From the best time of year to where exactly in the park to go, here is a full guide on how to see the BEST fall colours in Algonquin Park this autumn.
Located about 3.5 hours from the famous Toronto, Algonquin Provincial Park is one of the best outdoor spaces to visit in Ontario. With 7,630 square kilometres (or 2,946 square miles) of land, Algonquin park is known for its abundance of wildlife and forest landscapes to explore. It is also a great summer camping destinations and contains dozens of excellent hiking trails.
Algonquin park also happens to be one of the best spots in Canada for seeing the beautiful fall colours. You’ll find the maple leaves lit up with bright reds, oranges and yellows, creating a sea of colour when viewed from above.
How you go about seeing the fall colours this autumn will depend on a few things. For one, there are a variety of factors that lead to the fall leaves changing when, where and how they do. There are some parts of the park that are significantly better for viewing the bright colours than others.
In this guide you’ll find everything you need to know to see the best fall colours in Algonquin park, including the best time of year, the best view points, and more.
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A Full Guide to Seeing Canada’s Best Fall Colours in Algonquin Park This Autumn
How to Visit Algonquin Park this Autumn
How to Enter Algonquin Park
Due to its large size, Algonquin actually has several gate entrances and access points spread throughout the park. The gate that you enter through determines which hikes and areas of the park you have access to.
The main gates are the West gate, the East gate, and the Sand Lake gate. Both the West and East gates provide access to highway 60. This is the main corridor highway that runs through the south portion of the park. The majority of the easy to access day use hikes are found along this corridor, making it the most popular section of Algonquin.
The gate that you enter through will depend on the direction you are approaching from and where exactly you’re wanting to go. If you are coming from Toronto and want to access several day hikes for example, then the West gate entrance is likely for you.
The Sand Lake gate entrance provides access to a much smaller portion of the park. It does have my favourite Algonquin hike, the Barron Canyon, however, is not where I recommend visiting for first timers and fall colour chasers.
Algonquin Park Day Pass Cost & Parking
To enter and park in Algonquin you do have to pay for a day pass. For entrances along highway 60, the cost is $21 per vehicle per day. For other entrances and access points it is $18. There are also discounts available for seniors and veterans.
Parking in Algonquin park is actually quite easy. There are parking lots located at each of the hiking trails and beaches. When entering the park, you will be given a map that highlights all the points of interest. The trails are marked along with the km marker to help you find them along the highway.
The Best Spots in Algonquin Park to See the Fall Colours
While the majority of Algonquin park is great for seeing the fall colours, there are some areas and specific hikes that are better than others. Certain parts of the park are more abundant with deciduous trees (the type of trees that change colours and shed their leaves), making them the better spots for viewing colours in the fall.
Other parts of the park are more filled with coniferous trees (those that don’t shed their leaves much). These spots are not good for seeing fall colours because they will mostly remain green. A good example of this is in the Barron Canyon hike. While this is my favourite hike in the park, there are almost no colour changes around the canyon.
The best gate entrances for seeing fall colours in Algonquin park are the West and East gates. There are 15 day use trails along highway 60 and all will provide an opportunity for seeing the fall leaves changing. Specifically, the best day hikes for seeing the fall colours are:
Centennial Ridges
Length: 10.5kms
Level of Difficulty: Medium difficulty
My favourite hike in the south part of the park, Centennial Ridges provides the perfect vantage points for seeing the best fall colours in Algonquin park. Three are numerous look out points with spectacular views high up above the tree tops. If you are able to complete this longer day hike, then I definitely recommend seeing the fall colours from here. It is also an excellent hike in itself, as it takes you up along cliff edges, on boardwalks over marshes, and through some stunning forest landscapes.
The Lookout Trail
Length: 1.9 kms
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Another amazing hike for seeing the beautiful fall colours in Algonquin park is the Lookout trail. If long 10km day hikes aren’t your thing then the lookout trail is an excellent shorter alternative. You’ll have a high view over the colourful tree tops and the hike is fun and easy.
