autumn Archives - Michigan Beachtowns

Bucket List Ideas for Fall Fun in Southwest Michigan

September 4, 2024October 1, 2024 St. Joseph Blog

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, Southwest Michigan comes alive with fall’s vibrant colors and flavors. This region, known for its scenic landscapes and rich agricultural heritage, offers diverse activities, making it the premier destination for autumn adventures. Whether you’re looking to savor the season’s bounty, immerse yourself in the beauty of fall foliage or enjoy family-friendly events, Southwest Michigan has something for everyone. Here’s your guide to the must-do fall activities in this picturesque corner of the state.

Pick Your Favorite Apples

Apple picking is a quintessential fall activity and Southwest Michigan is home to some of the state’s best orchards. With various apple types ripe for the picking, there’s nothing quite like spending a day at a local orchard, taking a hayride, and enjoying the crisp fall air while gathering a basket of fresh, juicy apples.

Fruit Acres Farm Market and U-Pick in Coloma offer U-pick apples and free hayrides in September and October. Their dwarf trees make picking easy and the market delivers a true “country experience.”
J.W. Morlock & Girls in Watervliet provides over 25 varieties of freshly picked apples, other homegrown produce, and Mo’s yummy 9-inch and mini-fruit pies.
Lehman’s Orchard in Niles sells pick-your-own apples, pears, plums, raspberries, and pumpkins in the fall. Their small nursery offers heirloom and dwarf apple trees to plant at home and a range of house-made products like wine, cider, and donuts. Place your order online for easy pickup.
Lemon Creek Winery in Berrien Springs offers U-pick apples and a historic winery experience. Its farm market is open daily during fruit season.
Stover’s Farm Market & U-Pic in Berrien Springs has been a family favorite for generations, offering 23 apple varieties and a range of pre-picked fruits and vegetables including pumpkins and gourds. Call ahead to check availability.

For a comprehensive list of the best apple orchards in the region and apple pick tips, click here.

Select The Perfect Pumpkin

Pumpkin picking is another favorite fall activity, especially for families. In Southwest Michigan, you’ll find numerous pumpkin patches and farm markets where you can enjoy seasonal treats and fun fall activities.

Dinges Fall Harvest in Three Oaks is the spot to find a variety of exotic and giant pumpkins. This patch offers an impressive selection of pumpkins, plus it features a corn maze, games and Halloween-themed monsters and ghouls. For a unique twist, join the dinosaur hunt — rumor has it, one is lurking around the farm!
Jollay Orchards has been a beloved fall tradition for generations. Here, you can find pumpkins for carving or baking, navigate a corn maze, and take a hayride. Jollay also offers u-pick apples and grapes, a not-too-spooky haunted house, outdoor games, and a well-stocked market. Don’t miss out on their cider and donuts — some of the best in Southwest Michigan.
Piggott’s Farm Market & Bakery offers a variety of fresh produce, including a large selection of pumpkins, apples, raspberries, squash, onions, and gorgeous mums. Be sure to pick up one of their homemade pies.
Sommerfeldt’s Fruit Farm is an easy drive into the country. Stop by to pick out a pumpkin and gourd and bring home soup vegetables, fall fruits, jams, jellies, and more.
St. Joe Farmers Market is the spot to find all your fall favorites, including homegrown pumpkins, seasonal fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, jams, cider, fall decorations, and more. After shopping, stroll through St. Joseph’s charming downtown or enjoy the views of the St. Joseph River and Lake Michigan.

Explore more pumpkin patches, farmers markets, farm stands, and you-picks as you tour our countryside. It’s a tradition you will look forward to every fall.

Explore Breathtaking Leaf-Peeping Parks

Southwest Michigan’s landscape transforms into a tapestry of vivid reds, oranges, and yellows as the leaves change color in the fall. Whether you drive through the countryside, hike in a state park, or simply stroll through a small town, the region’s fall foliage is something you won’t want to miss from September to late October

Some of the best places to see this beauty up close are in our parks. Add these destinations to your bucket list:

