Best Places for Fall Colours in Ontario

Much to the chagrin of my neighbors, I refuse to rake up my fall leaves until they are brown and brittle. I have good reason for my un-neighborly conduct. Aside from the luxurious carpet that only Mother Nature can provide, I am constantly amused by the endless string of children who jump into, kick around and throw leaves. There are prowling cats that like to dive into the deep bits and even the occasional adult who succumbs to the irresistible allure of a big pile of leaves.

If you love Fall foliage, there are many great places in Ontario to catch the leaves turning hues. There’s even a Fall Colours Report that will keep you updated as the foliage unfolds. Here are the best places for Fall colours in Ontario:

Parks

If you are heading to one of Ontario’s many beautiful parks to view the autumn leaves, you will want to keep an eye on the fall colours report. This helps you to gauge the progress so that you catch the colours at their best. See the website here.

Rail Trips

Nothing beats the romance of rail and there are some pretty spectacular train trips that will display the very best of the fall colors. Try VIA Rail’s A Superior Fall Colours of Ontario Experience; a four night extravaganza from Toronto to White River in Northern Ontario.

Bruce Peninsula

Leaf peepers can also catch the sights in the brilliant Bruce Peninsula National Park. The 800km-long trail is perfect for hikes or take a drive along one of the fall colour scenic routes.

Niagara Parkway

Considered to be one of Canada’s premier fall colour destinations, Niagara Parkway is only a short drive from Toronto. Winston Churchill described the road along the river that runs from Niagara-on-the-Lake as the “prettiest Sunday drive in the world.” Follow the Niagara River from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Queenstown in early October for the best colours.

Toronto

If you are in the city over fall, head to High Park and wander around the woodland trails on this 360-hectare park or take a ferry over the bay to one of Toronto’s Islands. You can get a view of the island colours and those of the city on these picturesque ferry tours.

If you have a car, don’t miss hiking in Rouge Park, Canada’s only national urban park. A 20 minute drive will yield easy to moderate trails with spectacular fall foliage. There are also free guided hikes offered by park volunteers.

Ottawa

The nation’s capital is no slouch when it comes to fancy fall colours. Take a stroll along the Rideau Canal or Gatineau Park for 200kms of vibrancy.

Keep Up with the Colours!

Don’t let Mother Nature get the best of you. Ontario Tourism updates their Fall Colours Report regularly during the autumn season. Click here to see the report.