Where to See the Best Fall Foliage in Canada (with Exact Dates!)

Fall is a lovely time in Canada. That is why it is called “a second spring when every leaf is a flower”. Canada consists of some of the best parks to witness fall foliage between the end of September and mid-October. The blend of red, yellow, and orange hues leaves visitors from all over the world in awe. So, if you’re travelling this fall, here’s a list of where to see the best fall foliage in Canada.

Where to See the Best Fall Foliage in Canada

The Rocky Mountains, Alberta

Come September and October, the summer crowds are not there in the Rocky Mountains. The leaves of the trees have started to turn into red and yellow shades. Some of the best spots to experience fall foliage in the Rocky Mountains are Banff National Park, Johnston Canyon, Tunnel Mountain, Lake Louise, and the Lake Agnes hike.

Algonquin Park, Ontario

The 2,955 square–mile Algonquin Park is one of the most popular parks in Ontario. It is also a great place to see the best fall foliage in Canada. The reason for the park’s popularity is due to its size and close proximity to Toronto. It is the oldest provincial park in Canada, with dense forests and pristine lakes and rivers that one needs to explore on foot or by canoe. In the fall, the park’s maple trees, red oaks, aspens, and tamaracks reach their peak fall colour around mid- to late-October.

Niagara Parkway, Ontario

The Niagara River Parkway, or “River Road,” is a route that follows the curves of the Niagara River that divides the United States and Canada. Former U.K. Prime Minister once called it the “prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world”. The stretch between Queenston and Niagara-on-the-Lake reaches its best fall colours in early October. You can also visit Niagara Falls and explore the numerous wineries in the region.

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island (PEI) is another one of the best places to see fall foliage in Canada. PEI has a relatively moderate climate, which means that it has the longest fall foliage period in North America. Apart from witnessing fall foliage at its peak, you can also enjoy your time in PEI’s forests that are home to free moose, deer, and bears.

Bruce Peninsula, Ontario

The Bruce Peninsula lies between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. It consists of a 500-mile hiking trail that features everything from Ontario’s flora and fauna to stunning water vistas. Some trees in this area are more than 1000 years old and are coniferous, not changing colour. However, all other trees display spectacular fall colours, especially from the end of September to the beginning of October.

Fundy Coastal Drive, New Brunswick

The Bay of Fundy stretches from northern coastal area of Maine into Canada, between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It is an excellent maritime journey that offers a chance to witness some of the world’s highest tides. You can also see fall foliage in shades of red and orange. You can see the colours at their best during Canada’s Thanksgiving period, which is the first two weeks of October.

Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

Cabot Trail, in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, is one of the world’s most beautiful drives. It is where you can see fall foliage at its best with fiery reds, crimsons, oranges, and golds blanketing the highlands. The trees reach their peak in displaying fall colours towards the first or second week of October. While there, you can witness the seasonal Celtic Colours International Festival in mid-October.

Thousand Islands National Park, Ontario

Thousand Islands National Park, in Ontario, is a hidden gem when it comes to witnessing fall foliage. Come October, the beautiful islands sparkle in crimsons, reds, and oranges. Along the St. Lawrence River, you get the best location to spot wildlife in the area. You can go hiking in the amazing trails along the St. Lawrence River in Thousand Islands National Park

Laurentian Mountains, Quebec

Laurentian Mountains, in southern Quebec, display some of the best fall foliage in the region. The colour peak at the beginning of September and continue until the end of October. This area is famous for its autumn colours on sugar maple trees, American beech, and provincial yellow birch.

Corner Brook, Newfoundland & Labrador

Corner Brook is located on the west coast of Newfoundland. Corner Brook is a lovely sight to see from the end of September to the beginning of October due to its trees taking on various shades of red and orange for fall. Corner Brook is home to Canada’s iconic maple trees and is an amazing place to experience fall foliage.

Miscou Island, New Brunswick

Miscou Island is located 300 km east of Fredericton, in New Brunswick. Miscou Island has some truly remarkable and unique fall foliage displays. However, instead of trees, travellers flock here to see the peat bogs. These wetlands transfer from green to red during fall.

Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon

Yukon has its own unique beauty, particularly in its foliage. The Northwest Territory takes on spectacular hues of red, orange, and crimson during the fall foliage season. This is coupled with regular sightings of the northern lights, which add up to an amazing experience for travellers.

Mont-Tremblant, Quebec

Mont-Tremblant, in southern Quebec, is popular for its top ski resorts that people come to in winter. However, it is a great place to be in to see the best fall foliage in Canada. You can also do activities like horseback riding, mountain biking, and rock climbing, all while you enjoy the fall colors of maple and birch trees.

Goldstream Provincial Park, British Columbia

Goldstream Provincial Park is located just 17 km from Victoria on Vancouver Island. It is an old-growth temperate rainforest that has some of the most stunning fall foliage on Vancouver Island. You can see fall foliage in the whole month of October while witnessing the annual salmon run. It is where a large number of fish return to the Goldstream River to spawn

The Buchart Gardens, British Columbia

Visit the Buchart Gardens in British Columbia if you love flowers as much as you love forests. Its exact location is in Brentwood Bay, which is a 30-minute drive from Victoria on Vancouver Island. The Buchart Gardens are a great place to see the fall foliage. The Japanese Garden is the best place to view fall foliage from October to November.

Conclusion

Canada is full of natural landscapes and has so many places to see the fall foliage at its best. From Ontario to British Columbia and PEI, these are the best fall foliage in Canada. Make sure you don’t miss these beautiful views when you are in Canada in the fall.