I live in Good Hart on the beautiful Tunnel of Trees in northwest Michigan. M-119 is a historic route along Lake Michigan that offers amazing views, and is a popular destination for fall colors.
Every fall, cars line up along the Tunnel of Trees to take in the beautiful vistas, lake views, dramatic fall colors, and to also visit our cute little villages along the way.
The Tunnel of Trees follows the lakeshore between Harbor Springs and Cross Village. The 20-mile drive is a skinny, winding road under beautiful canopies with soaring views of Lake Michigan.
Start Your Journey from Cross Village
I’m going let you in on a little secret… My favorite journey on the Tunnel of Trees starts in Cross Village. Drive north on State Road and then head south on the Tunnel of Trees.
When you’re driving south along M-119 to Harbor Springs, the vistas are much more breathtaking. The light is streaming through the trees in front of you and the views are much more dramatic, I promise!
Cross Village sits high on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan and is steeped in history. There’s a big white cross on the bluff with roots back in the seventeenth century and Jesuit missionary Jacques Marquette.
- Client Shout-Out: Visit Three Pines Studio & Gallery where you will find creative works by northern Michigan artists and lots of beautiful glass pumpkins. The Great Lakes Pumpkin Patch Day is Saturday, October 1st from 11AM to 5PM. The gallery features wood-blocked linens by owner Joann Condino, jewelry, woodworked art, and beautiful original paintings.
- Legs Inn: This restaurant in Cross Village is a popular destination for the fun stone architecture and the authentic Polish cuisine. The view from their garden is not to be missed.
- Petoskey Brewing: Opening soon in Cross Village!
There’s also a pretty park below the bluff for gorgeous Lake Michigan views or stretch your legs with a walk on the beach.
Pond Hill Farm for Family-Friendly Fun
One of my favorite places is Pond Hill Farm just north of Harbor Springs. This family-owned farm is one of the most popular attractions along the Tunnel of Trees and is a fun stop for kids!
Explore the farm, pet the animals, and enjoy a fabulous lunch in the cafe. I recommend the Parmesan-Crusted Grilled Cheese – it is so good!
There’s beer and wine tasting for adults, and the on-site market has lots of locally made goodies as well as farm-fresh vegetables.
Slow Colors, Slow Speeds
As you start planning your drive along the Tunnel of Trees, just know that colors along the lakeshore are slower to change. The lakeshore takes a little longer to reach peak colors.
The Tunnel of Trees is a very narrow winding road and it’s busy from now until the end of October. Cars literally line up from Harbor Springs to begin the journey. Patience is key.
That’s why I recommend taking State Road north to Cross Village and then driving south to Harbor Springs. Traffic is much lighter heading that direction and the views are much more dramatic.
M-119 is a busy road during color season and there is no room to pass. Please slow down, be patient, and enjoy the views.
Get Updates on the Color Changes!
I will be posting progress reports on Facebook and Instagram of the color changes along the Tunnel of Trees.
If you follow me on either social media channel, you can get a real-time view of the fall colors.
