Best Places in Canada to See Fall Leaves
As Summer comes to an end, colder days start to show up and the leaves begin to discolour. Fall is moving in and the Fall leaves wave the landscape carpet once again. In many countries, this Fall spectacle is also known as Indian Summer. On the continent of North America, the months of September and October might have an exceptionally dry and mild autumn. Days and weeks of consistent weather are typical. An paradise for the senses is created by the clear blue sky, comfortable temperatures, and the distinctive, rich leaf colouring. A high-pressure area sweeps from south to north after the first frost, ensuring the rising temperatures. A low-pressure system from the north will start to modify the weather from the beginning of November, gently but surely bringing on winter.
Due to the diversity of the tree species on the North American continent, leaf discolouration is unusual in this region of the world. When the leaves slowly dry out in the autumn and fall off, the wide variety of tree species eventually results in a varied colour spectrum. In the fall, the eastern Canadian forests make for fantastic trekking and hiking excursions where you can get up close to the natural world and the animals that live there. It is not unusual to see raccoons, moose, beavers, or even wolves and bears in the many national parks. The finest way to experience the dreamy skyline of the national parks, or the trees along the shoreline, is from a canoe or kayak, but driving along many beautiful Canadian national parks can be an unforgettable experience as well.
READ MORE: This is When Fall Colours Peak in Ontario
Maple leaves are just starting to turn from green to yellow, are expected to reach their peak fiery red colour around end of September and early October this year. Aspens should be changing their colour in early to mid-October, and tamaracks should be turning golden yellow around mid- to late October. If you want to see some gorgeous leaves, now is a good time to start organizing your vacation or da trips, as one of the finest times to see them is already ending by late October.
Most beautiful places to see Fall colours in Canada
Canada is big, if you didn’t hear yet, Canada is second biggest country in the world. To visit all great places during Fall would be impossible even to the top world travellers and alpinists. Therefore we have chosen some of easily accessible spots where you can enjoy this breathtakingly beautiful spectacle by car, bike or canoe. And here are out top choices:
Algonquin Provincial Park – Ontario
2,955 mi2 (7,653 km2) of almost untouched wilderness can be found in the Canadian province of Ontario’s Algonquin Provincial Park. There are 2,456 lakes, as well as deciduous and coniferous woods, tall cliffs, wetlands, and other natural features. The park, which is around 125 miles (200 km) from Toronto, the capital of Ontario, is a well-liked vacation spot for local Canadians as well as for some 750,000 visitors from across the globe who come here each year. Algonquin Provincial Park is home to about 3,000 moose, 2,000 black bears, 30,000 beavers, and wolves. A visitors centre, a museum dedicated to lumberjacks, and some sizeable campsites may all be found along Highway 60, the major road that runs through the park. Regardless of where you enter Algonquin Park, from the west or from the east, simply drive along Highway 60 and you’ll see one of the best fall colours there is in Canada. If you choose to bring your bike with you, Old Rail Road Trail will be a great choice for you to enjoy fall season. And at last but not least, if you chose to bring your canoe or kayak with you, any lake at Algonquin Park will allow you to view this gorgeous spectacle free of charge. Don’t forget to bring your cell phone or camera with you, because you want to keep those memories for long time to come.
Mont-Tremblant National Park – Quebec
Before this National Park becomes Mecca for skiers and snow enthusiasts, it is worth visiting during Fall season as well. With a total area of 583 square miles (1,510 km2), this park is the first in Québec, a province that speaks some French. The mountain Mont Tremblant is well known for its name. The Parc national du Mont-Tremblant is home to 40 different species of mammals, including moose, wolves, foxes, black bears, snowshoe hares, beavers, otters, and mink. The park is definitely worth a visit and can be reached from Ottawa, the Canadian capital, via Route 323 or Montreal from HWY A-15 and Route 117. The fall season in Mont Tremblant is vibrant, making it the ideal time for visitors to go hiking, biking, ziplining, and taking gorgeous gondola rides. Visitors may now take in the breathtaking beauty that Mont Tremblant actually is at this time of year. The beautiful yellow, orange, and red maple trees that cover Quebec provide an explosion of colour that makes the fall in Mont Tremblant wonderful. Mont Tremblant, which is distinguished by a fresh atmosphere and an abundance of fall activities, serves as the ideal refuge before the cold weather sets in. As fall approaches, the majority of summertime attractions remain open, providing visitors the benefit of avoiding peak season crowds and hefty admission prices.
Thousand Islands National Park – Ontario
One of Canada’s smallest national parks is the Thousand Islands National Park, which has about 1,000 islands and is located near the border with the United States. This region has been a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 2002. There are 1,864 islands in the archipelago, with Wolfe Island being by far the biggest. Boldt Castle, located on Heart Island, is the most well-known tourist destination. Here, a short boat ride is worthwhile since the view of the little and huge islands from the water is magnificent. Visit Thousand Islands National Park to see its rocky shores and lovely granite islands. By kayak or boat, discover remote bays; camp or have a picnic by the river; or from the vantage point of woodland trails and rocky lookouts, discover the region’s biodiversity and rich Indigenous heritage. Ontario’s Thousand Islands is a fantastic place to go hiking and on outdoor excursions, especially in the fall. The Thousand Islands offers so much to see that you could easily stay a few days. A stunning natural area to explore and commune with nature is the Thousand Islands National Park. To get to the park is simple, from Toronto take Hwy. 401 and drive towards Kingston, you’ll be at the park in about 3 hours. From Montreal, take Hwy. 401 westward, towards Toronto and you can reach the park with 2 hours and 45 minutes. From Ottawa, the Hwy. 416 south and John Hwy. 401 towards Toronto, your travel time should be around 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Heart Lake – Ontario
Heart Lake near Ompah, Ontario, is a stunning and colourful site to behold, especially while the leaves are changing colour. Due to its distinctive shape and tranquil surroundings, the lovely lake, which is slightly over 100 miles southwest of Ottawa, has gained popularity as a photography location. Heart Lake is located on Crown Land and has no public access, which means many visitors have been trespassing in order to get a good look. There is no shortage of beautiful and jaw-dropping views of Heart Lake available on Instagram, so it’s best to stick to admiring pictures of the lake on your screen this season.
These are our top picks for best Fall season spots in Canada. There are too many to name, yet we will mention some more amazing spots for enjoying Indian summer in Canada:
Alaska Highway in Yukon
Killbear Provincial Park in Ontario
Parque National du Canada de la Mauricie in Quebec
Quebec City
Stanley Park in British Columbia
