Fall in Canada is a season of transformation, where landscapes burst into vibrant hues of red, gold, and orange. From the towering mountains of the west to the gentle rolling hills of the east, each region offers its own unique autumn experience. Whether you’re drawn to the vivid colours of the Laurentian Mountains in Québec or the quiet beauty of the Yukon’s short but brilliant autumn season, there’s a spot for everyone to immerse themselves in the magic of the changing leaves. This guide will take you on a cross-country tour of the top spots to witness Canada’s breathtaking fall colours.

Yukon

Dawson City: Although brief, often peaking in late August, you can catch the changing birch, aspen, and willow trees along the Dempster Highway and in Tombstone Territorial Park.

British Columbia

Kamloops: Although a ski destination, visitors trek it out to Sun Peaks Resort in autumn for the brilliant colours displayed by its resident trembling aspens, maples, alders, and poplars.

Saanich: Thanks to flowers including chrysanthemums which begin to bloom in September and Japanese maples that turn into beautiful gold and crimson colours in October, leaf peepers can have two different fall experiences at the National Historic Site, Butchart Gardens.

Vancouver: Queen Elizabeth Park is home to a large variety of shrubs, flowers, plus coniferous and deciduous trees that become a rainbow of vibrant autumn hues in the fall.

Alberta

Banff: Larch Valley, a.k.a. the Valley of Gold, in Banff National Park bursts into every shade of citrus imaginable beginning in the middle of September. Enjoy the views aboard the Banff Gondola or on a lake cruise along Lake Minnewanka.

Calgary: Densely forested with aspen, balsam polar and willow trees, Edworthy Park on the city's west side transforms into a dramatic array of yellows and oranges that is set against the downtown skyline.

Elk Island National Park: Catch the aspen parkland foliage as it changes from green to a bright sea of yellows and oranges in late September.

Canmore: Whether it is on a hiking trail or a stroll along the Bow River, you'd be surrounded by the pyramidal canopies of larch trees with their gorgeous golden yellow soft needle-like leaves.

Saskatchewan

Prince Albert National Park: Encounter an explosion of vibrant colours in this preserved transition zone of mixed habitats that is set between the aspen parkland and boreal forest. The best area for golden yellow views is along Scenic Route (Highway #263), while it's peppered with green further north. For sweeping bird's-eye views of the changing landscape, climb up the viewing towers at the Height of Land and the start of the Spruce River Highlands Trail.

Saskatoon: Stroll under the changing canopies of Manitoban maples and box elders on one of Wanuskewin Heritage Park's walking trails.

Manitoba

Riding Mountain National Park: The park's birch trees reach peak fall foliage around the end of September which can be experienced on the floating boardwalks of the Ominik Marsh Trail or on horseback in the backcountry.

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Ontario

Sault Ste. Marie: Chug past the expansive aspen, birch and maple forests on the Agawa Canyon Tour Train as their leaves change colour near the end of September or hike up to nearby lookout points found along Ila's Loop on challenging Robertson Cliffs.

Muskoka Region: Not only has the rugged beauty of this cottage retreat that inspired works by the Group of Seven, but the celebrity hotspot explodes into rich and dazzling fall colours closer to October.

Rideau Heritage Route: Best viewed on drive from Smith Falls to Merrickville, the route from Kingston to Ottawa following the Rideau Canal is lined with bright red and orange maple and oak trees, plus yellow poplar trees from late September to early October.

Québec

Mont Tremblant: The Laurentian Mountains are set ablaze from mid-September to late October with the changing leaves of its sugar maple trees surrounding its pedestrian village, hiking and mountain biking trails, Lake Tremblant and beyond.

New Brunswick

Bay of Fundy: Views of the ebb and flow of some of the world's highest tides are enhanced by the brilliant flashes of the Acadian forest's autumn colours which are most intense around Canadian Thanksgiving weekend.

Miscou Island: Nearly half of this protected island on the Gulf of St. Lawrence is covered in peat bogs which turn scarlet red in the fall.

Nova Scotia

Cape Breton Island: Spectacular coastal views along the 298km long Cabot Trail get even more jaw-dropping when the leaves start turning. Stop at the lookouts on Smokey Mountain, North Mountain, and MacKenzie Mountain for photos or just to take it all in.

Wolfville: The end of September until late October is the best time for leaf peeping in the Annapolis Valley or from the Blomidon Look-Off on top of North Mountain that offers panoramic views of the trees and farmers' fields during harvest.

Prince Edward Island

Confederation Trail: Running across the province from Tignish to Elmira, you can walk or cycle along this 273-kilometre-long decommissioned railway line which is covered in warm jewel tones from September until the second week of October.

Newfoundland & Labrador

Corner Brook: See green coniferous trees pop against the bright birch and maple trees in this city on Newfoundland's west coast every autumn.

Humber Valley: A draw for many leaf peepers, the tree-covered Long Range Mountains boast of vibrant fall colours between late September to early October.