Galien River County Park is a prime spot for fall hiking, featuring the 60-foot-high Marsh Overlook Tower and the 600-foot-long Marsh Boardwalk. These structures offer stunning views of autumn foliage across wetlands, forests, and river vistas, making it an ideal fall foliage destination.
Grand Mere State Park has trails that take you to breathtaking views of Lake Michigan, serene dunes, and secluded woodlands bathed in autumn’s finest colors. This makes it an ideal destination for nature lovers seeking a peaceful, scenic escape.
Kal-Haven Trail is a popular destination for both hikers and bikers, stretching from South Haven to Kalamazoo. The trail’s canopy of trees creates a tunnel of color that is particularly breathtaking in mid-to-late October.
Love Creek County Park is a hidden gem for fall enthusiasts, offering hiking and mountain biking trails that wind through rich woodlands ablaze with autumn colors. The park’s diverse habitats, including meadows, wetlands, and forests, create a picturesque setting for spotting wildlife and migrating birds. This is one of the best parks for enjoying the tranquility of nature in its autumn splendor.
Sarett Nature Center is a prime spot for fall color, with its woodlands and wetlands transforming into a kaleidoscope of scarlets, oranges, russet browns, and sunny yellows. The center’s extensive trail system allows hikers to explore diverse ecosystems, from forests to marshes, while enjoying scenic overlooks and abundant birds and wildlife.
Warren Dunes State Park greets you with a canopy of colorful trees as you drive into the park. But that’s a prelude to the stunning view of fall colors set against a backdrop of Lake Michigan’s azure waters. The park’s towering dunes, beaches, and trails give many vantage points to take in the autumn scenery. Have a dog? This park has a designated beach to romp in and out of the water.
Warren Woods State Park offers a serene fall hiking experience, with trails winding through a beech-maple forest that transforms into a stunning display of autumn colors. Its old-growth trees, peaceful stream, and diverse wildlife create a tranquil setting. This is one of Southwest Michigan’s top no-tech, silent vacation getaways.

Stay updated on the best times to view fall colors by following the Southwest Michigan Fall Color Report.

Celebrate The Season

Southwest Michigan is home to various fall festivals that celebrate our bountiful harvest with food, music, and family-friendly activities. These events are a great way to experience our local culture and autumn’s festive spirit.

Fall Fest in Saint Joseph is a fun-filled celebration for all ages. Find the freshest local produce at the St. Joe Farmers Market, play at interactive booths, and pet the friendly animals from the Critter Barn. Then, walk into a hot-air balloon, listen to stories, and enter the Benton Harbor Sunrise Rotary Pumpkin Raffle. It’s a lively fall day along Lake Bluff Park.
The Four Flags Area Apple Festival in Niles is a must-visit event packed with fun for the whole family. Enjoy carnival rides, games, food, and everything apple — pastries, pies, cider, and more! Highlights include a Grande Parade, nightly entertainment, and arts and crafts booths.
The Under the Harvest Moon Festival in Dowagiac is a tribute to autumn, featuring vintage farm tractors, an open-air marketplace, and live entertainment. Enjoy delicious local food, pumpkin decorating, and family-friendly activities, too.
The South Haven Oktoberfest is a fun-filled celebration of Southwest Michigan’s harvest season. It blends outdoor fun with delicious food and craft beverages. Highlights include the 5.5K Run/Walk along a fall-color route, with medals, t-shirts, and post-race brews. Enjoy a spaghetti dinner and pancake breakfast, with all proceeds supporting local charities.

As you plan for your fall getaway, check our full calendar of fall events.

Experience The Makers Trail: Sip, Savor, Celebrate

Fall is an ideal time to explore Southwest Michigan’s thriving craft beverage scene. Celebrate the fall harvest with award-winning wines, seasonal craft beers, hard ciders, spirits, and fall-inspired cocktails. These experiences come alive with stunning vineyard views, bright fall colors, and lively seasonal events, making the Makers Trail the ultimate autumn adventure.

