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#6 on this list
Upper Peninsula
Michigan
Porcupine Mountains and Pictured Rocks in full color.
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#7 on this list
Berkshires
Massachusetts
Classic New England foliage with small towns and farm stands.
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Upper Peninsula | Berkshires |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Gateways | Marquette, Munising, Houghton, St. Ignace | — |
| Peak Foliage | Early to mid-October | October 5 to October 20 |
| Key Waterbody | Lake Superior | — |
| Trail Systems | North Country Trail, Porcupine Mountains network | — |
| Access Passes | Michigan Recreation Passport, NPS Park Pass | — |
| Primary Hazards | Sudden coastal gales, hypothermia, remote routes | — |
| Primary Range | — | Taconic Mountains and Hoosac Plateau |
| Highest Elevation | — | Mount Greylock (3,491 feet) |
| Land Agency | — | Massachusetts DCR |
| Primary Trail | — | Appalachian Trail (90 miles in MA) |
| Hazards | — | Slick leaf litter, early summit ice, black bears |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Upper Peninsula
- World-class hardwood fall foliage contrasting against massive freshwater seascapes
- Summer humidity, mosquitoes, and biting blackflies are completely gone
- Backcountry trails and iconic overlooks see a fraction of summer visitor traffic
- Vast tracts of interconnected national forest, state land, and wilderness areas
- Superior weather shifts violently, bringing gales, freezing rain, and early blizzards
- Many state park facilities, water systems, and local services shutter by mid-month
- Widespread cell phone dead zones require self-sufficient navigation and communication
Berkshires
- World-class hardwood foliage density and ridgeline color
- Continuous, well-maintained Appalachian Trail ridge infrastructure
- Comfortable daytime hiking temperatures with low insect activity
- High density of working farm stands and small supply hubs
- Extreme weekend vehicular traffic along primary north-south arteries
- Wet fallen leaves make steep descents exceptionally slippery
- Lodging rates spike sharply and book out months in advance
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