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Ontario Fall Colours Progression Report

The following FALL COLOUR (COLOR) PROGRESSION REPORT is produced by the Ministry of Tourism, Barrie Travel Information Centre.The reports below have been modified to cover areas north of Toronto. For a complete report covering Southern Ontario fall colour changes Please visit Ontario Ministry of Tourism Colour Report. SEE fall photo gallery for fall colour pictures from areas north, north east, and north west of Toronto.

This is the report for Thursday, October 9, 2008

Northern Ontario Region

In the far north western region of Ontario the colours are excellent. The drive from Kenora to Minaki is offering pockets of red, orange and yellow and an 80% colour change . There is a 90% change in the Fort Frances region with areas of bright yellow. Highway 71 is a nice fall colour drive. The colours will peak in this area this weekend. The colour is at Peak in the Thunder Bay region. The colours are vibrant with bright yellow and orange and some small pockets of bright red. The ash and birch trees are all changing colour offering bright yellow and gold. You can enjoy the colour while taking in the hiking trails at Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park. Cascades Conservation Area has many nice walking trails right in Thunder Bay as well. The Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma region is now starting to see the colours fade. Colours are still very nice featuring burgundy, orange, gold and red with about 20% leaf fall. Keep in mind a great way to enjoy the colours in the Algoma region, is aboard the Agawa Canyon tour train. It is always best to book your tour and accommodation well in advance of your visit. The train runs through October 13th. There is a 80% colour change, with bright red and orange the dominant colours on Manitoulin Island with the colour advancing to close to a 80% change in the Sudbury area. The A.Y Jackson Lookout at Ramsey Lake is a great viewing location. The colour season is well underway in the North Bay region with a 80% colour change with bright red, orange and yellow being the dominant colours The colour is now well past peak with about 40% leaf fall in Temagami The remaining colours have faded. Killarney Provincial Park is starting to see some good pockets of colour with 80% colour change. The Granite Ridge hiking trail in Killarney Park is especially nice during the fall. The Algonquin Park area is area is an extremely popular fall colour destination. The highway 60 corridor is offering colour just past peak at this time. It continues to be a good time to tour the park. Dominant colours continue to be red, orange, burgundy and bright yellow. An ideal viewing location, during the fall colour season is the view from the observation deck at the world class Algonquin Park visitor centre. There are several hiking trails, with start points on Highway 60, that offer an outstanding fall colour experience including Track and Tower, Centennial Ridges, Booth’s Rock and Lookout Trail. Ragged Falls, just off highway 60 outside the west gate of Algonquin, also offers an ideal viewing location during the colour season.

Central Ontario Region

The colours will Peak in the Parry Sound region this weekend featuring vibrant red, golden yellows and burnt orange. Highways 141 and 124 are showing some excellent colour. The Muskoka area and across to the Haliburton region will also Peak with bright pockets of burgundy, red and orange. Ideal viewing locations are the fire tower lookout in Dorset and Lion’s Lookout in Huntsville. Highways 35, 117 and 118 always offer outstanding fall colour. The various boat cruises of the 30,000 islands and the beautiful Muskoka Lakes are a great way to enjoy the fall colour season. In the Kawartha Lakes region the colours have reached their Peak. Vibrant red, rust, yellow and deep orange are the dominant colours in the area. The Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls area and onto the Kinmount region always offer some nice fall colour touring. Highways 35 and 121, in this region are offering some very nice colour. There is a 70-80% colour change across the Barrie, Orillia, Midland area and over to Collingwood. The colours should peak the first of next week. During the fall colour season ideal viewing locations include the Horseshoe Valley region and at the top of Blue Mountain at Scenic Caves. The colours are advancing in the beautiful Hockley Valley region with a 70% colour change. The Airport Road area of the Hockley Valley region is always outstanding during the fall.

