Taking a Tunnel of Trees Fall Color Drive

Highway M-119 is best known as the Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route. This winding narrow road is one of Northern Michigan’s most beloved fall color drives.

Planning a Fall Color Drive on the Tunnel of Trees?

Tunnel of Trees winds along the Lake Michigan shoreline between Harbor Springs and Cross Village. This narrow road can be absolutely stunning in autumn.

You’ve probably read lots of articles promoting the Tunnel of Trees as the drive everyone must make in the fall.

And that’s exactly why it has become extremely crowded on weekends.

The Tunnel of Trees is being over-promoted and the road is at a point where it can hardly handle the volume of traffic.

Tips from #LifeinGoodHart

I live on the Tunnel of Trees in Good Hart. I’ve watched the traffic grow more each year. 2024 was the busiest year yet with bumper-to-bumper traffic every weekend in fall.

Don’t get me wrong – I love the Tunnel of Trees!

I just want you to understand the reality of driving the famous Tunnel of Trees during peak color season. It’s more enjoyable if everyone makes safer, smarter travel choices.

Before you leave on your Tunnel of Trees fall color tour, here are things to know before you go.

Heavy Weekend Traffic Means Very Slow Speeds!

In recent years, weekend traffic on M-119 has become bumper-to-bumper for miles. This scenic highway is narrow and winding, with no shoulders, few places to pass, and very few places to safely pull over. When traffic backs up, it moves slowly.

Be aware that you will be riding your brake more than the gas. Traffic travels well below the posted speed limit.

And, many drivers become frustrated with the pace.

Unfortunately, unsafe behavior can follow. Some people stop in the middle of the road to take photos, while others try risky maneuvers to get around them. This creates dangerous situations for drivers, cyclists, motorcycles, and people who wander out into the road.

👉 Tip: If you visit on a weekend, be prepared for a slow, stop-and-go pace. Allow extra time, keep a safe following distance, and enjoy the scenery rather than rushing.

Weekdays Are a Great Choice!

If your schedule allows you to take some weekdays off, plan your Tunnel of Trees drive for the middle of the week.

Traffic is much lighter Monday through Thursday so you’ll enjoy a more relaxed drive. You’ll have more opportunities to slow down for beautiful overlooks and stop at shops. You won’t feel like you’re holding up a long line of cars behind you.

👉 Local Tip: Morning drives tend to be the quietest, especially before 10 a.m.

Peak Color Arrives Later on the Lakeshore

Inland forests in Northern Michigan usually start to peak in early October.

However, the Lake Michigan shoreline warms the air, which delays peak color along M-119.

The Tunnel of Trees typically shows its best color a bit later, thanks to the lake effect. We’ve had a few years where peak color was the last weekend in October.

👉 Travel Tip: Check for local fall color reports before your trip. Every year is different so we can’t predict the exact date for peak color.

Photography Tips: Park Safely

I will admit that the scenery is pretty amazing, which makes it irresistible for photos!

But stopping in the middle of the road is unsafe for everyone.

Cross Village, Good Hart, and Harbor Springs offer great spots to safely stop to photograph the views.

👉 Never park on the narrow roadway itself. You will block traffic with no way to pass. Stopping in the road can cause accidents on the many blind curves.