Muskoka Home to the Best Fall Colours in Ontario

Updated: November 1, 2024

Best in Canada – Autumn Fall Colours

If you needed any more reason to choose Muskoka as your leaf peeping destination! Aside from the stunning colours, Muskoka was praised for the fun and exciting ways to experience the fall colours, including boat cruises, helicopter tours, ATV tours, zip line excursions, and kayaking adventures.

Fall Colour Update

We are starting to see some small colour changes in leaves.

• Gravenhurst: Peaked 80% leaf fall
• Bracebridge: Peaked. 80% leaf fall
• Muskoka Lakes: Peaked – 80% leaf fall
• Huntsvilles: Peaked – 90% leaf fall
• Lake of Bays: Peaked – 90% leaf fall
• Algonquin Park: Peaked – 90% leaf fall – Bareness on branches – colour fading Seeing yellow
• Georgian Bay:  Peaked – 80% leaf fall

These dates are our best guess for when to see the fall colours this year. Please note, these are just educated guesses based on historical trends. There are many factors that affect when the fall colours will be best for viewing, and these conditions and dates may change slightly from year to year.

• Early fall colour viewing opportunities: September 22 – September 28
• Peak maple fall colour viewing opportunities: September 29 – October 10
• Peak golden encore fall colour viewing opportunities: October 11 – 20

If you plan on visiting Muskoka this fall, bookmark this page so you get the most up to date report.

Driving Tours:

Top Roads to Drive in the Fall:

• Muskoka Rd 17 from Gravenhurst to Bracebridge, you could stop at Muskoka Beach for a gorgeous view of Lake Muskoka, sections of the road are like a canopy.
• Hwy 117 to Baysville and Dorset, stop and walk along the river in the park.
• HWY 118 east Bracebridge to Hwy 35.
• Muskoka Rd 13 Severn Bridge to Torrance is a winding road, with lots of maple trees, stop and hike through the Torrance Barren.

Best Fall Lookouts:

• Lions Lookout in Huntsville – 100 Lions Lookout Point Rd, Huntsville
• Huckleberry Rock – 1057 Milford Bay Rd, Bracebridge.
• Dorset Lookout Tower – 1191 Dorset Scenic Tower Rd, Dorset.

Festival & Events:

• Cranberry Harvest until October 31st

Huntsville Fall Colour Report

Best places to view the fall colours:

• Big Bend Lookout and Stubbs Falls at Arrowhead Park
• Lion’s Lookout Trail (pictured above)

Fun ways to experience the fall colours

• Take a fall colour horse and wagon ride at Back of Beyond Equine Centre
• Bike rentals available at Algonquin Outfitters. Bicycle around town, or take the popular Fairy Vista Trail
• Visit Arrowhead Provincial Park for exceptional hiking, biking and canoeing
• Rent a canoe or kayak from Algonquin Outfitters in Downtown Huntsville and paddle the Muskoka River into one of the larger lakes. Walk to one of the downtown restaurants after your excursion for a bite to eat
• Try one of the many core brews at Canvas Brewing Company
  
• Enjoy a variety of Caesar’s at 1858 Caesar Bar
• Step into the past Muskoka Heritage Place, and get aboard the Portage Flyer Train for a magical ride
• Take the self-guided Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery tour, paying homage to the famous painters who found inspiration from surrounding areas
• See the colours from the tree canopies, as you zip line and complete aerial games at Treetop Trekking
• Golf at Huntsville Downs and Deerhurst Resort

Lake of Bays Fall Colour Report

Best places to view the fall colours:

• Oxtongue Rapids Park & Trail (pictured above)

Best ways to experience the fall colours:

• Take the Lake of Bays Scenic Drive, a Muskoka Signature Experience
• Golf or dine at the Historic Bigwin Island Golf Course and Marine Dining Room
• Take the popular Ragged Falls Canoe Trip, a three to four hour paddle offered by Algonquin Outfitters
• Try a tasty pint at Lake of Bays Brewing Co – try their Foghorn fall seasonal, only around for a limited time.
• Get up close and personal with nature and hiking at Echo Valley Nature Trail and Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve

