10 Great Destinations to See Fall Foliage

The town of Canmore in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains offers fun and exciting ways to take in the spectacular colours of fall. Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park is a top spot with its glorious bright-yellow aspens set against blue autumn skies. Engage with nature on the Grassi Lakes Trail, a popular 2-km hike that passes a waterfall and takes you to 2 gorgeous blue lakes.

To enjoy crisp views from 2 wheels, hit the smoothly paved 22-km Legacy Trail between Banff and Canmore. Canmore’s fall foliage is no less spectacular from the water – kayaking and canoeing remain popular even past summer. Rundle Reservoir is a gorgeous spot to paddle out and enjoy the golden hues of the landscape below Canmore’s impressive natural landmark known as Ha Ling Peak.

Jasper’s green forested hills gradually fade to amber and yellow around August. Indeed, fall arrives in Jasper a bit earlier compared to Alberta’s other national parks. Its mountains and aspen-laden valleys with gushing rivers make it a top destination for admiring peak foliage between September and October.

Among Jasper’s most brilliant autumn panoramas is that of Athabasca Valley, backed by snow-capped peaks. It’s best viewed from the shores of Pyramid Lake. Another way to take in Jasper’s peak colours is by driving the tamarack-lined Highway 16 from Edmonton, with scenic stops that include the glacial-fed Maligne Canyon and Medicine Lake. Finally, ride the Jasper Skytram and enjoy a breathtaking overview of the sea of gold beneath.

Victoria’s Beacon Hill Park is a popular fall foliage-viewing spot close to town. The Japanese maple trees turn a brilliant, fiery red in the fall. The Victorian-era Ross Bay Cemetery is a unique spot, especially when a light fog settles over the fallen maple leaves and tombstones. The lush Gorge Waterway and Esquimalt Gorge Park offer soothing views with their forested riversides turning gold over shimmering waters.

A visit to The Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay never disappoints. Its Japanese Garden features contrasting shades of green, yellow, crimson and bronze framing an Insta-worthy red bridge. Its Sunken Garden is a brilliant splash of colours viewed from the path above. The Gardens at HCP (Horticulture Centre of the Pacific) in Saanich are also worth the short drive out for its Zen Garden.

Fall is the right season to visit Okanagan Valley and enjoy crisp blue skies and pleasant temperatures in one of BC’s top wine regions. You can engage in scenic trips and tastings at South Okanagan Lake vineyards or join various fall harvests at family-run orchards. The drive up to Knox Mountain Park offers sweeping mountain and lake views and the park itself offers plenty of fun, from easy hiking to swimming and disc golf.

Other outdoor pursuits to enjoy while taking in the dramatic fall foliage range from paddling and riding horseback around Okanagan Lake to hitting the old rail corridor of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail on 2 wheels. The trail leads to Myra Canyon, covered in larch that turns golden yellow in the fall.

East Kootenay is home to Kootenay National Park, a top spot for admiring fall foliage in southeastern BC. Vermillion River, in particular, runs through the park and has sugar maples in bright orange to fiery red set against blue skies, all mirrored on the river’s calm surface. Numa Falls, part of the river, offers a more dramatic view. You can access it directly from the roadside of Highway 93 within the national park.

As summer passes and cooler weather arrives in East Kootenay, you can take advantage of the quieter season with a soak at Radium Hot Springs. Its superb location on the edge of the Canadian Rockies means you can also take your pick of hiking trails through amazing fall foliage views, such as that along the Sinclair Creek Trail. For an otherworldly yet Insta-worthy shot, hike to The Paint Pots, a spring system that’s contrastingly bright yellow and green due to its rich ochre deposits.

Visiting Niagara Falls in September or October allows you to take in the dramatic views of the iconic rushing waters without the summer crowds. Make a stop at the serene Dufferin Islands Nature Area with its interconnected trails and bridges. The Floral Showhouse, just a short walk south of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls, has beautiful gardens and seasonal floral displays. The European-style Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens also has plenty of trees changing colours in the fall.

Besides admiring the natural wonder, do the White Water Walk to see the rushing river and fall colours from up close, just after an elevator ride down to a tunnel and boardwalk. And when you think you’ve seen the falls from all angles, try riding the WildPlay Niagara Falls Zipline to the Falls for thrills plus a higher view.

The best places to see fall colours in the township of Muskoka Lakes are along scenic trailheads, waterfalls, and even on local farms. The charming and central town of Port Carling is a good start for hikes in Muskoka Lakes, surrounded by water and with plenty to see – including the unusual Port Carling Wall mural – along the way. You can even go for a boat ride to enjoy the fall colours from the water.

Farms like Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery are cool spots to visit as you can admire stunning landscapes with maples and cranberry trees in peak colours during harvest weekends. The Bala Cranberry Festival in the namesake rural community is a great opportunity to see what it’s all about. You can also buy wines, cider and cranberries straight from the producers.

Start your fall adventures in Halifax at the public gardens and parks close to the lovely port town. The historic Halifax Public Gardens is one of the best nature viewing spots, right in the town’s hub. Its manicured grounds and floral exhibits are framed by the changing leaves of its oaks and elms.

You can stretch your legs along various trails covered with fallen leaves as you hike past fort ruins and a historic tower at Point Pleasant Park. Other scenic hikes near Halifax include the Charles Lake Trail, Bauer’s Lake Trailhead and Shaw Wilderness Park. Further afield, west of the town, is Kejimkujik National Park, a must-visit for autumn colours with over 15 trails and spots offering vivid scenery.

The vibrancy of fall starts to take over the lush Laurentian Mountains in early September, serving as a brilliant backdrop to the charming town of Mont Tremblant. Though it’s best known as a ski resort town, Mont Tremblant is beautiful in the fall when the sugar maple trees throughout the town and around Lake Tremblant change colour. Even strolls along tree-lined streets throughout the pedestrian village become become feasts for the eyes.

Just north of town, the forests and scenic hiking trails of Mont-Tremblant National Park become lively and colourful at this time of year. Take the La Roche Trail for magnificent panoramas from a ‘floating lookout’, and easily extend your adventure along the La Coulée and La Corniche trails. Those up for a bigger challenge choose the Via Ferrata Du Diable, which winds along a rock face and offers amazing views of the multi-hued canopies below.

Fall is the most spectacular season in the Laurentian Mountains when the landscapes of the range in southern Quebec are ablaze with yellows, gold, and reds. Peak foliage in the Laurentians occurs around October and some of the best ways to admire the colours are on forest hikes and in its festive villages.

Take the Chemin du Terroir, a marked trail that passes through over 226 km of farmlands and country backroads that change with the seasons. For local fall festivities, head to Sommet Saint Sauveur when it celebrates the season with the Fall Colour Festival on weekends in September and October. Sainte-Adèle also hosts the kooky Oktobierfest with concerts and a variety of local and regional brews to try.