USA Today ranks Upper Peninsula 2nd best destination in U.S. for fall foliage

[Photo: Brockway Mountain, Copper Harbor]

COPPER HARBOR, Mich. — USA Today recently ranked the Upper Peninsula the second-best destination in the country to see fall foliage. Northern Michigan and the U.P.'s natural beauty fuels a large and active tourism industry to the 1st District, and the health of our environment is essential to sustaining our quality of life.

Preservation and conservation of air, land, and water help Northern Michiganders thrive in an area where people love to live and work. Federal ecological and environmental protection of the 1st District must not be weakened through federal disinvestment.

Dr. Bob Lorinser is an advocate for environmental initiatives and federal funding to help preserve Northern Michigan's natural beauty.

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From USA Today:

Just about the entire Upper Peninsula puts on a display of fall color that peaks during the last two weeks of September and the first week of October. A favorite fall experience for leaf peepers is the drive along M-26 along the shores of Lake Roland and past the trees of Copper Country State Forest.

The top 10 winners in the category Best Destinations for Fall Foliage are as follows:

1. White Mountains - New Hampshire

2. Upper Peninsula - Michigan

3. Pocono Mountains - Pennsylvania

4. Gatlinburg - Tennessee

5. Ozark Mountain Region - Arkansas

6. Taos - New Mexico

7. Door County - Wisconsin

8. Laurel Highlands - Pennsylvania

9. Stowe - Vermont

10. Finger Lakes - New York

A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.