Ontario's Best Fall Colour Destinations

Here are 9 of the best Ontario destinations to experience Fall colour. 

Have we missed any? Let us know in the comments.

1. Blue Mountain Village

Enjoy changing foliage as you whisk up Blue Mountain in Ontario’s only open air gondola and return to the Village Plaza to take in some live music. Pack your hiking shoes and be sure to take a trip along the Apple Pie Trail to discover culinary and artisan treasures along the way including local wine and cider tastings. After a day of taking in the stunning Fall colours be sure to take part in the most delicious Fall experience, Fallicious. One of the seasons most popular features is back! It’s Fallicious at Blue Mountain Village and that means beautiful autumn days filled with adventure and cool crisp evenings perfect for sitting by the fire or enjoying an evening of dining and entertainment.


2. Haliburton Highlands

The Haliburton Highlands include a unique topography of rolling hills, rock cuts, crystal clear waterways and exceptional woodlands.  You will not want to miss all of excitement between amazing outdoor adventures, arts & culture experiences and spectacular delights for foodies. For a unique Fall experience check out the Hike Haliburton Festival September 21-24, 2017. Canada’s largest hiking festival, the Hike Haliburton Festival welcomes over 2,000 people participate in 90 guided hikes throughout the beautiful Haliburton Highlands. Hikers of all ages and abilities come from all over Ontario – and beyond – to take in the wonder of our the Haliburton Highlands. The Festival goes beyond just ‘traditional hiking‘; heavily integrating the arts, culture, heritage and foodie experiences to truly showcase the area.


3. Mattawa Voyageur Country

Mattawa Voyageur Country is recognized as one of Canada’s leading sustainable outdoor recreation regions. It is the “gateway community” of choice for people looking to visit an area with exceptional natural beauty, rich culture and heritage attributes, high-quality trail-based experiences and outdoor adventures, a clean environment and a friendly, small-town atmosphere. Get the best out of Autumn with an outdoor adventure or follow the paths of the voyageurs.

4. Muskoka

Fall in Love with the best Fall getaways in Ontario.  Famed for our spectacular Fall foliage, spending Fall in Muskoka is an experience that goes unmatched. Fall colours usually last for a month, splitting the time between September and October. 

Come up for an extended stay or find a Fall weekend getaway package that suits you. Take a scenic hike through the colourful Muskoka forests and venture up to one of our lookouts for a spectacular view. Or try one of our recommended driving tours and see how the colours of the trees change before your eyes. Get out on horseback or hit the golf course to see the beautiful colours up close and personal. See for yourself why Muskoka is a favourite fall getaway in Ontario.

See more ways to experience Fall colours in Muskoka

5. Ontario's Highlands

Throw away the itinerary and let curiosity guide you in Ontario’s Highlands. Explore the diverse geology of the region and foster your sense of adventure by challenging the natural environment or climbing high above the trees. Follow your authentic sense of discovery through museums and natural heritage sites or feel your imagination come to life during quirky festivals and theatre shows. See smiles light your loved ones faces as you take in the breathtaking scenery or satisfy your search for indulgence at unique spas and lakeside retreats. Ontario’s Highlands is just 2.5 hours east of Toronto and a half hour west of Ottawa, but a world removed from it all. Step out of the city and into our world to reconnect, experience something new, and to wander.


6. Ontario's Lake Country

Ontario’s Lake Country is located just one hour north of the GTA, a perfect location to enjoy the peacefulness away from the busy city life and take in the breathtaking fall colours. Escape and book one of many distinctive fall getaways. Enjoy this beautiful and picturesque region on your choice of driving tours, cycling routes, scenic tours by boat or hiking the stunning trails along our waterways and scenic landscapes. There is something for everyone to Fall in love with Ontario's Lake Country.  

While enjoying the scenic Autumn landscape be sure to experience Ontario's Lake Country Fall Flavours, with local flavours through delicious 2-3 course set meals created by participating Flavours of Ontario’s Lake Country Chefs!  Enjoy a 2-3 course set lunch and/or dinner menu at participating restaurants around Ontario’s Lake Country.

7. Ottawa Valley

Cradled between the Ottawa River and Algonquin Park, the Ottawa Valley is famous for its stunning outdoors and cultural and heritage riches. Known as Ontario’s Adventure Playground and Whitewater Capital of Canada, the area is surrounded by woodlands, over 900 pristine lakes and four major river systems making it the perfect destination to view the beauty of Ontario's Fall foliage. One of only two regions in the world with the unique combination of climate and topography that results in brilliant fall foliage, the Valley is a magnificent place to enjoy throughout the autumn months. Glorious colours and crisp, cool weather make it an excellent season for exploring the countryside. Go on a Fall Rural Ramble and experience Studio Tours, Taste of the Valley, underground dining, fossil hunts, self-guided hikes and giant pumpkin weigh-offs. Many Ottawa Valley accommodations have special Rural Ramble packages, making it the perfect time to plan a weekend getaway.


8. Town of Midland

Nestled on the shores of Georgian Bay, Midland makes for the perfect day trip or weekend getaway to experience the beauty of Autumn. Whether by foot, bike, boat or car there are ample opportunities to get to and around Midland. Enjoy the Fall colours from scenic Little Lake Park, just minutes from downtown Midland or explore some of the trails and attractions that surround Midland.

9. Township of Algonquin Highlands

Known for spectacular Fall foliage, the Algonquin Highlands is one of Ontario's must visit places for Autumn. Home to many of the best water trails and hiking trails in Ontario there are endless opportunities to experience the best of Fall in Ontario. Be sure to visit the Dorset lookout tower for the best view of Fall colors in the highlands! With a breathtaking 360 degree view, the observation deck of this historic tower stands 142 metres (465 feet) above Lake of Bays.

