Fall in Ontario

Every year starting in September, we get many calls asking when the leaves will be changing. Once the kids are in school, the days are getting shorter and the nights are cooler. Fall is on its way.

While summer is probably the busiest tourist season in Ontario’s Sunset Country, fall can be a spectacular time to travel. There are fewer bugs, it’s less busy, and once the leaves start to change colours, it's even more beautiful.

I’m not sure if this is something new, but I recently happened upon this website. Ontario Parks has a great map of the change in the colour of the leaves. Check out the map to see when the leaves are changing in the area of Ontario you plan to visit. 

There are many things to do during the fall in Sunset Country: go on a fall hike, combine a fall fishing trip with a hunting trip, or you can even go canoeing to see some of the most beautiful fall colours reflecting against the water. The easily accessible waterfalls in Sunset Country would also be something to see in the fall during a road trip. 

One of my favourite things to do is put on a nice warm sweater and head outside for a walk. Try out one of the many hiking trails in the area: 

Atikokan Trails

Atikokan Trail: A trail that will take you through the streets of Atikokan.  Quetico Hiking Trails: There are seven trails accessible throughout the Dawson Trail Campground. You can also explore the Charleson Recreation Area by foot, mountain bike or even horseback. 

Dryden Trails

There are many hiking and biking trails in Dryden, Ontario. There’s the Laura Howe Marsh Trail, the trails in Aaron Park or Blue Lake Park, Ghost Lake Biking & Hiking Trails, or the City of Dryden Trail System.

Ear Falls Trails

Hike the trail at Pakwash Park on Highway 105. This 5-km, moderate trail takes you past a beaver pond and through the woods. 

Kenora Trails

There are many recreational trails in Kenora. You can hike trails such as the Rat Portage Urban Trail, the accessible and paved Rabbit Lake Trail System, Mink Bay Trail, Tunnel Island Trails, Vernon Nature Trails, and the Kenora Nordic Trails. Trails can also be found nearby in Minaki and Rushing River Park. 

Fort Frances Trails

Take a leisurely fall stroll on LaVerendrye Parkway along the Rainy River in Fort Frances. The two-mile cobblestone walkway stretches from the Sorting Gap Marina to Point Park. You’ll pass the Lookout Tower. Climb the 100-foot tower for a great view of Rainy River, Rainy Lake, and Fort Frances. 

Ignace Trails

There are three moderate hiking trails in Sandbar Park that range from 0.5 km-4 km. The Lily Pad Lake Trails are located in Ignace near Agimak Beach.

Kakabeka Falls Trails

There are six hiking trails in Kakabeka Provincial Park. They range from easy, wheelchair-accessible trails to moderate and difficult trails.

Nestor Falls Trails

Hike the Red Pine Trails (30-90 minutes depending on the loops walked) or the Boreal Trails (45-70 minutes) in Nestor Falls. View a map of the hiking trails here.

Sioux Lookout Trails

One of the longest, accessible trails in the area is the Umfreville Trail in Sioux Lookout. It’s a 4-km paved recreational trail used for jogging, walking, biking & wheelchair traffic. Walk the interpretive trail, the Flora of Cedar Bay where 10 marked posts along the trail identify the locations of matching herbs, shrubs and trees.

Sioux Narrows Trails

Hike the Aspen Trails in Sioux Narrows. These varied trails offer the chance to see beautiful vistas over Lake of the Woods. 

Vermilion Bay Trails

Blue Lake Park has four maintained hiking trails from 1-11 km. For a full-day hike, try the Goblin Lake Trail which follows the edge of Goblin Lake and takes you through the boreal forest. Walk the Pine Tree Pathways Trails starting at the waterfront on Eagle Lake in Vermilion Bay and continuing to Fort Vermilion where you’ll have 2 km of trails north of Highway 17. 

Of course, you can also take a good old road trip to see all the fall colours!

Edited Body Text

Every year starting in September, we get many calls asking when the leaves will be changing. Once the kids are in school, the days are getting shorter and the nights are cooler. Fall is on its way.

While summer is probably the busiest tourist season in Ontario’s Sunset Country, fall can be a spectacular time to travel. There are fewer bugs, it’s less busy, and once the leaves start to change colours, it's even more beautiful.

I’m not sure if this is something new, but I recently happened upon this website. Ontario Parks has a great map of the change in the colour of the leaves. Check out the map to see when the leaves are changing in the area of Ontario you plan to visit. 

There are many things to do during the fall in Sunset Country: go on a fall hike, combine a fall fishing trip with a hunting trip, or you can even go canoeing to see some of the most beautiful fall colours reflecting against the water. The easily accessible waterfalls in Sunset Country would also be something to see in the fall during a road trip. 

One of my favourite things to do is put on a nice warm sweater and head outside for a walk. Try out one of the many hiking trails in the area: 

Atikokan Trails

Atikokan Trail: A trail that will take you through the streets of Atikokan.  Quetico Hiking Trails: There are seven trails accessible throughout the Dawson Trail Campground. You can also explore the Charleson Recreation Area by foot, mountain bike or even horseback. 

Dryden Trails

There are many hiking and biking trails in Dryden, Ontario. There’s the Laura Howe Marsh Trail, the trails in Aaron Park or Blue Lake Park, Ghost Lake Biking & Hiking Trails, or the City of Dryden Trail System.

Ear Falls Trails

Hike the trail at Pakwash Park on Highway 105. This 5-km, moderate trail takes you past a beaver pond and through the woods. 

Kenora Trails

There are many recreational trails in Kenora. You can hike trails such as the Rat Portage Urban Trail, the accessible and paved Rabbit Lake Trail System, Mink Bay Trail, Tunnel Island Trails, Vernon Nature Trails, and the Kenora Nordic Trails. Trails can also be found nearby in Minaki and Rushing River Park. 

Fort Frances Trails

Take a leisurely fall stroll on LaVerendrye Parkway along the Rainy River in Fort Frances. The two-mile cobblestone walkway stretches from the Sorting Gap Marina to Point Park. You’ll pass the Lookout Tower. Climb the 100-foot tower for a great view of Rainy River, Rainy Lake, and Fort Frances. 

Ignace Trails

There are three moderate hiking trails in Sandbar Park that range from 0.5 km-4 km. The Lily Pad Lake Trails are located in Ignace near Agimak Beach.

Kakabeka Falls Trails

There are six hiking trails in Kakabeka Provincial Park. They range from easy, wheelchair-accessible trails to moderate and difficult trails.

Nestor Falls Trails

Hike the Red Pine Trails (30-90 minutes depending on the loops walked) or the Boreal Trails (45-70 minutes) in Nestor Falls. View a map of the hiking trails here.

Sioux Lookout Trails

One of the longest, accessible trails in the area is the Umfreville Trail in Sioux Lookout. It’s a 4-km paved recreational trail used for jogging, walking, biking & wheelchair traffic. Walk the interpretive trail, the Flora of Cedar Bay where 10 marked posts along the trail identify the locations of matching herbs, shrubs and trees.

Sioux Narrows Trails

Hike the Aspen Trails in Sioux Narrows. These varied trails offer the chance to see beautiful vistas over Lake of the Woods. 

Vermilion Bay Trails

Blue Lake Park has four maintained hiking trails from 1-11 km. For a full-day hike, try the Goblin Lake Trail which follows the edge of Goblin Lake and takes you through the boreal forest. Walk the Pine Tree Pathways Trails starting at the waterfront on Eagle Lake in Vermilion Bay and continuing to Fort Vermilion where you’ll have 2 km of trails north of Highway 17. 

Of course, you can also take a good old road trip to see all the fall colours!