Ontario Parks To Vist This Fall
See the season's most stunning display of colours
As the month of September approaches, the leaves on some of my neighbourhood trees are starting to change with a subtle blush of colour. These early signs of fall are always a thrill for me, as it makes me think of cozy sweaters, evening campfires, and the crisp mornings of my favourite season.
Starting in about mid-September, Ontario's forest will begin in earnest to turn orange, red, and golden yellow, a rich palette that (in my opinion) never lasts long enough. I like to make the most of the season by planning as many outdoor excursions into Ontario's beautiful forests as possible.
While the Algonquin Park region (along the Hwy 60 corridor) is extremely popular for fall-colour viewing, I prefer to find quieter areas to go on autumn hikes, picnics, and overnight camping trips.
If you're looking for a spot to plan a fall getaway or just want to get out for a day trip, here are six parks to visit in Ontario.
Lake Superior Provincial Park
If you're coming from southern Ontario, Lake Superior Provincial Park is not possible as a day trip -- but commit to spending a few days in this gorgeous park during the fall season and you'll have zero regrets. In fact, the drive from Sault Ste. Marie to Wawa -- which cuts through the park -- is one of the most scenic fall drives in the country.
River valleys, cliffs, beaches, and waterfalls can all be found in this magnificent park, which lies along the rugged coastline of the world's largest freshwater lake. The deep blue of Lake Superior only serves to underscore the reds, oranges, and yellows of the surrounding forested hills.
This year, the park's Rabbit Blanket campground has new extended fall camping season dates and will be operational until October 29th.
Killarney Provincial Park
There is so much to love about Killarney Provincial Park. If I lived closer, I would probably be hiking here every weekend. The park is spectacular in every season and autumn is no exception with the forests taking on all the usual vibrancy of fall. As there are many pines here as well, the park is a nice mix of colours all season long.
Set against the colours are the white quartzite ridges of the La Cloche Mountains and the rough pink granite of the Georgian Bay coast. In addition to great hiking trails, this park is the perfect place to canoe or kayak. There are more than 50 lakes scattered throughout.
Next to Killarney is Point Grondine Park, which is owned and operated by the Wikwemkoong Unceded Territory. You can purchase permits to hike, camp, or paddle on the land or book a guided nature or cultural tour through Wikwemikong Tourism.
Ferris Provincial Park
Ferris Provincial Park is best known for its 300-foot-long suspension bridge that hangs 30 feet over Ranney Gorge, but the park is also home to acres of tranquil forests that display a stunning array of oranges, yellows, and deep reds come autumn.
Located in Campbellford (approximately an hour east of Peterborough), Ferris has more than 10 km of trails and beautiful lookouts over the Trent River and Ranney Falls. The short Ranney Falls trail (1 km) will take you along the edge of the gorge where you'll find Chinquapin Oak trees growing, a relative rarity in Ontario. The trees turn a lovely shade of orange-brown in autumn.
Mikisew Provincial Park
Located just west of Algonquin Provincial Park, Mikisew shares much of the same landscape. Come late September, the park's forests are saturated with golden hues of yellow and orange.
Mikisew is a compact park, with a small campground and a nice sandy beach. It is a great park to bring your furry friend as there is a large off-leash dog area that includes access to the water.
Hikes here are short but scenic and you can paddle around the small islands on Eagle Lake (rentals available nearby).
Restoule Provincial Park
An hour north of Mikisew is a perennial fall favourite: Restoule Provincial Park. This is another great dog-friendly and family-friendly park and the fall colours come in every shade.
Come for the unbeatable views from the 100-metre-high Stormy Lake Bluffs and stay for the quiet and relaxed vibe this park offers. Hiking, paddling, and mountain biking are all popular activities and you can rent canoes, kayaks, SUP boards, and mountain bikes at the park.
Fishing is also popular, with a wide variety of fish including walleye, lake trout, large and smallmouth bass, musky, and whitefish.
Bon Echo Provincial Park
One of my first fall camping experiences was in Bon Echo Provincial Park, located in Cloyne about three hours northeast of Toronto.
The 100-metre-high Mazinaw Rock dominates the landscape and you can paddle up to it to view the incredible Indigenous pictographs (there are more than 250 of them) that attest to the history of this location.
In the fall, the park takes on beautiful colours and there are plenty of areas to hike and paddle. Although the park's signature route (the Abes and Essens Lake Trail) is closed this year due to storm damage, there are still several shorter trails that take you through scenic parts of the park.
The Cliff Top Trail takes you to the top of Mazinaw Rock (which is actually 200 metres tall, with half of its length submerged in Mazinaw Lake) but is only accessible by water. You can paddle there (rentals available) and then climb up the stairs and along a pathway to three observation decks. Mazinaw Rocks contains a unique ecosystem known as the cliff-top barrens, which supports nesting grounds for the Peregrine Falcon, a species at risk.
