Fall Colors in Eastern Canada: When and Where to See Them

For a few weeks each autumn, the maple forests of Ontario and Quebec turn red, orange and gold. It is one of the most beautiful seasons in North America and one of the most requested trips among our travelers.

When is the peak?

Colors change from north to south and from hills to valleys. As a general guide, the peak runs from late September to mid-October, a little earlier in the higher, more northern areas and later near the cities and the Great Lakes. Every year is slightly different, so we keep programs flexible by a few days.

Where to see them

• Algonquin Park, Ontario – lakes and endless forests, usually among the first to peak.
• The Laurentians, Quebec – rolling hills and villages north of Montreal, with the resort town of Mont-Tremblant.
• Mount Royal, Montreal – city views framed by maples, an easy addition to any Montreal day.
• Quebec City and Charlevoix – stone walls of the old city, Montmorency Falls and the St. Lawrence coastline.
• Niagara and Niagara-on-the-Lake – the falls, the Niagara Parkway and wine country, where autumn is harvest time.

Maple syrup and ice wine

Canada is famous for both. Maple syrup is made from maple sap collected in early spring, when sugar shacks open for traditional meals; in the fall you can still taste and buy it everywhere. Ice wine is made from grapes left on the vine until they freeze in winter, and the wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake offer tastings all year.

Plan ahead

Fall is the busiest season in Eastern Canada. Hotels in Quebec City and Niagara Falls fill early, so groups should confirm by spring for the coming autumn. Combining Canada with New York and Washington DC makes a classic 10-day program — see our East Coast USA & Canada itinerary.