Prime Spots to Catch the Fall Colours in Ontario

Fall colors are usually on display from mid-September to the middle of October, and with more than

70 million hectares

of forest, there are several key spots in the province to watch the season change.

Here are some top destinations for those looking to explore more of the fall colors in Ontario.

Algonquin Provincial Park

Algonquin Provincial Park

offers many viewing spots for those looking to see the autumn colors. Visitors can drive along the Highway 60 corridor or explore nature up close with the trails and day use areas. It’s important to remember to buy a permit to visit the park, and it’s recommended to book in advance. The park website says weekends can be “extremely busy” and Thanksgiving is especially popular. For a less crowded experience, consider visiting Monday to Thursday or as early as possible on the weekends. There is also a campground in the area for those who want an overnight experience. Algonquin is about 3 hours north of Toronto.

Mikisew Provincial Park

The forested region in

Mikisew Provincial Park

offers a chance to explore the area and marvel at the changing colors in the trees. Whether you wander the Beaver Meadow and Maple Canyon trails or stop for a game of disc golf, you’ll be surrounded by the season. The park also has two campgrounds for a longer stay. It’s located just west of Algonquin, a drive of about 3 hours and 20 minutes from the GTA.

Restoule Provincial Park

The entire

Restoule Provincial Park

is surrounded by trees, making it an ideal spot for fall color viewing. Some of the best areas in the park to see the changing colors are the Fire Tower Trail and the River Trail. The park also has mountain biking trails where visitors can get up close to nature. Campers are welcome to find a spot in the maple forest or on the waterfront. It is located northwest of Toronto, about a 3-hour and 45-minute drive.

Robertson Cliffs

Located just 30 minutes north of Sault Ste. Marie,

Robertson Cliffs

offers a hike that ends with a spectacular view of the fall colors in the area. Visitors will be able to see the Bellevue Valley and could even catch a glimpse of Lake Superior if the weather is good. The hike can take up to 2 hours and is ranked moderate difficulty as there are some rocks and small streams to get past.

Fire Tower Lookout

The highest point in the Elliot Lake area is the

Fire Tower lookout

and it offers a 180-degree view of the wilderness. On clear days, visitors can see Manitoulin Island. It’s home to the ranger tower, built in 1954, which now serves as a museum and visitors center.

East Lookout, Manitoulin Island

Located just 18 kilometers west of Little Current is the

Cup and Saucer

trail, named

because

the higher “cup” is located on a lower “saucer” formation. It is the Manitoulin extension of the Niagara Escarpment. There are cliffs that are 70 meters high and more than 2 kilometers long. The site has 12 kilometers of hiking trails and 2 kilometers of adventure trails.

Tower Hill Lookout & Heritage Garden

A 30-meter high observation tower, the

Tower Hill Lookout & Heritage Garden

in Parry Sound, offers 360-degree views of the Georgian Bay. It’s an ideal spot to see seasonal colors. Travel up the 130 steps to enjoy amazing sights, including boats, float planes, and barges in the water and the Canadian Pacific Railway trestle bridge. Below the lookout is a garden and museum to find out more about the local history.

Spy Rock Lookout

A unique lookout spot to see the fall colors in northeastern Ontario is the

Sky Rock lookout

on Foley Mountain. The granite ridge looks out over the Upper Rideau Waterway. It is home to hiking trails, picnic areas, an interpretive center, and a discovery center.

Pigeon River Provincial Park

Visitors to

Pigeon River Provincial Park

will enjoy a view of the orange and red leaves against a 28-meter high waterfall. The spot in northwest Ontario also offers views of Lake Superior and the U.S. shoreline. It has hiking and walking trails to the falls and river gorge. Metal art sculptures dot the area, sharing the history of the land, with evidence of human activity dating back to 7000 BC.

Tips for Viewing Fall Colors

For those looking to get the best fall color viewing experience, here are some tips.

Plan Ahead

Visit the

Fall Color Report

to find out where the best viewing spots in Ontario are at any given time.

Pick Your Park

Some provincial spots are busier than others, especially on the weekends. If you’re looking for a quieter nature experience, consider a weekday trip.

Keep it Clean

Remember when visiting provincial parks to put garbage where it belongs or take it with you.