Michigan's Tunnel of Trees, M-119 between Harbor Springs and Cross Village, is a favorite fall color drive, but you'll have to plan for a few detours if you want to make the drive this year.
Some sections are still closed for repairs where spring and summer runoff washed out sections of the state highway. Work has wrapped up on one section and the state highway is open between West Stutsmanville and Terpening roads, the Michigan Department of Transportation said in a Sept. 3 news release.
M-119 will remain closed near Division Road until summer 2027 — and indefinitely at Devil's Elbow, with traffic detoured on West Stutsmanville Road, Townline Road, Church Road and Robinson Road, MDOT said in the release.
"This is one of the most scenic stretches
of highway in America. Snaking its way along the Lake Michigan shoreline, the Tunnel of Trees offers unparalleled coast views," the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau says.
While some parts of the Upper Peninsula are already nearing high color, northwest Michigan, so far, is reporting low color.
The closures stem from washouts and a culvert failure related to heavy rainfall, snow melt and flash flooding in the spring and summer.
Here's what to know about the Tunnel of Trees.
Has the Tunnel of Trees reopened?
M-119 between West Stutsmanville and Terpening roads has reopened after construction repairs, MDOT said in the release.
As part of a $300,000 project to stabilize the slope beneath M-119 near West Stutsmanville Road that was damaged in flooding in the spring, workers installed a new retaining wall to stabilize a slope failure and a new guardrail on two damaged sections of the highway, the MODT release said.
Where is the Tunnel of Trees still closed?
M-119 is still closed to through traffic, but open to local traffic in two area, MDOT said.
The highway is closed near Division Road until summer 2027 because of a culvert failure and washout in April, MDOT said. Traffic is detoured on Island View Road and North State Road.
M-119 is also closed at Devil's Elbow, with traffic detoured on West Stutsmanville Road, Townline Road, Church Road and Robinson Road, MDOT said. The closure is due to washouts in late June and there's currently no firm timeline for repairs or reopening, the department says.
Why did part of the Tunnel of Trees close?
Part of the Tunnel of Trees closed in the spring after M-119 between Good Hart and Cross Village collapsed in April due to excessive rainfall and snow melt.
M-119 closed between Stutsmanville and Terpening roads and Division and Island View roads in April, the Emmet County Road Commission said.
Additionally, flash floods prompted washouts in other areas of M-119 in late June, with MDOT reporting road closures at the time just south of Middle Village Road, at Devil's Elbow, north of South Lamkin Road and at Horseshoe Bend, along with water damage at Middle Village Road.
Where is the Tunnel of Trees?
The Tunnel of Trees is a 20-mile scenic drive route leading to Cross Village from Harbor Springs along Lake Michigan on M-119.
Taking the Tunnel of Trees this fall? 5 places to stop
Here are five places worth checking out during your Tunnel of Trees fall color drive this season:
- Tom's Mom's Cookies in Harbor Springs. Before heading out of town, stop at the downtown cookie shop, where you can grab your favorite cookies at the window, with flavors ranging from classic chocolate chunk to cinnamon-sugar and beyond.
- Good Hart General Store in Good Hart. The 1930s-style general store along M-119 sells a variety of apparel, books, food and beverage products, gifts and souvenirs and provides a spot to stop along the route.
- Legs Inn in Cross Village. End your journey with an authentic Polish meal at family-owned Legs Inn, a Michigan historical site whose wood-and-stone design reflects the original owner's woodworking and local Indigenous craftmanship. The restaurant gets its name from stove legs lining the roof.
- Trillium Woods Coffee in Harbor Springs. Near M-119, Trillium Woods boasts a coffee shop open on weekends, along with a one-bedroom cabin stay retreat.
- Good Hart Artist Residency in Good Hart off M-119, this artist residency hosts visual artists, writers and composers from around the world for a 10-21 day residency stay and hosts events open to the public.
The Lansing State Journal and Detroit Free Press reporter Jalen Williams contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan's Tunnel of Trees is a fall favorite. Is it still detoured?
