Family-Friendly Places to See Fall Colors in Grand Rapids
It’s time! Fall colors are having their moment around Grand Rapids and we all know they won’t last long.
Get the fam and head out for a walk beneath a colorful canopy of leaves while fall colors are still putting on a show.
From wooded trails to pretty riverside parks, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite local spots to see the changing leaves.
Pick one nearby, grab your camera for photos, bundle up if you need to, and and enjoy a little fall color in Grand Rapids.
fall colors in grand rapids
Fallasburg Park
1124 Fallasburg Park Dr NE, Lowell, MI 49331
Is Fallasburg Park the prettiest park in Grand Rapids? How about you check it out and decide for yourself.
There’s covered bridges and hiking trails, playgrounds and a schoolhouse. We can’t get over all the ways to enjoy this season on this 250 acre gem!
Grand Ravines Park
9920 42nd Ave, Georgetown Township, MI 49428
Grand Ravines, how we love thee.
From suspension bridges and hiking trails, to tree houses and a dog park, this park in Ottawa County is gorgeous in the fall.
Calvin Ecosystem Preserve and Native Gardens
1750 E Beltline Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Calvin’s Eco Preserve is a great choice for an easy walk through a beautiful fall forest.
Walk along the trail, over small bridges and boardwalks, or stop to rest on a bench by the ponds along the path.
The trail is made with wood chips, and has some boardwalk areas, making it accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.
Fun Fact: They just added a new Sanctuary Trail that loops through a beautiful meadow area.
Provin Trails Park
2900 4 Mile Rd NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Did you know you can get sweeping dune views in Grand Rapids? We didn’t either – until we discovered Provin Trails Park.
The first time we hiked here, we couldn’t believe our eyes.
Fall is one of the best times to visit Provin Trails Park because it’s just down the road from Robinette’s Apple Haus! Grab some of Grand Rapids best donuts and cider after your hike.
Crahen Valley Park
4355 Leonard St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Crahen Valley Park is not far from the Beltline, but most people drive by without knowing it’s there.
Hidden in a valley, it’s got forests, trails, streams, meadows, and all the fall colors your heart desires.
Grand River Riverfront Park
12570 Grand River Dr SE, Lowell, MI 49331
Grand River Riverfront Park has one of the coolest pedestrian bridges in Grand Rapids.
It’s a great place to take the kids to burn some energy while getting great views of fall colors along the riverfront.
The Dragon Trail
Hardy Dam Access: 6619 E 36th St, White Cloud, MI 49349
Newaygo State Park: 2793 S Beech Ave, Newaygo, MI 49337
The Dragon Trail is 45 miles long, but you don’t have to hike the whole thing to relish in gorgeous fall colors.
Choose a small section to walk near Hardy Dam Pond or Newaygo State Park and enjoy picturesque overlooks, mature trees, water views, and fall foliage.
The Dragon Trail might be more familiar to the mountain biking community, but it’s incredible for hiking too, just watch out for bikes since they share the same trail.
Rosy Mound Natural Area
13925 Lakeshore Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417
The trail at Rosy Mound Natural Area takes you through pine forests, up and down stairways, along boardwalks, and all the way to the shores of Lake Michigan.
The fall views from the top of the stairway will make you want to come back to hike this trail in every season.
Mt. Pisgah
2238 3rd Ave, Holland, MI 49424
Mt. Pisgah is a hiking trail in Holland that leads you up to some spectactular fall views you can’t get anywhere else.
There are hundreds of stairs to climb (239 to be exact). But don’t worry, you can rest on the benches on your way up to soak in the colors of fall from the top of the scenic overlook.
Fall Color Drives
Looking for more of an adventure? Hit the road to see more fall colors.
We’ve curated Fall Color Driving Routes + location recommendations throughout West Michigan.
A Little Fall Color Goes a Long Way!
Fall color season goes by fast, so take advantage of a pretty day when you get one. Whether you have time for a quick walk close to home or want to explore a new-to-you park, there’s so much beauty to enjoy around Grand Rapids.
