Here are the fall colours in Canada, chosen for Canadian travellers. Fall colours blaze across Canada from late September.
Fall colours in Canada
1. Mont-Tremblant
Mont-Tremblant is a colourful pedestrian ski village in the Laurentians, popular year-round for skiing, lakes and fall colours. Read our Mont-Tremblant travel guide.
- Best time: December to March; late September to early October for colours
- Getting there: About 1.5–2 hours from Montreal
- Don’t miss: Tremblant ski resort, Pedestrian village and Mont-Tremblant National Park
- Mid-range hotels: C$320–550 a night
2. Algonquin Provincial Park
Algonquin is Ontario’s iconic park of lakes, moose and canoe routes, about three hours from Toronto. Read our Algonquin Provincial Park travel guide.
- Best time: June to October
- Getting there: About 3 hours from Toronto
- Don’t miss: Highway 60 corridor, Canoe routes and Moose spotting
- Mid-range hotels: C$170–280 a night
3. Muskoka
Muskoka is Ontario’s cottage country, a land of lakes, resorts and fall colours two hours north of Toronto. Read our Muskoka travel guide.
- Best time: June to September; late September to early October
- Getting there: About 2 hours from Toronto
- Don’t miss: Lake Muskoka, Dorset Lookout Tower and Port Carling
- Mid-range hotels: C$320–550 a night
4. Cape Breton Island (Cabot Trail)
Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail is a 298 km loop of coastal highlands, Celtic music and whale watching, one of the world’s great drives. Read our Cape Breton Island (Cabot Trail) travel guide.
- Best time: July to mid-October
- Getting there: About 4.5 hours from Halifax to Baddeck
- Don’t miss: Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Highlands National Park and Skyline Trail
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
Hit the road prepared
- Dash cams worth buying VerdictFox
Record scenic drives and protect yourself if something happens on the highway. - Best budget 12V portable fridges VerdictFox
Keep drinks and picnic food cold on long road trips without buying ice every day. - Best portable power stations VerdictFox
Run a cooler, charge cameras and power a CPAP at campsites without hookups.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
5. Charlevoix
Charlevoix is a UNESCO biosphere region of rolling hills along the St. Lawrence, known for food, art and the Train de Charlevoix. Read our Charlevoix travel guide.
- Best time: June to October
- Getting there: About 1–1.5 hours from Quebec City
- Don’t miss: Baie-Saint-Paul, Le Massif and Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
6. Banff
Banff is Canada’s first national park (1885) and its most famous mountain town, surrounded by turquoise lakes, hot springs, wildlife and the peaks of the Rockies. Read our Banff travel guide.
- Best time: June to September for lakes and hiking; December to March for skiing
- Getting there: About 1.5 hours from Calgary; 3.5–4 hours from Jasper via the Icefields Parkway
- Don’t miss: Moraine Lake, Banff Gondola and Banff Upper Hot Springs
- Mid-range hotels: C$320–550 a night
7. Ottawa
Ottawa, Canada’s capital, combines Parliament Hill, national museums, the Rideau Canal and a bilingual atmosphere. Read our Ottawa travel guide.
- Best time: May to October; February for Winterlude
- Getting there: About 2 hours from Montreal; 4.5 hours from Toronto
- Don’t miss: Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal and National Gallery of Canada
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
8. Quebec City
Quebec City is the only walled city north of Mexico, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with French charm, the Château Frontenac and a famous winter carnival. Read our Quebec City travel guide.
- Best time: June to October; February for Carnival; December for Christmas
- Getting there: About 3 hours from Montreal
- Don’t miss: Old Quebec, Château Frontenac and Petit-Champlain
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
9. Eastern Townships, Quebec
Vineyards and maples.
10. Agawa Canyon, Ontario
Train tour.
Timing
Quebec and Ontario peak late September to mid-October; larches in the Rockies peak mid-to-late September.
How to choose
Start with when you can travel and how you like to spend your days. Some destinations on this list shine in summer, others in shoulder season; some suit active travellers, others are made for slow days and good food. Pick one or two that match your style rather than trying to see everything, and read the linked guides for timing, costs and where to stay.
How we chose
We picked destinations that consistently impress first-time and returning visitors, balanced famous names with lesser-known gems, and considered access, value, seasonality and the quality of the experience on the ground. Prices, opening dates and reservation rules change, so confirm the details before booking.
Planning tips for your trip
- ID for flights: Domestic flights require government-issued photo ID; carry a passport if you might cross into the US.
- Money: GST or HST is added to most prices at the till, so budget 5–15% more than the shelf price; tipping 15–20% at restaurants is standard.
- Insurance: Provincial health plans may not pay the full cost of care in another province, and ambulance and air-ambulance costs can be high, so check whether an out-of-province travel insurance policy makes sense for you. Read our guide to out-of-province travel insurance.
- Driving: Most Canadians road-trip in their own car; rentals are widely available, and winter tyres are required on many BC highways and in Quebec in winter. Fuel is usually cheapest in Alberta and most expensive in BC and the North.
- Saving money: see our Canada budget travel and cheapest places to travel in Canada guides.
What a trip costs
Typical spending per person per day, excluding flights:
| Travel style | Per person per day | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | C$150–C$220 | motel, hostel or campsite, casual meals, self-drive |
| Mid-range | C$300–C$480 | good hotel, restaurant meals, some tours |
| Luxury | C$700–C$1,400 | resort or historic hotel, fine dining, guided experiences |
Prices rise in peak season and on holiday weekends, and fall sharply in the shoulder seasons.
Travelling responsibly
Follow Leave No Trace principles: stay on marked trails, pack out everything you bring in, and never feed wildlife. Support locally owned restaurants, guides and shops, and visit popular places early or late to spread out the crowds. In busy parks, use shuttles where they exist to cut traffic and parking pressure.
Safety basics
Carry water and layers on outdoor outings, check weather and road conditions before long drives, and tell someone your plans in remote areas, where mobile coverage can be patchy. In cities, use normal precautions with valuables at night. The emergency number is 911.
Tech that makes the trip easier
- Best phones and wearables for travel Buyzello
Phones with great cameras and wearables that track your hikes. - Outdoor gear reviews VerdictFox
Honest reviews of the camping and outdoor kit worth packing.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best choice on this list?
It depends on your travel style, but Mont-Tremblant is a standout for most travellers.
When should I go?
Most of these destinations are best in spring and fall, when crowds are lighter and prices lower.
How many days do I need?
Plan at least two to three days per destination.
Are these good for families?
Most are; check each guide for family tips.
How much should I budget?
Mid-range travellers typically spend C$300–C$480 per person per day.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Mont-Tremblant Travel Guide: Skiing, Fall Colours and Spas
- Algonquin Park Travel Guide: Canoeing, Camping and Moose
- Muskoka Travel Guide: Lakes, Cottages and Fall Colours
- Cape Breton Travel Guide: Cabot Trail, Highlands and Celtic Music
- How to Travel Canada on a Budget: 25 Money-Saving Tips