Ontario Fall Guide

Ontario Autumn Adventure Guide

Your ultimate cheatsheet for fall activities and hidden gems in Ontario.

🍁 Track the Colours! 🍁

Before you head out, use the official Ontario Parks Fall Colours Report to find out when the leaves are at their peak!

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Lookouts

Eagle's Nest Lookout

📍 Calabogie

Stunning cliff-top views of the Madawaska Valley. Relatively easy hike. Can get crowded on weekends.

Price: Free (Parking fees may apply)

Dorset Scenic Tower

📍 Dorset, Muskoka

360-degree panoramic views from an historic fire tower. Expect crowds in peak season.

Price: ~$10 per person

Lion's Lookout

📍 Huntsville, Muskoka

Overlooks Huntsville, the Muskoka River, and Fairy Lake. Easy to access from town.

Price: Free

Dundas Peak

📍 Hamilton

Iconic view over Spencer Gorge. Visit with Tew's and Webster's Falls. Reservations essential.

Price: ~$15-20 per car

Thousands Islands Tower

📍 Lansdowne, 1000 Islands

Elevated views of the St. Lawrence River and islands. Accessible by elevator.

Price: ~$15-20 per person

Hidden Gem Small Towns

Elora

📍 Southwestern Ontario

Picturesque village on the Grand River with stunning gorges. Known for unique shops and cafes.

Price: Varies (entry to gorge is separate)

Almonte

📍 Eastern Ontario

Historic mill town with a beautiful river walk, antique shops, and local galleries.

Price: Free (explore town)

Perth

📍 Eastern Ontario

Charming stone town with historic architecture. Great for tranquil strolls.

Price: Free (explore town)

Creemore

📍 Central Ontario

Tucked into the Niagara Escarpment, known for its small-batch brewery and peaceful countryside.

Price: Free (explore town)

Paris

📍 Southwestern Ontario

Dubbed "The Prettiest Little Town in Canada," known for its river setting and historic buildings.

Price: Free (explore town)

Road Trips

Georgian Bay Coastal Route

📍 West-Central Ontario

A scenic drive along the stunning coastline of Georgian Bay. Best for a multi-day trip to explore.

Price: Free (fuel and other costs apply)

The Apple Pie Trail

📍 Blue Mountain/Collingwood Area

A culinary route for foodies. Features local bakeries, cideries, and orchards.

Price: Varies based on purchases

Muskoka Lakes Loop

📍 Muskoka Region

The classic fall drive through Huntsville and Port Carling. Offers stunning views and access to charming towns.

Price: Free (fuel and other costs apply)

Prince Edward County

📍 Southeastern Ontario

Known for its wineries, craft breweries, and farm-to-table dining. Great for a sophisticated fall getaway.

Price: Free (fuel and other costs apply)

Niagara Parkway

📍 Niagara Region

A scenic drive along the Niagara River from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Fort Erie.

Price: Free (fuel and other costs apply)


Train Tours

Agawa Canyon Tour Train

📍 Sault Ste. Marie

An iconic one-day train excursion into the heart of the Canadian Shield. Known for breathtaking fall colours.

Price: ~$130-160 per person

Waterloo Central Railway

📍 St. Jacobs/Waterloo

Heritage train rides through scenic Mennonite countryside. Great for a family outing.

Price: ~$20-50 per person

South Simcoe Railway

📍 Tottenham

Short, scenic trips on a historic steam train. A charming and unique way to see the foliage.

Price: ~$15-20 per person

Halton County Radial Railway

📍 Milton, GTA

Ride historic streetcars through a rural setting. Special fall events are often available.

Price: ~$15-20 per person

Port Stanley Terminal Rail

📍 Port Stanley, Southwestern Ontario

Scenic train rides along Kettle Creek and the Lake Erie shore. A great way to see the foliage by the water.

Price: ~$15-20 per person

Hikes

Algonquin Prov. Park

📍 Central Ontario

The ultimate fall hiking destination. Offers numerous trails and stunning lookouts. **Day passes must be booked in advance.**

Price: ~$21 per vehicle

Bruce Peninsula National Park

📍 Tobermory

Hike along cliff-edge trails with views of turquoise water. **Parking reservations are mandatory.**

Price: ~$12 per vehicle

Kawaratha Highlands Prov. Park

📍 Near Kinmount

Ontario's largest provincial park south of Algonquin. Rugged, expansive wilderness with challenging trails.

Price: Free

Awenda Provincial Park

📍 Penetanguishene

Offers diverse forest trails, a large portion of which are old-growth forest, excellent for fall colour viewing.

Price: ~$12 per vehicle

Balls Falls Conservation Area

📍 Jordan Station

Features two beautiful waterfalls and trails through the Niagara Escarpment.

Price: ~$7-10 per person

Pumpkin Patches & Farms

Warner Ranch & Pumpkin Farm

📍 Niagara-on-the-Lake

A classic fall destination with a huge pumpkin selection, corn maze, and family-friendly activities.

Price: Varies

Snyder's Family Farm

📍 Bright

A huge fall festival with haunted attractions, a corn maze, farm animals, and more.

Price: ~$20-30 per person

Merry Farms

📍 Hamilton

Offers extensive pumpkin patches, hayrides, and various farm activities for all ages.

Price: ~$15-25 per person

Proulx Maple & Berry Farm

📍 Ottawa

Known for its corn maze, wagon rides, petting farm, and pumpkin picking in the Ottawa area.

Price: Varies

Pepe's Pumpkin Patch

📍 Stouffville, GTA

A local favorite for pumpkin picking, wagon rides, and a petting zoo.

Price: Varies

Unique Experiences

Cranberry Plunge

📍 Bala, Muskoka

Wade into a bog of floating cranberries at the Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery. **Book in advance!**

Price: ~$10-20 per person

Salmon Run

📍 Owen Sound

Witness thousands of salmon leaping up the river during their annual migration. A spectacular natural event.

Price: Free

White River Suspension Bridge

📍 White River, Northern Ontario

A spectacular suspension bridge over a gorge in Pukaskwa National Park. Requires a multi-hour hike.

Price: ~$8 per person (park entry)

Ski-Lift Tour at Kelso

📍 Milton, GTA

Take a chairlift ride to the top of the Niagara Escarpment for panoramic fall views.

Price: ~$15-20 per person

Wagon Rides at Dual Acres

📍 Shallow Lake

Enjoy guided horse-drawn wagon or sleigh rides through scenic woodlots.

Price: Varies

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Festivals

Niagara Grape & Wine Festival

📍 Niagara Region

Celebrates the grape harvest with winery tours, tastings, parades, and live entertainment.

Price: Varies (individual event tickets)

Port Elgin Pumpkinfest

📍 Port Elgin

Famous for its giant pumpkin weigh-off, classic car show, and family activities.

Price: Free entry (some fees apply)

Bala Cranberry Festival

📍 Bala, Muskoka

A legendary festival celebrating the cranberry harvest with vendors, music, and food. **Takes place after Thanksgiving.**

Price: Varies (entry fee applies)

Brighton Applefest

📍 Brighton

Annual festival celebrating the apple harvest with street vendors, entertainment, and a parade.

Price: Free (some fees apply)

Blue Mountain Apple Harvest Festival

📍 Blue Mountain Village

A celebration of the apple harvest with live music, food, and family-friendly activities in the village.

Price: Free (some activities extra)

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