Dablon Winery invites you to savor fall with their European-inspired wines, enjoying them amidst the beautiful fall colors of their estate vineyard. It’s a peaceful and picturesque spot to relax during this spirit-lifting season.
Ghost Isle Brewery creates a cozy fall getaway with its craft beers and views of the Galien River. It’s an ideal spot to unwind with friends during the cooler months. This is the only Makers Trail stop with a ghost story … ask to hear it.
Journeyman Distillery blends craft spirits with historic charm and flavor-filled meals. Enjoy their unique cocktails in a warm and inviting setting.
River Saint Joe is the perfect fall destination, offering craft beers in a scenic, sustainable farm setting. Enjoy the changing leaves and organic brews, ciders, wines, and harvest foods while challenging your traveling companions to a game of bocce.
Round Barn Winery Estate with its vineyard views, family-friendly events, and seasonal wines is your go-to spot to sip and savor the flavors of autumn.
Tabor Hill Winery and Restaurant offers views of stunning foliage paired with its award-winning wines and delectable fall menu. Enjoy a leisurely hike with your beverage of choice on the Mt. Tabor Trails connecting Tabor Hill and Round Barn.

Several local companies offer guided tours that include transportation, allowing you to relax and fully enjoy the experience. For more information on tours, visit the Makers Trail website.

Get Spooked With Halloween Thrills For All Ages

Halloween in Southwest Michigan is a time for spooky fun, with events that cater to both the brave and the faint of heart. From haunted houses to ghostly train rides, find your thrills here.

Benton Harbor & St Joseph Trick or Treating: Bring your little ghosts and goblins to the Benton Harbor Arts District and/or downtown St. Joseph for a happy and safe trick-or-treating experience. Visit local merchants, collect candy, and enjoy their festive decorations.
Eden Springs Park offers a family-friendly haunted train ride. Ride the miniature train through this historic park, past abandoned buildings, flying ghosts, and characters with ghoulish grins. Eat your refreshment-stand snacks and drinks by a crackling campfire.

The Haunted Carousel at Silver Beach Carousel is a spooktacularly fun place to visit in October. The Carousel House comes alive with spooky music, eerie decor, and the appearance of the headless horseman. Wear your costumes to fully embrace the Halloween spirit.
Niles Scream Park is one of the top haunted attractions in the country! With over 44 acres of terrifying experiences, you will do just what its name says: “SCREAM.” A portion of admission fees supports local charities, making it a spooky and worthwhile visit.

Whether you’re looking for a spine-tingling adventure or a more light-hearted celebration, Southwest Michigan has Halloween events for everyone. For more details on these and other Halloween happenings, visit the events calendar or read our Fall Activities for Kids blog.

Plan Your Fall Trip

Southwest Michigan is a prime destination for fall activities, offering a blend of natural beauty, agricultural abundance, and festive events that celebrate the season. To fully enjoy the season, plan to stay over for one or more nights. Book a hotel now to get the dates, location, and amenities you want. This will give you more time to explore the local restaurants now serving seasonal favorites and create a bucket list of memories that will last a lifetime.

Top 10 Autumn Adventures in South Haven

September 3, 2024October 1, 2024 South Haven Blog

South Haven has everything you need to add color to your fall escape! With outstanding lodging options, a thriving downtown retail and food scene, and more outdoor recreation opportunities than many towns twice its size, South Haven is the perfect place to experience the harvest season in Southwest Michigan. Find inspiration for your fall itinerary with the list below, and sign up for our weekly newsletter for updates on the latest happenings and things to do!

1. Explore West Michigan Wine County

Take a tour of area wineries in style with Happy Trails Wine Tours & Limo Service, or chart your own fall excursions into West Michigan wine country with our handy maps of The West Michigan Pike and Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail. Whether you’re exploring Michigan’s oldest winery in Paw Paw or taking in the fall colors on the patio at Cogdal Vineyards, the area is ripe with opportunities to broaden one’s palate.

2. Wake Up to a Crisp Autumn Morning in the Great Outdoors

Whether you’re seeking cozy cabins nestled in a forest of fiery foliage or an unforgettable glamping weekend complete with spa day, South Haven has the perfect option for your next outdoor retreat. Refresh, unplug, and unwind in nature, explore camping options here!

3. Catch the latest thriller at The Michigan Theatre

Take in the latest flick at The Michigan Theatre in downtown South Haven! Enjoy first-run films with affordable tickets & concession prices at The Michigan Theatre.

Local Tip: Every Monday, all showings are just $4!

4. Explore the Bounty at South Haven Farm Market

Discover autumn’s abundance at the South Haven Farm Market! Located downtown at the Huron Street Pavilion, the freshest produce from local farms is available Saturdays through October 12. Other farm stands include Barden’s Farm Market and Phoenix Farm Market.