The Spruce Boardwalk Trail
Length: 1.5 km
Level of Difficulty: Easy
The Spruce Boardwalk trail is a short gem of a hike. It takes you across a boardwalk through Algonquin wetlands with calm views of the bogs all around. In the fall, this is an excellent hike if you want to be directly immersed in the colours on the ground level. You’ll be surrounded by reds and oranges as you stroll through the forest.
Track and Tower Trail
Length: 7.5 km
Level of Difficulty: Medium
Another great trail for getting up high for views over the fall colours is the Track and Tower trail. If you are looking for an in between length between the Centennial Ridges or Lookout trail hikes, then this is a great option.
Driving Highway 60
Another great way to see the best fall colours in Algonquin park is by simply driving through it. Highway 60 will take you between the West and East gates of the park and is surrounded by gorgeous pops of colour. There are some lookout points along the road that you can stop to enjoy the views. Some of these viewpoints will provide you with amazing images of the lakes with the fall leaves reflecting in the water.
When to Visit to See the Fall Colours in Algonquin Park
On average, the best time of year to view the fall colours in Algonquin Park is between the end of September and mid-October. The leaves start to change in mid-September and last until the end of October really, but the peak time is when they are at their best.
The colours of the falling leaves can heavily depend on a few factors. These can include that years weather patterns, amount of precipitation, outside temperatures, etc. So while the average peak viewing time is usually the best time to go, it might vary slightly by year.
With the changing factors, it is good to double check the conditions for that year to determine when to go. You can do so by checking Ontario Park’s website. They provide full updates on the changing colours, including the status level of which portions of the park are experiencing peak colours and when.
Best Conditions for Viewing the Fall Colours in Algonquin Park
The best weather conditions for actually going to view the fall colours might surprise you. I always assume you’d want a bright sunny day. However, sometimes the best viewing conditions can be when it is overcast. A bright sunny day can actually dull the colours of the fall leaves in our eyes. Whereas, a darker cloudy sky provides a great contrast for the reds and oranges to shine.
Tips for Visiting Algonquin Park in the Fall
Just like you, there are tons of people who visit Algonquin Park every year to view the spectacular Canadian fall colours. As a result, I recommend keeping a few things in mind:
- Algonquin Park in the fall is going to be busy | To avoid some of the fall colour crowds, it is best to visit Algonquin Park during the week if possible. The weekend will bring a ton of other people.
- Book Your Parking Permit in Advance | If you have no choice but to visit during busy weekend times, then I recommend booking your parking permit in advance. The park does have a capacity and will turn people away if its reached. You can buy your ticket at least a couple days in advance here. It is also a good idea to buy it in advance so you don’t have to wait in any lines at the park entrances.
- Don’t Expect Good Phone Reception | The phone reception in Algonquin park can be shaky at times. Even in the busier portions of the park, it is not very reliable.
- Be Aware of Wildlife Safety | The fall season brings a change in wildlife behaviour that is important to be aware of. For moose, the fall brings mating season where male moose will have their full size polished antlers. Because of this, the moose are more aggressive. Black bears are also likely to be slightly more aggressive at this time of year as they search for food for the winter months. It is not something to scare you away from the park, especially in the busy portions where the animals are less likely to be around, but it is important to educate yourself in advance and take extra precautions.
- Don’t Litter and Respect the Park | Like every outdoor space, it is important to be respectful and pack out any garbage with you. It is the best way to maintain these beautiful outdoor spaces and with so many visitors it is important to do our part.
Final Thoughts on How to See the Best Fall Colours in Algonquin Park
One of the best spots to view the fall season colours in all of Canada is the beautiful Algonquin Park. With hiking trails that overlook the vibrant treetops, easy access points, and an abundance of changing leaves, you are sure to be blown away by Algonquin park this autumn.
Happy adventuring!
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