Best places in Canada in Autumn

Autumn is a wonderful time to explore beautiful Canada from the last of the summer sun to the first of the winter snow. The spectacular scenery takes on a magical air as the trees come alive with colour - red, yellow, orange & gold as the leaves flutter like confetti. Here we explore the best places to go to soak up the magic & fall in love with Canada. 

The Laurentians, Québec 

In the Laurentian Mountains, just north of Montréal, the blazing reds & golds of the changing leaves showcase the very best of the autumn colours. Explore the mountains on foot, by mountain bike or enjoy the scenery from the water.

The local communities celebrate the season in style with markets, live music & art festivals. Visit a local orchard & pick your own apples, or visit a maple shack for a delicious sweet treat. 

Best for: Seasonal produce & fresh air 

Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario

This provincial park is only 3 hours from Toronto & offers a complete escape from the city. The sugar maples explode into scarlet, amber & gold by late September. Enjoy the great outdoors admiring the stunning colours, misty lakes & the fresh, crisp air. Keep an eye out for loons over the lakes & moose roaming the wetlands.

You can join a guided hike, rent a canoe or simply enjoy the silence with view of the blazing colours reflected in the still water. 

Best for: Autumn colours

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Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia

On Canada’s remote west coast, the Great Bear Rainforest is an incredible place to visit in autumn. The salmon run happens at this time of year where the salmon surge upriver which attracts the grizzly bears. They emerge to feed, creating one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife spectacles.

Stay in an Indigenous-owned eco-lodge, explore the fjords by boat, and watch bears from floating hides as bald eagles wheel overhead. It’s raw, humbling, and unforgettable.

Best for: Bear spotting 

Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

On Cape Breton island, autumn arrives with music in the air. The gorgeous Cabot Trail, one of the world’s great coastal drives, winds through dramatic cliffs, rust-coloured highlands, and forested valleys glowing in full autumn fire. Moose sightings are common. So are ceilidhs—traditional Gaelic gatherings of music and storytelling.

Explore Cape Breton National Park, enjoy a lobster roll with a sea view, and don’t miss the Celtic Colours International Festival, held each October to celebrate the island’s rich musical heritage. 

Best for: Culture

The Canadian Rockies 

There’s something majestic about the Canadian Rockies in autumn. The crowds have thinned, the air turns crisp, and golden larch trees light up the alpine valleys in a spectacular display of colour. It’s the perfect time to explore this iconic mountain range without the summer bustle.

Hike quiet trails in Banff or Yoho National Parks, spot elk during their dramatic rutting season, or take a scenic drive along the Icefields Parkway, one of the world’s most breathtaking routes.

In the mountain towns of  Jasper, Canmore & Golden, cosy cafés, artisan markets, and local breweries offer a warm  Canadian welcome. Don’t miss a soak in a natural hot springs as the leaves fall gently around you.

Best for: Dramatic scenery 

Spectacular Canada is truly magical in the autumn. From harvest festivals to wildlife spotting, from mountain walks to incredible seasonal cuisine, its a wonderful time to explore this amazing country. 

Planning a trip to Canada in autumn? Complete an enquiry form & let us help create your personalised holiday.