5. Go Dutch On Your Next Orchard Outing!

Discover where the world-renowned Red Haven Peach and all other Haven varieties of peaches were born and choose from a wide variety of mouth-watering apples at Dutch Farm Market and Orchard. The bakery and farm market are open 9am – 6pm daily, 7 days a week through October 31.

Local Tip: Apple season in Michigan is from mid-September through mid-October.

6. Have a Pumpkin Martini at Clementine’s

A community staple for over 40 years, Clementine’s is housed in a former bank and filled with nostalgic decor. Make your way to the hand-carved bar where you’ll find folks who stop in each fall for a taste of Clementine’s legendary pumpkin martini! A must try for lovers of all things pumpkin, and available for a limited time.

Local tip: Clementine’s is part of the South Haven Social District. Enjoy your pumpkin martini on a scenic downtown stroll or during events like the South Haven Jazz Fest and New Year’s Eve Celebration!

7. Conquer the Corn Maze at Bumbleberry Acres

Bumbleberry Acres is the perfect place to bring the family for fun on the farm. Not only do they have fresh fruits and vegetables, wagon rides, and a petting zoo, but the corn field transforms into an experience for all to enjoy in the fall. Test your navigation skills while twisting and turning your way out of the cornfield just a few short miles away from the shores of Lake Michigan.

8. Take on the South Haven Pure Michigan Trail Town Challenge

The South Haven Pure Michigan Trail Town Challenge invites adventurers to explore the scenic trails of South Haven, earning points by completing various outdoor activities along the way. Participants can enjoy hiking, biking, and paddling through picturesque landscapes while competing for prizes and the satisfaction of conquering the challenge!

Sign up today, you only have until October 31 to complete the challenge and claim your prize!

9. Trivia at Three Blondes Brewing

Thursday Night Trivia is back at Three Blondes Brewery, offering you the perfect chance to flex your brainpower for bragging rights and prizes! We recommend arriving early—it fills up quickly. Visit anytime for a great sit-down dining experience, or just to pick up a growler of your favorite brew to-go!

10. Take a fall cruise aboard The Lindy Lou

While Friends Good Will shines all summer long as its masts whip in the wind as it sets out for Lake Michigan from the docks of The Michigan Maritime Museum, the Lindy Lou snags the spotlight throughout October with fall color cruises along the Black River.

Bonus: Watch the Fall Sunset Simmer on Lake Michigan!

The day’s activities often take a backseat to the grand finale: sunset. Whether you’re perched along the bluffs or strolling the local beaches, this is the moment when the sky transforms into a stunning canvas of dark reds, bright purples, and everything in between. With over 10 public beaches to choose from, there’s no shortage of spots to witness this nightly spectacle. Make sure you carve out time to catch one of these mesmerizing light shows—it’s a South Haven experience you won’t want to miss.

Keeping the Harvest Tradition Alive in South Haven

August 8, 2023August 9, 2023 South Haven Blog

Hot cider, pumpkin patches, apple picking, and hayrides: these are the hallmarks of the Fall harvest! South Haven is one of the best areas to keep the harvest tradition alive, especially for young families looking to craft and capture memories that will a lifetime! Plus, we can always use more excuses to enjoy warm cider and donuts. So explore the brilliant fall colors of the South Haven countryside, do some picking of their own, or even get lost in a corn maze!

DeGrandchamp Farms
76241 14th Ave
269-637-3915

Start off the harvest season at this family farm that dates back to 1958. DeGrandchamp Farms Cranberry Harvest begins in mid-October. Once a year, the farm opens its fields and invites attendees to witness the beauty of harvesting cranberries in the natural bogs.

Catch a hayride to the bogs throughout the day to watch the crew rake in bright, red cranberries from the flooded bogs. Then, head to the sorting line to learn about how cranberries are sorted, packaged, and shipped. Cranberry products are available for purchase at the retail market, including jams, salsas, dried fruit, and baked goods. Fresh cranberries are available in October and November.

Overhiser Orchards
6405 109th Avenue
269-236-6312

Grab the family and head to Overhiser Orchards to pick your own pumpkins or apples and explore the farm and its many harvest activities. Available apples for u-pick include Empire, Cortland, Jonamac, Blondee, and Gala. Munch on some fresh donuts while you sip cider, pet the farm animals, or feed the birds with the farm’s sunflower seed harvest.