Bracebridge Fall Colour Report

Best places to view the fall colours:

• Strawberry Bay Point Trail
• Bracebridge Bay Trail The 1.5 km trail follows the North Branch of the Muskoka River around the Bracebridge Bay. Access points: Bird Lane, Ecclestone Drive, Entrance Drive, King Street and Wharf Road. (pictured above)

Best ways to experience the fall colours:

• Rent a kayak, canoe, or SUP from Liv Outside, right on the Muskoka River. Take one of their popular paddle and waterfall adventures
• Muskoka Zip Lines and Aerial Park is open every weekend until Thanksgiving
• Enjoy a fall cruise aboard Muskoka Cruises.
• Explore one of the many waterfalls Bracebridge is renowned for
• One of the best spots for hiking is the Bracebridge Resource Management Centre, a spectacular woodland setting along the Muskoka River
• Golf at South Muskoka and Muskoka Highlands
• Stop in at Muskoka’s first craft brewery, Muskoka Brewery, sample the beer and take a tour. Try their signature brews, but also try out their fall seasonals including their Harvest Ale.

Gravenhurst Fall Colour Report

Best places to view the fall colours:

• Lookout Park
• Peninsula Trail

Best ways to experience the fall colours:

• Climb aboard the historic Muskoka Steamships for a fall cruise of the lakes (pictured above)
• Unique to Gravenhurst, visit the Tree Museum, an outdoor art exhibit that brings you up close and personal to the fall colours
• Commemorating 135 years of settlement in Ryde, the Ryde Barn Quilt Trail makes an adventure of leaf peeping, and the history behind the settlement will certainly be of interest
• Gravenhurst Farmers Market runs until October 9
• Sawdust City Brewery offers fall seasonal brews for that tasty pint
• Find a hiking trail around town and walk through the Muskoka back country.
• See the colours from the water by boat. Boat rentals are available at the Muskoka Wharf from Boat Rentals Canada
• Exceptional golf at Taboo or Muskoka Bay Club, two of Canada’s top ranked courses

Muskoka Lakes Fall Colour Report

Best places to view the fall colours:

• Huckleberry Rock Lookout 
• Hardy Lake Provincial Park

Best ways to experience the fall colours:

• The Cranberry Harvest is Muskoka’s largest fall celebration! Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery (pictured above) is your headquarters for this exciting time of year, with 3 tours daily, shopping, tasting, hiking, wagon tours and helicopter rides
• Stop in Torrance at the amber flashing light, Clear Lake Brewing Co. has cold beer, great food & entertainment.
• Take the all new self-guided driving tour, View the Lakes Muskoka Chair Tour
• Marvel in the colours from the lake aboard Sunset Cruises and Muskoka Cruises.
• Top hiking trails include Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery, Hardy Lake Provincial Park, and Huckleberry Rock Lookout

Georgian Bay Fall Colour Report

Best places to view the fall colours:

• Georgian Bay Islands National Park, Muskoka’s hidden gem and only National Park (pictured above)
• Big Chute Marine Railway overlooking Gloucester Pool is a lovely destination for picnic lunches
  

Best ways to experience the fall colours:

• Spend the day close to nature at Six Mile Lake Provincial Park. Hiking, canoeing, fishing and boating are all offered until October 
• Witness an engineering marvel at the Big Chute Marine Railway
• Go for a bike ride on Georgian Bay Island National Park. Rent a bike, or bring your own
• Watch the boats go in and out of the locks at Lock 45 of the historic Trent-Severn Waterway in Port Severn. Bring a picnic lunch or stop at one of Port Severn’s great waterfront restaurants
• Top hiking trails include the School House Walk, the Port Severn Walk, and the Georgian Bay Islands National Park

Stay and Play

Make the most of your Muskoka experience and check out our top recommendations for places to stay and perfect getaway packages.6