Find out when and where the peak of Fall colour is with our Fall Progression Report.  Plan an Autumn Getaway in Central and Northern Ontario in one Ontario's finest resorts and travel destinations.  Find the best Fall Fairs, Studio Tours and Fall Events and Activities North of Toronto.

Fall Colour Road Trip-Train Trip to Agawa Canyon

The Toronto Star featured the famous Agawa Canyon this week  Fall Colours: Train ride to inspiring Northern Ontario.The Fall Colour Road trip took us to St. Joseph's island before we hit Sault Ste. Marie Ontario.  A delightful side trip and as we found out one of Canada's top Maple Syrup Producing Areas.

St. Joseph's Island Side Trip

Lower Level Platform View of Fall Colours

Higher Platform View of Fall Colours

Back to the Train in Agawa Canyon

Agawa Canyon Park Welcome


If you are unable to make the Agawa Canyon trip this year, there is always next year.  Check the suggested road trips for fall colours suggested here at Ontario Fall Colour Road Trips

Fall Road Trip to Kawartha Lakes

A Friday Sept. 10, 2010 craving for fish'n chips took us to Kinmount Ontario via Highway11 North to Orillia to the Monck Road (County Road 45) to Norland and Kinmount.  See details on  Backroads to Kinmount

Kinmount is a part of the larager community..City of Kawartha Lakes.  Our first stop was at Quaker Oaks for a coffee and muffin, then on to Norland Ontario at the Junction of Highway 35 and County Road 45 to view the changing fall colours along the river....

Only slight color changes along the way with shrubs and brush in bog areas where you see reds and yellows

Kinmount Fish and Chips is located on the main street beside one of the prettiest Canada Post locations.

Lots of Fall Colours--at lower levels.

Although the Ontario Fall Colour report has stopped, don't let this deter you from travelling north of Toronto to enjoy hikes and fall colour walks. There are many forested areas that have brilliant views of yellows, with a few reds as well as amazing contrasts of the golden Poplar trees against the darker greens of Spruce , Cedars and Pines. The attached photos highlight the areas in and around Midland north of Toronto, taken on Friday October 26. A perfect fall colour drive into the Midland area would be the Old Fort Road Tour starting at Highway 400 and Highway 93.

See additional Ontario fall colour drives and road trips

Fall Colours North of Toronto Showing Yummy Yellows

Fall Colours Still Strong in Areas North of Toronto

Vistors travelling north of Toronto can still see significant oranges, and yellows throught the Kawaraths and Huronia. Up to date fall colour reports should be checked before heading out on your fall colour drives and road trips.

Fall Fairs Foliage Fall Colours (Colors) Farmers' Markets

Ministry of Tourism is reporting the following leaf change percentages for a number of areas in the Province of Ontario for Thanksgiving Weekend. See suggested fall drives and details on possible fall colour road trips provided by www.400Eleven.com.

Visit a fall fair or a farmers' market for the fall harvest good

The Parry Sound and Muskoka regions are starting to see some good fall colour with a 65 to 80% change at this time with some beautiful areas of bright orange and red with 25-30% leafall.

Algonquin Provincial Park is an extremely popular fall colour destination. The colour has advanced quickly over the last week and is now at PEAK .

The North Bay area is now reporting PEAK colour along Highway 11 with deep reds and oranges spectacular at this time. Hwy 11, north of the city is very close to peak, colours are spectacular with bright reds and oranges. The drive from North Bay to Huntsville along Highway 11 is excellent for fall colour viewing.

The Haliburton area has advanced to an 80% change, with the drive along Highway 35 always incredible during the fall. Buttermilk Falls, along Highway 35, north of Minden is an excellent viewing location. Highway 118 in the Carnarvon area always offers some good fall colour as well.

The Kawartha Lakes region is reporting PEAK colour change. Highway 121 off Highway 35 is offering some beautiful colour at this time.

The Barrie, Orillia, Midland and across to Wasaga Beach area is showing a 50 - 60% colour change. The Horseshoe Valley region, north east of Barrie is offering some outstanding pockets of colour with bright reds, yellows and oranges. Colours expect to peak over the Thanksgiving weekend. The two hour South Simcoe Fall Colour Train Excursions out of the Tottenham area continue over the next couple of weekends with the final trip featured on October 14^th.

The Collingwood area offers some ideal fall colour viewing locations especially around the Scenic Caves. The area is reporting a 70% change. The view from the suspension bridge at Scenic Caves, at the top of Blue Mountain, is always incredible but especially nice during the fall.

The colour is close to PEAK now in the Pembroke area across to Renfrew to Arnprior and into the Ottawa Valley region.

The Beaver Valley region south of Thornbury has about a 40% colour change with muted reds, oranges and yellows. Hockley Valley, east of Orangeville the colour has advanced to 75% with 15-20% leafall. Colours are most orange, red with a splash of gold. This weekend will be PEAK in the Hockley Valley Region.

Ontario Fall colour Road Trips-Thanksgiving Weekend

Ontario Fall travel over the Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend is one of the most popular times of the year for a road trip to see the beautiful fall colours. As many of the resort destinations north of Toronto come into peak fall colours we remind all of our visitors to engage in safe driving practices when viewing the leaves. 400ELEVEN also offers a number of fall driving tips to help you get the most out of Ontario fall colours.

Ideas for fall colour drives north of Toronto are available at Ontario Fall Colour Road Trips and Drives where you will find more than 20 suggestions for overnight, day trip or extended stays.