Take time to get lost in the corn maze or head over to the sunflower field for the farm’s new nature walk. Hayrides are available, weather permitting. You can even fish in the pond on-site, but save some room for the corn maze!

Bumbleberry Acres
6785 Baseline Rd.
269-637-4824

A true farm for the whole family, Bumbleberry Acres features u-pick, farm animals, a playground, wagon rides, and more. Halloween is always an especially fun time at Bumbleberry, so be sure to visit online for special events and activities!

Dutch Farm Market
6967 109th Ave.
269-637-8334

At the Dutch Farm Market just north of South Haven, apples (Red Delicious, Matsu, Cortland, Yellow Delicious, North Spy, Ida Red, and Rome) and Bosc pears are available for picking, and free wagon rides are available until the end of October. The market store has all the apples and pears, and everything from homemade jams, taffy apples, fresh-pressed cider, honey, and maple syrup, to home-baked pies, bread, turnovers, and donuts, to name just a few.

Can’t squeeze a trip to the farm into your schedule?

There’s good news! You don’t have to compromise on freshness. The South Haven’s Farm Market operates through September under the Huron Street Pavilion in downtown South Haven, and Barden’s Farm Market on the corner of Phoenix and Blue Star Highway is open daily! Drop in for baked goods, craft beer, and something sweet for all your friends and family!

Harvest Holland This Fall

August 4, 2023August 21, 2023 Holland Blog

What do watercolor windmills, running shoes, geodes, and muskets have in common? September in Holland!

Kick off the first month of fall at the Art on the Island Gala. Enjoy free admission to Windmill Island Gardens, vote for your favorite artistic rendition, and even purchase a piece you love to take home. Next up, the Holland Haven Marathon, Half Marathon, and 8k. Pick your distance and race along the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline. For precious stones, be sure to check out the 53^rd Tulip City Gem and Mineral Show, and to relive the Battle of Gettysburg, don’t miss the Van Raalte Farm Civil War Muster. Finish the month with a tour around the world at International Festival.

Fall Fest

Fall Fest comes to downtown Holland the first weekend in October. Experience the historic city center decked out with corn stalks and hay bales and buzzing with activities. Witness giant pumpkins getting carved, medium-sized pumpkins sculpted into captivating displays, and mini pumpkins painted by your kids at the farmers market. Then, marvel at street performers and a windmill-side artisan market. When the sun sets, procure a harvest-themed beverage and admire all the flickering jack-o’-lanterns.

(For more fall fun, why not do some leaf peeping as you explore vineyards, orchards, and breweries following the Handcrafted Passport?)

Day of the Dead

Whether you honor your ancestors, dress up to scare away ghouls, or just like gathering candy, Holland has an event for you on October 28^th.
From 10 til noon, littles dressed in ghost and Barbie costumes will converge on downtown Holland to Trick or Treat along 8^th Street. Then, it’s onto the Holland Armory for music, dance, and art in celebration of Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Finally, after the kiddos are down for naps, adults can head back downtown for Taps and Treats to sample Halloween sweets perfectly paired with a stout or IPA companion.

A Cornucopia of Musical Adventures

There’s a harvest of music in Holland this fall. The Park Theatre hosts the most with a packed line-up of tribute bands ranging from Elton Rohn to Fooz Fighters, performances by popular regional bands, and the annual ParktoberFest.

Classical music afficionados will flock to Hope College’s Great Performance Series with its Grammy-winning jazz, chamber ensembles, and harpist who mixes old with new tunes. Also amazing, Holland Symphony Orchestra’s autumn performances feature Brahms and a piano tribute to the planets, and the Holland Museum hosts a musical evening about Idlewild, Holland’s “Black Eden.”

Parading into the Next Season

Holland loves a parade and hosts SEVEN each year, three in the fall. The Labor Day Truck Parade features rumbling trucks, free ice cream, and giveaways. For more big rigs, the Fire Truck Parade kicks off Fire Safety Week with 50 fire trucks rolling down 8th Street. To wrap up November and usher in the holidays, the Parade of Lights has 75 floats plus (more) trucks, antique cars, walkers, and marching bands all decked out in thousands of sparking lights. What a way to escort Santa into downtown Holland!

