Take A Hike: 6 Places To Experience The Brilliant Fall Colors

The fall colors are set to peak here in Southwest Michigan soon (source: eyeballs). Couple that with warm weather forecasted for the weekend and you've got zero good excuses to not take the kids out for a nature walk.

And if they're anything like ours, they've been eating candy non-stop for the last week and have energy reserves the size of Lake Michigan that need to be dealt with swiftly and preferably out of doors.

Here are half a dozen scenic spots worth exploring:

1. Sarett Nature Center | Benton Harbor

Highlights: 8 miles of hiking trails, a treetop walkway, playground and picnic area, live native animal exhibits

2. Fernwood Botanical Garden | Niles

Highlights: 12 hiking trails, geocaching, cafe, art gallery and activity backpacks

3. Warren Woods State Park | Three Oaks

Highlights: 3.5 miles of hiking trails, home to the state's final climax beech-maple forest, uncrowded

4. Saugatuck Dunes State Park | Saugatuck

Highlights: 13 miles of hiking trails, 2.5 miles of shoreline, 200-foot sand dunes, picnic area

5. Kalamazoo Nature Center | Kalamazoo

Highlights: 13 hiking trails, Nature's Playground, interactive exhibits, animal encounters

6. Kal-Haven Trail | South Haven

Highlights: 14 miles of trail, a covered bridge, camelback bridge, scenic rest spots

For more nature preserves and parks, check out our Outdoor Fun section. Did we miss your favorite? Let us know in the comments.

Originally posted 10/2017.