Ottawa Region

There colours have advanced quickly this week to a 90% colour change. The colours will Peak over this weekend. A walk or bike ride along the beautiful Rideau Canal is always a great way to enjoy the colours in Ottawa.

Eastern Ontario Region

In the Pembroke area the colours are just past peak with about 10% leaf fall. Highways 60, 62, 515,512, 514 and County Road 64 are still offering nice colour at this time. There is a 60% colour change in the Belleville region with the Loyalist Parkway, in Prince Edward County, a beautiful drive any time of the year but especially nice during the fall. The Taste and Art Trails, throughout the area are a great way to take in the colours of the region. The 1,000 island region is reporting a 50% colour change with the 1,000 Island Parkway offering nice pockets of burgundy, red and orange. The Brockville region to Prescott is reporting some nice pockets of colour as well and a 60% change. There is a 70% change now in the Cornwall region.

South-Western Ontario Region

The colour season has certainly advanced this week in the Owen Sound region with a 70% colour change. Ideal viewing locations, in this area, include Inglis Falls and Harrison Park. The Beaver Valley, Kimberley area is a very popular fall colour destination with the colours at Peak. Colours are bright orange and yellow. There are numerous lookouts along County Road 13 as you head north into the valley from County Road 4. The views are spectacular. The Elora Gorge area, near Fergus is always a great area for a fall colour hike. The area is offering an 80% change. The eastern shoreline of Lake Huron around Goderich is offering a 60% colour change with some beautiful pockets of colour and about 10% leaf fall. Further to the south west the Sarnia region is reporting a 40% change at this time, in particular the area along the St. Clair Parkway

Fall Colour Studio Tours, are a great way to enjoy autumn in Ontario. These tours allow you the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful fall colour throughout Ontario’s countryside while perhaps visiting the many artist and artisan studios. These are self guided, well signed driving tours that start and finish where you like. The following tours take place this Thanksgiving Holiday weekend of October 11th to the 13th.

• Haliburton County Studio Tour (Sat, Sun)
• Images Thanksgiving Studio Tour, Barrie through Orillia (Fri, Sat, Sun& Mon)
• Blue Mountain Art, 13th Annual Tour of the Arts, Thornbury, Meaford region (Sat, Sun & Mon)
• 10th Annual Escarpment Studio Tour, Grey County (Sat & Sun)
• 14th Annual Kinmount Thanksgiving Studio Tour (Sat & Sun)
• 15th Annual Artists Around the Sound Studio Tour, Owen Sound (Sat & Sun)
• Perth Autumn Studio Tour (Sat, Sun & Mon)
• Westport and Area Studio Tour (Sat, Sun & Mon)
  

Contact:
Jack Lynch
Travel Promotion Officer
Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership
Ontario Travel Centre, Barrie

Fall Road Trips and Drives

Algonquin Park Area Fall Colour (Color) Drives-Choice of 3 routes | Lake Simcoe-Round the Lake, Barrie, Orillia Fall Colours (Colours) | Georgian Bay Fall Colour Routes | Muskoka Fall Colour (Color) Road Trips | Barrie to Orangeville Fall colours (colors) Route | Haliburton - Huntsville Fall colours (colors) Route | Lake Simcoe Fall Colours (colors) Circle Tour | Lake Ontario Shores From Grafton to Picton (return) | Lakefield to Barry’s Fall colours (colors) Bay | North Bay to Timmins, Gogama, Sudbury, North Bay Fall Colors (Colours) | North Bay - Sudbury Fall Route colours (colors) | Peterborough - Kawarthas Fall Route colours (colors) | Sault Ste. Marie Fall Route colours (colors) | Sault Ste. Marie to Wawa Fall Route Colours (colors)

When will the peak fall colours arrive in 2008?

The answer can vary depending on the source of the destination, the amount of rain, the first frost, the temperature of nearby bodies of water, and the fullness of the foliage on the trees. See our FAQ's for the 2008 fall colour predictions.