooks and dense wooded hikes, to idyllic pumpkin patches and orchards serving up fresh-pressed cider and homemade doughnuts.
Many of the views you’re enjoying while on a fall color drive are protected by the Leelanau Conservancy, whether it’s a private conservation easement on agricultural land, or along a natural area. These easements between landowners and the Conservancy ensure that their land will remain undeveloped, permanently preserving these picturesque landscapes for generations to come.
A perfect complement to those color tour views? A stop at one (or two … or three …) of the Conservancy’s 30 natural areas across the peninsula. A walk through a nature preserve offers a chance not only to stretch your legs, but to stop, slow down, and take in autumn Up North.
Smell the cool lake breeze as it mixes with the leaves’ damp, earthy petrichor. Notice how light dances through colorful canopies, dappling the forest floor. Look up high for migrating birds, and low for fresh fall fungi. Watch leaves twirl to the ground, and enjoy the crunch underneath each footstep.
Below are some of our favorite spots to explore and enjoy Leelanau’s autumn splendor. We hope you take some time this fall to enjoy them, too!
Bart and Gail Ingraham Preserve / Cedar River Preserve
We’d be remiss if we didn’t encourage you to explore one of the wildest places left in Leelanau this fall—the Cedar River Preserve.
Rich in diverse ecosystems, micro-habitats and wildlife, we like to think of this special place as “the Everglades of Northern Michigan.” Fen, shrub scrub and aquatic systems support sandhill cranes, ospreys and kingfishers, as well as mink, muskrats, green frogs and turtles. Rare carnivorous wetland plants like yellow pitchers, sundew and bladderwort thrive here as well.
The Ingraham Preserve, an 80-acre addition to the Cedar River Preserve, provides the first dry land access to this property, and offers a beautiful and quiet 1.3-mile loop hike along the Ridgeline Trail. This path meanders through meadows and forests, immersing hikers in fall color from every angle. Following a steady climb along the ridgeline, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the Solon Swamp, the Cedar River and South Lake Leelanau.
From this vantage, you can also see an impressive stand of golden tamaracks. Around mid-October, the stand begins to transform—shifting from lime green to lemon yellow, with a brightly speckled backdrop of reds and oranges in every hue. As the leaves fall, the tamaracks shift once more to a deep gold—a scene that can be enjoyed through the early days of November.
Kehl Lake Natural Area
If you’re looking for a dreamy spot to journal or plein air paint, Kehl Lake is the place. Each fall, we look forward to the lake’s prismatic tree line reflecting across the water—life imitating art.
The two miles of trail here traverse moderately sloped terrain, and lead visitors to a viewing platform over marshland that’s ideal for birding (Kehl Lake is part of a critical flyway for migrating birds). Hikers can also enjoy views of protected wetlands and a towering mixed forest that’s home to 100-year-old hemlocks and old-growth white pines.
This preserve’s claim to fame: stands of mature white birch trees, many of which are over a century old. In the fall, their signature white bark is complemented by bright yellow foliage, creating a beautiful mosaic alongside vivid red oak and maples; and golden-hued aspen, beech and tamarack.
The 3.3 miles of trails here range from easy to challenging—some moderately difficult areas include sandy trails, stairs and slopes. Hikers have multiple loops and trail options to choose from, the most strenuous being the Ridgeline Trail, with about 0.7 miles of difficult terrain that leads to the highest elevation of Houdek Dunes.
Those looking for a less intensive experience can head toward Houdek Creek Trail and enjoy a rest at a peaceful deck and sitting area overlooking the creek, built and donated by the Houdek family.
Bonus: Clay Cliffs Natural Area is just 3 miles south, offering a 1.5-mile trail system on varied terrain, and a dramatic viewing platform that rises 200 feet above Lake Michigan.
This 70-acre ecological gem is home to remarkable ridgeline views and a majestic hardwood forest that boasts fabulous colors in the fall. Some of the trees here are more than 100 years old and tower high above, making this property a beautiful choice for a meditative autumn stroll. You might even run into some local wildlife, including grouse, woodcock, turkey, deer and the occasional bobcat.
This hilly trail system (with an initial steep incline) was completed last year, and now totals 5 miles. The ridgeline views are perfect in October—enjoy a vibrant color display toward the first half of the month, and once the leaves fall, you can see across to Old Mission Peninsula.
LC Infrastructure Manager Chad Jordan says one of his favorite aspects about this wild haven is its accessibility.
“When you’re in the heart of Stites, you feel like you’re in the middle of an expansive forest, and you are,” Jordan says, “but you’re also a mile from the post office in Suttons Bay. It’s really accessible for the community.”
For hardier hikers or trail runners seeking a more remote, backcountry experience, we suggest heading to Palmer Woods—specifically, the Martin Brothers Loop trail.
Set aside a good chunk of time for this trek, bring water, and be prepared to hike at least 5 miles, starting at the main parking lot. From there, the shortest distance to the loop trail is by following the trail markers in this order: 1–10–11–12. (Trust us, don’t count on your phone for navigation—we recommend planning your route ahead of time and taking pictures of map kiosks before you depart, as Palmer Woods often has no cell reception. And always tell someone where you’re going before embarking on this kind of adventure.)
The loop trail, which is mostly single-track with some two-track mixed in, will take you toward the center of the reserve, and features a little spur that leads to a view of Good Harbor Bay.
The majestic hardwoods throughout this old-growth forest put on a dazzling display of autumn color, with beech and sugar maple lighting up in fiery red, orange and yellow. Palmer Woods is where you go for a quintessential fall hike.
Bonus: Head north along S. Wheeler Road to Krumweide Forest Reserve for even more fall hiking along a 1.9-mile woodland trail that runs beneath golden aspen, sugar maples, beech, hemlock and red oak. Note: The trek down the back side is much steeper than the gentle ascent.
Looking for more fall fun? The Conservancy’s Fall for Leelanau celebration will take place Sept. 22–28 this year, with an array of hikes, workbees and events, including our annual Harvest gathering at the DeYoung Natural Area farmhouse on Friday, Sept. 26, from 5–7 p.m.
