Northern Michigan’s Tunnel of Trees on M-119 is one of the state’s most iconic attractions. The scenic road winds from Harbor Springs, north of Petoskey, to Cross Village and takes about an hour without stops (seasonal traffic dependent). However, we highly recommend visiting a few shops and restaurants along the way—they’re all a part of the charm.
Ranked among the most scenic roads in the nation, the Tunnel of Trees is especially breathtaking in spring when wildflowers carpet the forest floor creating a Tunnel of Trillium and during fall color tours on M-119 with hardwoods aflame in brilliant reds, oranges and yellows.
M-119 begins at the north end of Petoskey, but it doesn’t officially become The Tunnel of Trees until north of Harbor Springs. From there, the state highway becomes very narrow, running 20 miles along a spectacular bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. Watch for especially sharp twists at Devil’s Elbow (said to be haunted by an evil spirit after dark) and Horseshoe Curve. Along the way, you’ll find fun shops, must-try local restaurants, spectacular scenery and fascinating historical pit stops.
Sit back and enjoy the drive.
Want to drive the Tunnel of Trees in fall? Check the Fall Color Map for the best days to go.
What is M-119’s Tunnel of Trees?
The Tunnel of Trees is named for the hardwoods and evergreens that knit into a ceiling over motorists and bicyclists. The route offers forest views, and openings in the trees surprise travelers with incredible vistas. I have traveled this route for years, hundreds of times, in every season. With each trip, something new catches my interest—maybe a spectacular view of the lake, or snow cloaking the dark green hemlocks in winter, or a classic log cabin that reminds me of childhood vacations. In spring, the number of trilliums on the forest floor is beyond estimate. In autumn, sunlight filters through the trees, electrifying the fall leaf colors.
If you can, make the trip on a weekday when you have plenty of time to enjoy the scenery—and the patience to be courteous to cyclists and slower drivers. Consider the area’s history—the original Native Americans and their traditions, as well as the early European settlers. The old church at Middle Village, on the shoreline below Good Hart, dates from the 1880s and is near a Jesuit mission from the 1700s. What did the forests look like then, before logging? Where did the Civil War veterans who got land grants to farm this area come from, and what did they find when they arrived? Tourism is the main industry now, but that has changed, too. Generations ago, summer people from Chicago or St. Louis would arrive to spend the entire summer. Modern travelers zoom north on a freeway for a short weekend getaway.
And freeway is precisely what the Tunnel of Trees is an antidote for. The feel is slow, soft, curvy and intimate, a two-lane keepsake, a byway from a long-gone era, a road that is itself a destination.
Drive the Tunnel of Trees
Petoskey
About two miles north of downtown Petoskey, on US-31, turn left onto M-119 toward Harbor Springs. After a mile, there is a small mall on the right. The first store is Crooked Tree Breadworks where you must purchase a few pepper Parmesan rolls and some granola to share. Toski Sands Market and Wine Shop is justifiably famous for its smoked whitefish spread as well as homemade beef and turkey jerky.
Harbor Springs
Fabulous to-go sandwiches and other goodies are found at the southern end of the Tunnel of Trees in downtown Harbor Springs. Stop at Gurney’s Harbor Bottle Shop, where the Train Wreck sandwich is highly recommended, or Turkey’s Cafe and Pizzeria. After getting back on M-119 and continuing north from Harbor Springs, watch about four miles ahead on the right for Pond Hill Farm. This family-owned operation has a market with fresh produce and homemade preserves like hot garlic pepper jelly. Pond Hill’s Garden Cafe makes a wonderful lunch stop (the pizza here is sublime). There are gnome trails, a playground, farm animals and much more for kids—an excellent place to stretch your legs.
About six miles beyond Pond Hill Farm is Trillium Woods Coffee, on the right, known for everything from craft coffees to lemon lavender cake pops. A mile or so to the east, on Townline Road, is Good Hart Glassworks.
Note: Heading north on M-119, the road narrows with trees growing up both sides. Remember, this narrower-than-normal two-lane road lacks, for the most part, shoulders or a center line.
Good Hart
Back on M-119 in Good Hart, the red building on the left is the Good Hart General Store, a popular stop for touring bicyclists as well as motorists. The general store’s chicken or beef pot pies are available for purchase or shipping—and the chocolate chip cookies are amazing. Next door, stop by Primitive Images for rustic furnishings and the tea room in the back, Good Hart and Soul. Then it’s on to A Studio Shop for sweet seasonal gifts and home accessories.
Cross Village
M-119 continues north for seven miles before ending at Cross Village and county road C-77, also known as State Road. Take State about a block to the corner of Levering Road to find Three Pines Studio. This art gallery features the work of more than 40 Northern Michigan artists and offers classes and workshops. Outside is a beautiful sculpture garden.
Back on the main street is the iconic Legs Inn where you’ll find authentic Polish food. The historic restaurant sits on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan—catch a sunset and visit the garden.
Travel Tip: The first Saturday of October, Three Pines hosts Great Lakes Pumpkin Patch Day. The studio is aglow with hundreds of handblown glass pumpkins.
North of Cross Village
If you have time, continue on the same road about three miles north and, when it ends, turn left toward Lake Michigan. This takes you into parks along Sturgeon Bay. The pristine beach is great for walking and wading. Parking is available and beach access is free. The main entrance to Wilderness State Park is about 16 miles away (903 Wilderness Park Dr., Carp Lake). The park covers nearly 10,500 acres, has 26 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and includes hiking trails, campsites and nine rental cabins. It’s also a designated dark sky park. You’ll need a recreation passport.
After the beach, retrace your route south to Cross Village. You can drive back to Harbor Springs through the Tunnel of Trees, maybe switching drivers so the previous one can rubberneck this time. Or you can take State Road (C-77), which is a shorter and faster route preferred by locals. About 1.5 miles south of Cross Village on the right is a roadhouse-style family restaurant called Crow’s Nest, where pan-fried perch is a favorite.
This story was last updated on May 19, 2025.
More Northern Michigan Travel Ideas:
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- Travel to 10 Upper Peninsula Waterfalls for Stunning Fall Color
- 10 Not-to-Miss Fall Color Hikes in Northern Michigan
- 10 Best Michigan Color Tour Views to Take Your Breath Away
- Stay in a Treehouse During Northern Michigan’s Fall Color Season
- 11 Dazzling Northern Michigan Winter Travel Ideas for Your Bucket List
Can you take a motorcoach on this narrow 2 lane road?
Hi Grace, you can if you go slow, but it’s very tight.
could you drive a motorhome through the tunnel of trees
Wouldn’t recommend that at all… It’s not always two lanes with limited visibility.
How long a drive would it be from Harbour Springs to Cross Village if we did not make any stops. Also if we took the alternate route back to Harbour Springs-how long does that take. We have a very limited amount of time to spend in HS and Petosky and we are driving from Houghton Lake,about a 2 hr drive to HS.
Just rode my motorcycle down M-119 today. Absolutely incredibly road. I was riding up the west coast of Michigan and almost considered skipping M-119 but decided to do it on a whim; totally worth it.
Great website