Disappointed that summer is over? Don’t be. Canada is lucky enough to experience a lush, vivid fall. Only a few hours out of Toronto, you can experience the full glory of an Ontario autumn, including hot apple cider, pumpkin carving, apple picking, hayrides, and haunted corn mazes.
Ontario attracts leaf-peepers to goggle at the vast, lush forests as they light up with bright oranges and yellow hues. Leaf-peeping is such a popular activity in the region, Ontario Parks has a leaf color tracker, a great reference for planning.
Here are the best places to see fall colors within driving distance of Toronto.
Algonquin Provincial Park
If there was an autumn-themed snow globe with falling leaves instead of snow, Algonquin Provincial Park would be the inspiration. This is one of the most remarkable places to view the fall colors of Canada. You can get lost in deep forests or view the vast expanse of fall foliage from various viewpoints and lakes. Algonquin Provincial Park offers a full-day adventure, so pack a picnic and wear comfortable hiking boots. Seeking out the autumn colors is a popular activity here; the park website follows the change in trees across the park with live updates. The park is vast, making viewpoint hikes worth the effort to see the leaves from above. Popular hikes include Lookout Hike, Centennial Ridges, and Track and Tower.
How to get to Algonquin Provincial Park: Algonquin is a scenic three-hour drive from Toronto. Public transportation lacks direct options; however, various tour companies offer Algonquin day tours.
Spencer Gorge Conservation Area
Less than an hour from Toronto, Spencer Gorge Conservation Area is packed with natural phenomena, thanks to its location on the stunning Niagara Escarpment. This area features multiple ridges and cliffs stretching through Ontario and into the U.S. states like Wisconsin, Illinois, New York, and Michigan. The autumn colors here are stunning, with plenty of viewpoints to choose from. Dundas Peak is the most famous, just a short forest hike from the parking lot. After visiting Dundas Peak, it’s a quick walk to Webster’s Falls and Tews Falls, two magnificent waterfalls surrounded by trees decorated in fall colors. Hamilton, where this section of the Niagara Escarpment is located, is the waterfall capital of Ontario, with stunning waterfalls like Albion Falls, Tiffany Falls, and the Devil’s Punchbowl nearby.
How to get to Spencer Gorge Conservation Area: From central Toronto, it’s only a 50-minute drive to Dundas Peak. Alternatively, you can take public transportation, which is a bit longer. Catch a shuttle from Union Station to Main Street Hamilton, then transfer to another bus to Dundas Peak. From there, you can walk to the waterfalls or check schedules for local buses.
Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area
Rattlesnake Point in Milton is another section of the Niagara Escarpment, overlooking the Nassagaweya Canyon. This forest boasts 100-year-old cedar trees that canopy you with fall foliage. It’s a popular spot for rock climbing, and the hiking trails offer various levels of difficulty. If you tire during your hike around the Point, take a short drive to Chudleigh’s apple farm for a mug of hot apple cider or a slice of apple crumble while enjoying the view of the fall cedars.
How to get to Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area: It’s an hour’s drive from Toronto, or you can take a bus or train from Union Station to Milton GO station, requiring further bus connections. There’s no direct public transit to Rattlesnake Point.
Belfountain Conservation Area
The Belfountain Conservation Area in Caledon is located on the stunning Bruce Trail, stretching from the Niagara River to Tobermory, Ontario. The Bruce Trail is Canada’s oldest marked hiking trail, and the trees here are both old and regal. The area features a suspension bridge, providing dramatic viewpoints of the fall foliage. Belfountain also includes Forks of the Credit Provincial Park, an excellent spot to admire the fall colors from the water, with opportunities for kayaking and canoeing. After a day of hiking, visit Downey’s Farm Market for what might be the biggest collection of pumpkins in Caledon.
How to get to Belfountain Conservation Area: It’s a 50-minute drive from downtown Toronto, with Forks of the Credit Provincial Park just six minutes further, accessible via hiking path. Public transport options are less straightforward; take the VIA Rail from Union Station to Malton GO, then a series of local buses.
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a picturesque 19th-century town located about a 20-minute drive from Niagara Falls. The town is lined with oak trees and filled with charming shops celebrating fall. It’s an ideal location for exploring local wineries in the fall, where you can rent a bicycle to tour various vineyards, such as Two Sisters Vineyards or Peller Estates Winery.
How to get to Niagara-on-the-Lake: The drive from downtown Toronto takes about two hours, although busy fall weekends could extend travel time to three hours. Public transport may provide a less stressful alternative; take the VIA Rail from Union Station to Niagara Falls, then transfer to a bus to Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Prince Edward County
Prince Edward County is a trendy destination celebrated for its vibrant food and culture scene, making it one of Canada’s coolest islands. This area is filled with galleries, amazing restaurants, and numerous fall-themed activities surrounded by spectacular foliage. The town resembles a scene from Gilmore Girls with its quaint antique shops, bookstores, and lovely cafes. Experience nature at Sandbanks Provincial Park, known for its misty, tree-lined beaches that are particularly enchanting in autumn.
How to get to Prince Edward County: This charming locale is roughly a 2.5-hour drive from downtown Toronto. For those opting for public transport, you can hop on a GO Train to Oshawa or take a VIA Rail to Belleville, then either connect with public buses or grab a quick taxi to Prince Edward County.
Muskoka
Schedule a few days to explore the beauty and serenity of Muskoka, a region of forests and lakes that is particularly delightful in fall. You can embark on autumn-specific cruises to marvel at the majestic tree-lined lakes, partake in cranberry festivals and farm visits, hike, and cycle through Georgian Bay Island National Park, or even enjoy a woodland wagon ride.
How to get to Muskoka: Muskoka is a three-hour drive from Toronto by car. However, accessing this area via public transportation can be challenging. Plan to spend at least a few days there, as numerous fall activities make it difficult to experience all in one day.
Sault Ste Marie
Sault Ste Marie is renowned for the Agawa Canyon Train, one of the most famous fall experiences in Canada. These breathtaking landscapes have existed for 1.2 billion years and have inspired countless artists, including the Group of Seven, Canada’s most prominent landscape painters of the early 20th century. Many of their works reflect the views you’ll witness during autumn. The fall foliage here is stunning, and the day-long train trip traverses lakes, gorges, and other natural wonders.
How to get to Sault Ste Marie: Sault Ste Marie is approximately a nine-hour drive from Toronto, rendering it impractical for a day trip but perfect for a longer escape from the city.
This article was originally published in October 2019 and last updated in September 2021.
