Current Conditions

Weather | Fires and Emergencies | Fall Color | Trail Conditions

Ongoing Fires and Emergencies

The Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area Trails are CLOSED until further notice - Closure Map

Weather

Current weather conditions from the National Weather Service are updated continually.

Weather information is derived from National Weather Service data. Please see our weather disclaimer.

Below is a list of zip codes within and near the HMNF for easier weather lookup:

Fall Color

Each year the leaves begin to change color, painting the forest in reds, golds, and yellows. Check out our Fall Color page for what the current Fall Color is.

Fall is a fantastic time of year to get out and enjoy the Huron-Manistee National Forests. Located in the northern portion of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, the Huron-Manistee National Forests offer some of the most spectacular fall colors available in the nation. From the golden aspen to the brightly colored northern hardwoods all interlaced with the evergreens, autumn is the time to see the Huron-Manistee National Forests. Many scenic drives and vistas are available for people to enjoy and with many of nature's creatures becoming more active, one has the added bonus of unique wildlife viewing opportunities.

Every year decidious trees change their color, highlighting the forest in reds, golds and yellows. As you drive or hike within the forest pause to look at the glorious colors that nature has provided.

There are three factors that influence leaf color during fall- the pigments in the leaf, the length of the nights, and weather. Although all three play a role in the color a leaf turns, it is actually the length of night that has the greatest influence on the color and brightness of color of leaves.

Certain colors are often found in certain trees:

Weathers role in what color a trees leaves turn is often determined long before fall even starts, and on into fall. The temperature and amount of moisture an area receives will determine how bright colors are. During fall if the weather is warmer, sunnier during the day with cooler, but not freezing nights, color seems to be its brightest. The amount of moisture in soil will also affect color. Because weather and soil moisture can differ drastically year by year, each fall's colors, even in the same tree, can be wildly different.

While there are unlimited opportunities for enjoying fall color, there are several areas that are some of our favorites. Take some time to relax and enjoy your National Forests. The fall color hotline can be called at 1-800-354-4595 to hear which national forests are at their peak. The recorded messages will be updated each week. There is also a web site available at http://www.fs.fed.us/news/fall.shtml.   You can also call the Huron-Manistee National Forests direct at 1-800-821-6263 for more information or to obtain a map of the color tours within the Forests.

Information on Fall Foliage (.doc)

Fall Color Tours

Huron National Forest

Visit the River Road Scenic Byway to view the Fall Colors on the Huron National Forest.

Manistee National Forest

Color tour routes are marked with an arrow and the colorful Cadillac symbol. A map of the fall color tour routes is available at the Cadillac Visitor Bureau's website.

Color Tour No. 1 (Approximately 20 miles)

Drive on US-131 on the corner of S. Mitchell Street (US-131) and M-55.  Turn west on M-55 and follow the lake shore drive around both Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell.  On this tour you will see the beautifully balanced panorama of woods and water.

Color Tour No. 2 (approximately 63 miles)

Begin by going west on M-55 to 25 Road.  Take 25 Road north to Boon Road.  Turn west on Boon Road and drive through Boon and Harrietta to M-37.  The Tour continues north on M-37 to M-115 in Mesick.  For a colorful picture-postcard view of the Manistee River, turn northwest on M-115 to 9 Road.  Turn North to 14 Road and then east on 14 Road to 11 Mile Road.   Proceed south on 11 Mile Road.  Turn east on M-42 then south to past Briar Hill Ski Jump and then back to Cadillac via a very colorful route through Meauwataka.

Color Tour No. 3 (Approximately 64 miles)

Drive south on US-131 to Bristol Road or the Tustin Exit.  Turn right (west) on Bristol Road to State Road, north of Luther.  Take State Road north across the Pine River to 48 Road at Hoxeyville.  Turn left on 48 Road to 7-1/2 Road, north to M-55.  Turn right on M-55 to Caberfae Road, then left and drive north to Boon Road at Harrietta.  Allow time for a camera stop at the scenic overlook site.  Turn right on Boon Road, and then back to Cadillac.

Color Tour No. 4 (Approximately 37 miles)

Begin in downtown Cadillac and proceed north on US-131 to Boon Road.  Proceed east on Boon Road to Jennings Road. Turn north on Jennings Roads to Burns Road and then left on Burns Road to 47 Road.   North on 47 Road to M-42.  West on M-42 to US-131.  North on US-131 through Manton to 43 Road.  North on 43 Road to No. 12 Road.  East on No. 12 Road to Brown Road.  South on Brown Road to M-42.  Go east on M-42 to M-66 and then south on M-66 through Lake City to M-55 West back to Cadillac.

Trail Conditions

No trails are currently closed.