Celebrating Leelanau and the people who protect it.
The bustle of summer has faded, and an air of calm has settled across Leelanau.
Cool lake breezes mix with earthy petrichor (our favorite fall scent). Soft autumn light dances through color-changing canopies. Birds migrate overhead, and fresh fungi pop up beneath fallen leaves. The season of harvest—of embracing change—is here.
This is fall in Leelanau. Help us preserve the magic.
How to Fall for Leelanau
- Make a gift in honor of our beautiful peninsula! Whether you are in Leelanau or watching the leaves turn from afar, your donation makes an immediate and lasting impact on preserving Leelanau for today and future generations.
- Follow the Leelanau Conservancy on social media and share how you Fall for Leelanau. Whether you do our driving tour or go on a hike, bike, or paddle, make sure to tag @leelanauconservancy so we can reshare your adventures!
- Participate in our annuall Fall for Leelanau events! Schedule below:
Fall for Leelanau 2025
Monday, September 22
Happy Fall! Today marks the autumn equinox—celebrate with a hike at one of our natural areas.
Tuesday, September 23
Fern Transplanting Workbee at Palmer Woods, 5–7 p.m.
Head to Palmer Woods Forest Reserve and team up with Conservancy staff and trail crew members for a workbee focused on transplanting in the fern garden. Meet at the main parking area. Sign up here.
Thursday, September 25
Old-Growth Forest Network Dedication & Walk at Kehl Lake, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Join LC Staffers, friends and representatives from the Old-Growth Forest Network for the dedication of Kehl Lake Natural Area, the second forest in Leelanau to be inducted into this network. A staff-guided hike will follow the dedication. Sign up here.
Friday, September 26
Harvest at DeYoung Natural Area, 5–7 p.m.
A Celebration of Recreation & Conservation hosted by the LC Collective (LCC), the Leelanau Conservancy’s Next Generation Council
Join us for an evening of music, local food, and a thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of recreation and conservation in the beautiful surroundings of DeYoung Natural Area Farmstead.
- Music by Sierra Cassidy of i.am.james
- Food & Drinks curated by Kelsey Duda, LCC member
- Local artist showcase benefitting Leelanau Conservancy
- Recreation & Conservation Panel moderated by Beth Milligan and featuring perspectives from:
- Chad Jordan, Infrastructure Manager, Leelanau Conservancy
- Becky Hill, Director of Natural Areas and Preserves, Leelanau Conservancy
- Geoffrey Halstad, Art Director at Patagonia + LCC member
- Jonathan Jarosz, Executive Director at Heart of the Lakes
- Additional Fun: Mobile children’s museum from Great Lakes Children’s Museum
Celebrate harvest season with us! Sign up here.
Saturday, September 27
Nature Bingo Hike at DeYoung Natural Area, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Enjoy a docent-led hike at DeYoung Natural Area and look for various creatures and objects that live in the forest; we’ll see who can get a bingo first. Come by yourself, bring a friend, or bring the whole family to join the hunt—you may even win a prize! This walk will be about 1.5 miles with some gradual ascents/descents, and will be approximately 2 hours. Sign up here.
Sunday, September 28
Fall Flora Hike at Whaleback Natural Area, 1 p.m.
Celebrate Fall for Leelanau at the iconic Whaleback Natural Area! On this docent-guided hike, we’ll explore and investigate the flora along the trail as we head to the platform to take in a lovely view of the lake and Pyramid Point. Whaleback has a moderate quarter-mile climb to the top. Hiking poles are helpful; we also recommend bringing water. Sign up here.
Fall for Leelanau Driving Tour
Tour #1: Southwest Leelanau Driving Loop
51 MILES / 1.5 HOURS DRIVING TIME / + TIME FOR STOPS AND HIKES
LINK TO GOOGLE MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MeA6Z4pKmehZAPWk8
We recommend downloading / printing these directions prior to starting your drive, as many parts of Leelanau have limited or no cell service. And, having a map in the car is always a good idea! Enjoy your Leelanau adventure!
