Ontario Fall Colour Report

Muskoka is Home to the Best Fall Colours in Ontario

Updated: October 1, 2026

Best in Canada – Autumn Fall Colours

If you need any more reason to choose Muskoka as your leaf-peeping destination! Aside from the stunning colours, Muskoka was praised for the fun and exciting ways to experience the fall colours, including boat cruises, helicopter tours, ATV tours, zip line excursions, and kayaking adventures.

These 2026 dates are our best guess for when to see the fall colours this year. Please note, these are just educated guesses based on historical trends. There are many factors that affect when the fall colours will be best for viewing, and these conditions and dates may change slightly from year to year.

Early fall colour viewing opportunities: September 20 – October 3
Peak maple fall colour viewing opportunities: October 4 – 8
Peak golden encore fall colour viewing opportunities: October 9 – 18

If you plan on visiting Muskoka this fall, bookmark this page so you get the most up-to-date report.

Fall Colour Update

We are approaching peak viewing in some areas of the region.

Bracebridge: Advancing to Peak – 30 – 40% – Pockets of colour expanding, more evident – green beginning to fade
Georgian Bay: Advancing to Peak – 10 – 20% – Very small pockets of colour here and there – green predominates
Gravenhurst: Advancing to Peak – 40 – 50% – Half the trees have turned colour – nice time to go for a tour
Huntsville: Advancing to Peak – 80- 90% – Almost full colour – 20% leaf fall.
Lake of Bays: Advancing to Peak – 50 – 60% – Just over half of the foliage has turned colour – nice time to go for a tour
Muskoka Lakes: Advancing to Peak – 30 – 40% – Pockets of colour expanding, more evident – green beginning to fade
Algonquin Park: Advancing to Peak – 90% – Almost full colour – 20% leaf fall. Visit the Ontario Parks website for details about visiting Algonquin Park. Day Use passes are Sold Out October 3 and 4.

Driving Tours:

Top Roads to Drive in the Fall:

Muskoka Rd 17 from Gravenhurst to Bracebridge; you could stop at Muskoka Beach for a gorgeous view of Lake Muskoka; sections of the road are like a canopy.
Hwy 117 to Baysville and Dorset; stop and walk along the river in the park.
HWY 118 east from Bracebridge to Hwy 35.
Muskoka Road 13, Severn Bridge to Torrance, is a winding road with lots of maple trees; stop and hike through the Torrance Barren.

Best Fall Lookouts:

Lions Lookout in Huntsville – 100 Lions Lookout Point Rd, Huntsville
Huckleberry Rock – 1057 Milford Bay Rd, Bracebridge
Dorset Lookout Tower – 1191 Dorset Scenic Tower Rd, Dorset

2026 Festival & Events:

Sandhill Nursery Fall Festival in Huntsville from September 12 – October 25
Fall Forest of Lights at Sandhill Nursery in Huntsville from September 24 – October 31
Muskoka Cranberry Route across the region from September 25 – October 18
Cranberry Harvest at Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery in Bala from September 26 – October 25
Spooktacular at Santa’s Village, in Bracebridge, weekends from September 26 – October 25
Oktoberfest Muskoka across Muskoka from September 26 – October 25
Bala Cranberry Festival – October 16 – 18
Muskoka: Home of the Stars – October 16 – November 7

For a full list, visit our Guide to Muskoka Must-Do Fall Events.

Huntsville Fall Colour Report

Best places to view the fall colours:

Big Bend Lookout and Stubbs Falls at Arrowhead Park
Lion’s Lookout Trail (pictured above)

Fun ways to experience the fall colours

Take a fall colour horse and wagon ride at Back of Beyond Equine Centre
Bicycle around town, or take the popular Fairy Vista Trail
Visit Arrowhead Provincial Park for exceptional hiking, biking and canoeing
Rent a canoe or kayak from Algonquin Outfitters in Downtown Huntsville and paddle the Muskoka River into one of the larger lakes.
Walk to one of the downtown restaurants after your excursion for a bite to eat
Try one of the many core brews at Canvas Brewing Company
Great food, packed with flavour, great ambiance and excellent service are waiting for you at Tall Trees Muskoka.
Step into the past at Muskoka Heritage Place, and get aboard the Portage Flyer Train for a magical ride
Take the self-guided Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery tour, paying homage to the famous painters who found inspiration from surrounding areas
See the colours from the tree canopies as you zip line and complete aerial games at Treetop Trekking
Golf at Huntsville Downs and Deerhurst Resort

