Best Autumn Fall Colours in Ontario
Updated: November 2018
Best in Canada
If you needed any more reason to choose Muskoka as your leaf peeping destination, Muskoka was named by Huffington Post as the best place in Canada to view fall colours! 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.
Fall Colour Update
The best fall colour viewing opportunities have passed us by for autumn 2018. Earmark these dates for 2019 and make sure you plan your visit to witness some of the most stunning fall colours in Canada.
These dates are our best guess for when to see the fall colours in 2019. 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 24 – September 30
Peak maple fall colour viewing opportunities: October 1 – October 12
Peak golden encore fall colour viewing opportunities: October 13 – 21
If you plan on visiting Muskoka in fall 2019, bookmark this page so you get the most up to date report.
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
- Bike rentals available at Algonquin Outfitters. 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
- Step into the past 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, Deerhurst Resort, and North Granite Ridge
Lake of Bays Fall Colour Report
Best places to view the fall colours:
- Dorset Fire Tower
- Oxtongue Rapids Trail (pictured above)
Best ways to experience the fall colours:
- Take the Lake of Bays Scenic Drive, a Muskoka Signature Experience
- Cruise the lake aboard the historic SS Bigwin, taking in the beautiful fall colours from the water
- Golf or dine at the Historic Bigwin Island Golf Course and Marine Dining Room
- Take the popular Ragged Falls Canoe Trip, a three to four hour paddle offered by Algonquin Outfitters
- Take a brewery tour at Lake of Bays Brewing Co – try their Pumpkin Ale fall seasonal, only around for a limited time
- See the colours from the water with boat rentals from Baysville Marina
- 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 Point Trail and lookout
- Downtown Muskoka at the Silver Bridge and Bracebridge Falls, one of the trademark sights of the community (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
- Take a fall colour cruise aboard the Lady Muskoka
- Still time to create family memories at Santa’s Village and Sportsland. Check out when they’re open
- Muskoka Zip Lines and Aerial Park is open every weekend until Thanksgiving
- 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 and Muskoka Highlands
- Stop in at Muskoka’s first craft brewery, Muskoka Brewery, sample the beer and take a tour. Try their signature brews, but also try out their fall seasonals including their Harvest Ale
- Discover Muskoka’s artists at the Chapel Gallery
- The Bracebridge Farmers Market runs every Saturday, 8:30am to 1pm, until Thanksgiving weekend
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)
- See Muskoka’s majestic fall colours on a sightseeing helicopter tour, departing from the Muskoka Airport.
- Unique to Gravenhurst, visit the Tree Museum, an outdoor art exhibit that brings you up close and personal to the fall colours
- Commemorating 135 years of settlement in Ryde, 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 25
- Sawdust City Brewery offers fall seasonal brews, tastings and tours, and is a popular place for live music on Saturday nights
- Find a hiking trail around town and walk through the Muskoka back country.
- See the colours from the water by boat. Boat rentals are available at the Muskoka Wharf from Boat Rentals Canada
- Exceptional golf at Taboo or Muskoka Bay Club, two 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:
- Don’t miss the Bala Cranberry Festival, always the weekend after Thanksgiving
- 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
- Take the all new self-guided driving tour, View the Lakes Muskoka Chair Tour
- Marvel in the colours from the lake aboard Sunset Cruises
- See the colours from the perfectly manicured fairways at Rocky Crest Golf Course or Windermere Golf Club
- Winding Fences Farm in Windermere offers a unique way to hike the trails and see the colours, on horseback
- Top hiking trails include Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery, Hardy Lake Provincial Park, and Huckleberry Rock Lookout
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:
- Rent a canoe or kayak from Swift Outdoor Centre in Port Severn
- Spend the day close to nature at Six Mile Lake Provincial Park. Hiking, canoeing, fishing and boating are all offered until October 9
- 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