Overview:
This route will take you through the Southwest area of Leelanau, from Chippewa Run Natural area just north of Empire–traveling through part of the National Lakeshore with views of privately protected lands with Conservation Easements–to multiple Leelanau Conservancy Natural Areas where you have the opportunity to get out and stretch your legs for a hike or bike at Palmer Woods, hike at Krumweide Forest Reserve, or Swanson Preserve. Then travel south to the town of Cedar and the Cedar River Preserve, looping back west through Maple City and Glen Arbor to finish in Empire via M22. Fuel stations are available in Empire, Cedar, Maple City and Glen Arbor.
Stops along the way: (Look for our Leelanau Conservancy signs for places to explore)
Chippewa Run Natural Area – Hiking trails on both sides of M22 show this diverse landscape.
Inspiration Point – Overlook on Big Glen Lake, part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Palmer Woods Forest Reserve– Great hiking and Mountain Biking in our largest Natural Area
Krumwiede Forest Reserve– A hiking trail through a dense, varied forest with spectacular fall color
Swanson Preserve– A varied landscape with a short hiking trail out to the edge of Little Traverse Lake
Cedar River Preserve– Just north of the Village of Cedar is the river access to the Cedar River Preserve, a fantastic place to kayak or canoe. Cedar River flows into the South end of Lake Leelanau, paddle length is 4-5 miles round trip. Water is slow-moving.
Stop by and say hello to our Friends at Blue Moon Ice Cream in Cedar for a little pick-me-up! Also on the corner of the main intersection is a fruit stand.
In Glen Arbor, friends of the Conservancy serve up some great treats & eats! Cherry Republic and Art’s Tavern can make it-to go or dine-in, or stop by Anderson’s Market for dinner supplies and an extensive selection of local wines and beers.
*For more details on the Natural Areas and Forest Reserves, please visit our leelanauconservancy.org/explore or arrange to pick up a Natural Areas Guide from our Leland Office.
* Please remember that lands with Conservation Easements are private property. Our Natural Areas with Leelanau Conservancy signs and trail maps are areas where you may hike and recreate.
Tour #2: Southeast Leelanau Driving Loop
35 MILES / 48 MINUTES DRIVING TIME / + TIME FOR STOPS AND HIKES
LINK TO GOOGLE MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5pfvXnTjqGZBMqRc7
We recommend downloading / printing these directions prior to starting your drive, as many parts of Leelanau have limited or no cell service. And, having a map in the car is always a good idea! Enjoy your Leelanau adventure!
Overview:
Start in the SE area of Leelanau at DeYoung Natural Area, where you can explore a historic farmstead with barns and outbuildings, or take the short walk down to the protected shores of Cedar Lake. After your hike, consider a refreshment pitstop at the nearby (protected) Brengman Brothers VIneyard. Traveling north, Center Highway will take you through the heart of central Leelanau, and you will pass through 630 acres of lands protected with private conservation easements, forever protecting the views you see. On your way to Sutton’s Bay, visit the protected Mawby Vineyard, or stop by Stites Natural Area, then head to M204 and circle back down along the shore of Lake Leelanau finishing back at DeYoung.
Stops along the way:
DeYoung Natural Area– a 160 acre preserve in partnership with Elmwood Township.
Brengman Brothers Winery–Experience great wines made from sustainable vineyard practices. The vineyard is also protected with a conservation easement.
Mawby Vineyards– Our friends at Mawby create some of the region’s finest sparkling wines. Call ahead for a reservation to stop by for a taste, and enjoy the views.
Stites Natural Area – Our newest natural area, located within walking distance of the village of Suttons Bay with a short hiking trail through a northern hardwood forest.
9 Bean Rows– Be sure to stop by for the best pastries in the county, various breads, and wood-fired pizza along with some of the largest gourds and pumpkins around!
