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Fall Color Tour Returns with New Interactive Guide
GRAND RAPIDS, MI. (Oct. 2, 2026) — Autumn is officially underway, and the Kent County Road Commission (KCRC) and Kent County Parks Department are inviting residents and visitors to slow down, take the long way home, and experience the changing colors of the season with the 2026 Fall Color Tour.
“Another busy construction season is winding down, and we appreciate the patience everyone has shown as crews have worked to improve roads and bridges across the county network,” said Jerry Byrne, Managing Director of the KCRC. “The Fall Color Tour is a great opportunity to get out, enjoy some of those roads and see the parks, bridges and natural areas that make Kent County unique.”
The tour features 18 suggested routes organized into four regions — northern, southern, eastern and western Kent County — covering more than 350 miles of roads and highlighting scenic spots worth exploring along the way. New this year, motorists can use an interactive Fall Color Tour Guide synced with Google Maps to follow along or download and print a PDF version for the trip. As a new pilot tool, the interactive guide will continue to be evaluated and refined as motorists begin using it and provide feedback.
“We know everyone has their own way of getting where they’re going, whether that means plugging in their phone, printing off directions, or just knowing the roads by heart,” said Kent County Parks Department Director Ben Swayze. “The interactive guide gives people another easy tool for planning their trip, so they can spend less time figuring out where to go and more time enjoying the trip. Fall goes by quickly, and this is a great time to get outside and experience it.”
And there’s plenty to see along the way. The tour highlights some of the area’s notable bridges, including the historic Fallasburg Covered Bridge and Ada Covered Bridge in the Eastern Region, as well as Whites Bridge, located just across the Kent County border in Ionia County. In the Northern Region, motorists can see the Pine Island Drive Bridge, built in 1924 and recognized as a state historic landmark. With its distinctive overhead concrete bracing, the Camelback-style bridge is the only one of its kind in Michigan.
“While the Fall Color Tour is about enjoying the scenery, we want everyone to remember that safety comes first,” said Byrne. “The routes were designed to avoid known closures, but motorists should still watch for work zones, changing conditions, and slow-moving farm equipment, especially on rural routes. If you’re traveling with a friend or family member, let them follow the route and watch for scenic stops while you focus on driving. If you’re traveling alone, find a safe place to pull over before checking the map, taking photos or stopping to enjoy the view.”
Since the timing and intensity of fall color can vary from year to year and across the state, be sure to check out the Pure Michigan Fall Color Map for when colors are expected to peak in Kent County, and consider submitting photos through this online form.
For more information about the 2026 Fall Color Tour or to download printable maps, please visit the Kent County Parks Department website.
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