Beat the Fall Color Crowd and Visit Alger County This Week

With summer now officially over and fall colors beginning to appear throughout Alger County, tourism has slowed down some which typically happens between Labor Day Weekend and the peak of the autumn season.

Fall colors seen in the Duck Pond Eatery & Beer Garden on Oct. 2, 2022.

This is the perfect time to visit for those yearning to beat the crowds. Minimal wait times at restaurants. Open seating at breweries. The chance of having a scenic viewing platform to yourself. Peaceful as can be. 

However, many of the local seasonal businesses close by the end of September, mainly kayak and boat tours and fishing charters. Though, Pictured Rocks Cruises in Munising operates daily - unless Lake Superior is too feisty – until Oct. 23. 

The boat tour company has been around for over 50 years, showing passengers the sandstone cliffs and formations of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore like Miners Castle, Lovers Leap, Grand Portal Point and more. Tours depart in front of the Cruises’ office and gift shop near the city dock in downtown Munising.

Grand Island Ferry Service, which brings people across Munising Bay on a five-minute boat ride to the rustic island, runs until Oct. 10. Known for its beautiful, rugged scenery, Grand Island offers over 40 miles of trails and gravel roads. From the ferry service’s website: “Hiking along the perimeter trails will offer spectacular views and white sand beaches and is a great idea for day trippers and backpackers alike.” 

Another option for area visitors this time of year is to explore the 14 nearby waterfalls. From thunderous flows cascading into gorges to roadside falls trickling from creeks, the sights are all unique and worth the venture. 

Munising, Horseshoe, Wagner and Alger are all easy falls to get to and are located right in Munising. If you’re looking for more of a hike, the Chapel Basin area off H-58 has 3-to-10-mile trails where two waterfalls – Chapel and Mosquito – can be found. Sable Falls, a visitor favorite, is located a few miles west of Grand Marais off H-58, as well. If you make it there, be sure to check out the log slide where loggers rolled timber down a 300-foot chute into the water. It’s a short walk with interpretive displays along the path with information on logging history and how the dunes were geologically formed.