Veronica Valley Park – A 92 acre County Park adjacent to Mebert Creek Preserve (no access from the road) these wetland areas support the health of the Lake Leelanau watershed.
Farm Club– A farm, restaurant, brewery, bakery and marketplace with an outdoor seating area and firepits to take in the spectacular Leelanau landscape.
*For more details on the Natural Areas and Forest Reserves, please visit our website or pick up a Natural Areas Guide from our Leland Office.
* Please remember that lands with Conservation Easements are private property. Our Natural Areas with Leelanau Conservancy signs and trail maps are areas where you may hike and recreate.
Tour #3: Northern Leelanau Driving Loop
46 MILES / 1 HOUR, 15 MINUTES DRIVING TIME / + TIME FOR STOPS AND HIKES
LINK TO GOOGLE MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/z3qZh21wwx5Er9u3A
We recommend downloading / printing these directions prior to starting your drive, as many parts of Leelanau have limited or no cell service. And, having a map in the car is always a good idea! Enjoy your Leelanau adventure!
Overview:
Starting in the Village of Leland stop by Hall Beach Preserve to take in the views of Leland Harbor and Lake Michigan, stop and fuel up at one of the many restaurants and continue North on M22 to Clay Cliffs Natural Area. Heading inland to the central area of the peninsula will take you by a historic church, preserved farmland and vineyards, and high elevation views. Peterson Park on Lake Michigan, Kehl Lake Natural Area and the shoreline of West Grand Traverse Bay await you on your route circling back through wine country and the village of Lake Leelanau.
Stops along the way:
Hall Beach Preserve – A slice of heaven right in town, immediately south of the Leland Harbor, adjacent to Van’s Beach.
Leland Restaurant Suggestions – Trish’s Dishes for coffee, sandwiches & soups and the Leland Lodge for pub-style fare – all have outside seating.
St. Wenceslaus– A historic church dating back to 1890.
Clay Cliffs Natural Area– A 1.5 mile hiking trail leads to a breathtaking view 200 feet above Lake Michigan, circling back through a meadow with view of Lake Leelanau and preserved farmland on the hills beyond. This Natural Area protects 1,700 feet of shoreline on both Lake Leelanau and Lake Michigan.
Peterson Park– Great views of Lake Michigan and rock hunting.
Kehl Lake Natural Area– Hike near the lake and explore our newly updated boardwalk and viewing platform.
Tandem Ciders– Longtime supporters and friends of the Conservancy, making great cider from local apples.
Lake Leelanau Narrows– As you travel the bridge in the village of Lake Leelanau, notice on the North East side of the bridge is the Narrows Natural Area that has 2,350 feet of protected shoreline and over 120 plant species in this wetland that is best viewed by boat. (No trails).
Whaleback Natural Area– Just south of Leland, the 1-mile, hilly trail of Whaleback leads you to spectacular views of Lake Michigan.
* Please remember that lands with Conservation Easements are private property. Our Natural Areas with Leelanau Conservancy signs and trail maps are areas where you may hike and recreate.
Did you know that many of the beautiful fall views you see while driving around Leelanau are other corridors of natural and agricultural land in our County that have been protected through private conservation easements with the Leelanau Conservancy?
Private conservation easements are a way for landowners to ensure that their land, which remains in private ownership, will never become developed. While land with a private conservation easement is not open to the public, there are many beautiful corridors that you can view on a drive through the County. This permanent land protection is possible thanks to the generous support of community members like you.
This fall, get off the beaten path with one of these three suggested routes that will take you on a scenic journey, with views of protected land that will remain unchanged for generations to come. Spend an hour, an afternoon or a weekend immersed in the colors of Leelanau!
Share your Fall for Leelanau adventure with us on social media by tagging us.
To learn more about Conservation Easements with the Leelanau Conservancy, please visit: https://leelanauconservancy.org/our-work/land-protection-and-stewardship/protect-your-land/