Lake of Bays Fall Colour Report

Best places to view the fall colours:

Oxtongue Rapids Park & Trail (pictured above)

Best ways to experience the fall colours:

Take the Lake of Bays Scenic Drive, a Muskoka Signature Experience
Take the popular Ragged Falls Canoe Trip, a three- to four-hour paddle offered by Algonquin Outfitters
Try a tasty pint at Lake of Bays Brewing Co. – try their Foghorn fall seasonal, only around for a limited time.
Get up close and personal with nature and hiking at Echo Valley Nature Trail and Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve

Bracebridge Fall Colour Report

Best places to view the fall colours:

Strawberry Bay Point Trail
Bracebridge Bay Trail: The 1.5 km trail follows the North Branch of the Muskoka River around Bracebridge Bay. Access points: Bird Lane, Ecclestone Drive, Entrance Drive, King Street and Wharf Road. (pictured above)

Best ways to experience the fall colours:

Rent a kayak, canoe, or SUP from Liv Outside, right on the Muskoka River. Take one of their popular paddle and waterfall adventures
Enjoy a fall cruise aboard Muskoka Cruises.
Explore one of the many waterfalls Bracebridge is renowned for
One of the best spots for hiking is the Bracebridge Resource Management Centre, a spectacular woodland setting along the Muskoka River
Golf at South Muskoka, Bracebridge Golf Club and Muskoka Highlands
Stop in at Muskoka’s first craft brewery, Muskoka Brewery, sample the beer and take a tour.
Take in the fall colours on a Guided E-Bike tour through Bracebridge – Hot Chocolate included!

Gravenhurst Fall Colour Report

Best places to view the fall colours:

Best ways to experience the fall colours:

Climb aboard the historic Muskoka Steamships for a fall cruise of the lakes (pictured above)
Unique to Gravenhurst, visit the Tree Museum, an outdoor art exhibit that brings you up close and personal to the fall colours
The Ryde Barn Quilt Trail makes an adventure of leaf peeping, and the history behind the settlement will certainly be of interest
Gravenhurst Farmers Market runs until October 7
Sawdust City Brewery offers fall seasonal brews for that tasty pint
Find a hiking trail around town and walk through the Muskoka backcountry.
View the colours while enjoying a sauna and lake plunge at Floathaus – Muskoka’s Floating Sauna.
See the colours from the water by boat. Boat rentals are available at the Muskoka Wharf from Muskoka Boat Rentals
Exceptional golf at the Muskoka Bay Club, one of Canada’s top-ranked courses

Muskoka Lakes Fall Colour Report

Best places to view the fall colours:

Best ways to experience the fall colours:

The Cranberry Harvest is Muskoka’s largest fall celebration! Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery (pictured above) is your headquarters for this exciting time of year, with 3 tours daily, shopping, tasting, hiking, wagon tours and helicopter rides
Stop in Torrance at the amber flashing light; Clear Lake Brewing Co. has cold beer, great food & entertainment.
Take the self-guided driving tour, View the Lakes Muskoka Chair Tour
Marvel at the colours from the lake aboard Sunset Cruises and Muskoka Cruises.
Top hiking trails include Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery, Hardy Lake Provincial Park, and Huckleberry Rock Lookout
Golf at Rocky Crest Golf Resort on Lake Joseph

Georgian Bay Fall Colour Report

Best places to view the fall colours:

Georgian Bay Islands National Park, Muskoka’s hidden gem and only National Park (pictured above)
Big Chute Marine Railway, overlooking Gloucester Pool, is a lovely destination for picnic lunches

Best ways to experience the fall colours:

Spend the day close to nature at Six Mile Lake Provincial Park. Hiking, canoeing, fishing and boating are all offered until October
Witness an engineering marvel at the Big Chute Marine Railway
Go for a bike ride on Georgian Bay Island National Park. Rent a bike, or bring your own
Watch the boats go in and out of the locks at Lock 45 of the historic Trent-Severn Waterway in Port Severn. Bring a picnic lunch or stop at one of Port Severn’s great waterfront restaurants
Top hiking trails include the School House Walk, the Port Severn Walk, and the Georgian Bay Islands National Park