Pick a season, any season, and there’s always something happening in Holland. Check out what’s on for today, tomorrow, and even next year at the Holland Area Convention & Visitors Bureau’s calendar of events.

Here are Southwest Michigan’s best destinations for fall colors, bird watching, paddling and surfing.

August 1, 2023August 4, 2023 St. Joseph Blog

Lake Michigan’s beaches are beautiful in autumn!

Discover the best fall beach destinations in Southwest Michigan

Summer isn’t the only time to visit Lake Michigan’s beaches in Southwest Michigan. Fall days and lake temperatures are often warm from September until early October. Then from October through November, pull on a sweater, fleece, or jacket and enjoy the wilder Big Lake waves and less-crowded beaches from golden sunrise to star-studded night. For many, fall is their favorite beach season. Come see why.

Fall in Warren Dunes - Southwest Michigan. Photo Credit : Joshua Nowicki — Fall in Warren Dunes – Southwest Michigan. Photo Credit: Joshua Nowicki

Visit nine Lake Michigan beach towns
If you’re planning an autumn getaway, solo retreat, or fall color tour along the lakeshore, add these Lake Michigan beach towns and their beaches to your itinerary.

Stevensville

Grand Mere State Park | 7337 Thornton Drive
Grand Mere boasts sweeping dunes, deep blowouts, a mile-long sandy beach, and hikes beneath canopies of colorful leaves.

Round Barn Winery in Fall | Photo Credit : Joshua Nowicki

St. Joseph

Lions Park Beach | Lions Park Drive
This tranquil beach is a good place to hunt for rocks and beach glass or immerse in the fall beauty on the John and Dede Howard Family Recreational Trail.

Silver Beach County Park | 101 Broad St.

This is one of Southwest Michigan’s most popular year-round beaches with its 2,450 feet of shoreline from the mouth of the St. Joseph River to Park Street. The park gives you access to the South Pier, and you can walk to the beach from downtown St. Joseph.

Tiscornia Beach Park | 80 Ridgeway St.

Great place to watch freighters, sailboats, and surfers in the fall. Best of all, you can park and walk out onto the North Pier to St. Joseph’s historic lighthouses.

Benton Harbor/Coloma

Jean Klock Park | Jean Klock Boulevard, Benton Harbor

This is one of the most beautiful, lesser-used beaches in Southwest Michigan. It is also a trailhead for a 10-mile natural and urban fitness hiking and biking adventure — the trees are autumn showpieces along the way.

Rocky Gap Park | 1100 Rocky Gap Road, Benton Harbor

You will love the panoramic views of Lake Michigan, especially at sunset. This is also a popular rockhounding site due to all the rocks that wash ashore.

Hagar Park | 5440 M-63, Coloma

Enjoy a picnic beneath red and yellow leaves, toss a Frisbee, or send a kite soaring on the beach. Dogs are welcome.

Roadside Park | 6930 Bluestar Highway, Coloma

Small, quiet, dog and kayak-friendly beach in the colorful forested dunes.

New Buffalo

New Buffalo Public Beach & Lakefront Park | 200 Marquette Drive
800 feet of sandy beach near the public boat launch and downtown.

Sawyer/Bridgman

Warren Dunes State Park | 12032 Red Arrow Highway, Sawyer
Three miles of beach frontage, including a separate dog-friendly beach. A top pick for its giant dunes and beautiful fall foliage.

Weko Beach | 5237 Lake St., Bridgman
Nestled among 42 acres of wooded dunes, it has 960 feet of sandy beach with some of the area’s favorite fall foliage and water vistas.

Seven favorite fall things to do at our beaches

There are so many ways to fill several fall days in Southwest Michigan. Here are locals’ and visitors’ top picks from high adventures to total relaxation.

Take a fall color tour

Follow the West Michigan Pike routes in this guide. Along the way, visit our pick-your-own and farm markets to gather just-harvested fruits and vegetables, plus bread, jams, desserts, and more for your fall beach picnic. This is also one of the best times of year to look for colorful rocks, beach glass, and fossils along the water’s edge.

Explore the colors of Fall in Southwest Michigan. Photo Credit : Joshua Nowicki — Explore the colors of Fall in Southwest Michigan. Photo Credit: Joshua Nowicki

Paddle along the shoreline

Most beaches offer easy access to take your canoe, kayak, or SUP from the parking lot to the shoreline. Several also have launch areas on scenic rivers that empty into the big lake. Shoreline paddles give you gorgeous views of fall foliage along the bluffs and across the dunes.

Watch for migratory birds on their Lake Michigan flight path

The migration flight path along Lake Michigan’s shoreline is almost as ancient as the dunes. Fall is a peak time for birdwatching, seeing everything from songbirds and shorebirds to raptors.

Be captivated by Great Lakes freighters and barges

It’s hard not to be drawn to the St. Joseph River and harbor when the big freighters and barges arrive or depart from St. Joseph. Watching these big ships navigate past the railroad swing bridge is especially enthralling. We hope you will also see the big ships at night easing through the channel by spotlight or their lights reflecting in the still harbor waters — it will take your breath away. Fall is the last season to be awed before the gales of November stop the shipping traffic on Lake Michigan until the next spring.

Reel in the big ones from our piers, rivers, and the Big Lake

Pier fishing for feisty salmon, trout, and steelhead is a thrill in Southwest Michigan. You can easily access some of our favorite fishing spots from New Buffalo Public Beach, Silver Beach County Park, Tiscornia Beach, and South Haven’s South Beach.

Go surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving

Many people are surprised to learn that you can surf, snorkel and scuba dive off the coast of Lake Michigan. Calmer days on the Big Lake are best for the latter two watersports, but frequent north and south winds make for surfable waves in the fall. You can often spot surfers from the shore at Lions Park, Silver Beach County Park, and Tiscornia Beach — or go out and ride the waves on your board!

See the best sunsets

It’s a daily ritual to head to any of our beaches to watch the sun sink below Lake Michigan’s horizon in a swath of peach, yellow, lavender, and scarlet colors brightening the evening sky. Even on overcast evenings, you will still find colors and a peaceful ending to your day on our shore.

Fall Sunset Southwest Michigan in Dune Grass | St. Joseph MI Photo Credit: Joshua Nowicki

Stay over at near-the-beach lodgings

Lodgings in Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, and Stevensville are just minutes from our beaches, resort town shopping, dining, fall festivals, and attractions. It’s a great time of year to get the hotel rate and amenities you want, especially on weekdays.

Book your fall getaway

Fall in Muskegon County, Michigan: A Season of Splendor and Beauty

July 26, 2023July 26, 2023 Muskegon Blog

Make the Most of your Autumn Experience

Visit Muskegon County, where you will find beautiful beaches, dunes, parks, trails – and forests filled with fall foliage. Muskegon County is not only a nature lover’s paradise. There are also exciting fall events, outdoor sports opportunities and unique outdoor activities. There’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Stunning Natural Scenery

Firstly, let’s talk about the natural beauty. With plenty of hardwood trees like maple, oak, birch, and aspen, Muskegon County’s forests are a show of vibrant colors. The fiery reds and oranges to warm yellows and golds are set against the brilliant blues of Lake Michigan and 23 inland lakes. This display draws visitors from far and wide to wander the trails and drive the scenic routes. With three state parks, seven county parks and many public parks – there’s no shortage of space to roam.

For the Adventurous

Head to the Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park for a unique and exhilarating autumn experience. Feel the thrill of zooming over a canopy of fall colors on a dual zipline. Climb a 38 ft. outdoor climbing wall or take a scenic hike through the park’s picturesque trails.

Take a Tour

For a more laid-back experience, check out the Depot to Depot self-guided fall tour. This month-long event invites you to soak up the autumn scenery. Pick up or download a map from Visit Muskegon. Then, enjoy special offers along the way as you explore local cuisine attractions, and shop for unique treasures.

Fall is for Family Fun

The little ones love it here too! Find fall-fun ranging from orchards and mazes to Trick or Treating at a historic lighthouse. New in 2023 is Michigan’s Adventure’s Tricks and Treats Fall Fest. Families will be able to enjoy select rides (including attractions at Camp “Spooky”), decorations, activities, entertainment and costume contests.

Make Your Plan

Experience the beauty and excitement of a Midwest autumn in Muskegon County. It’s all right here; from natural beauty to exciting seasonal events and fun outdoor adventures. So why not book your trip today and start exploring all that this hidden gem has to offer?