Here’s when and where to see fall colours in Ontario
Published October 1, 2024 at 1:37 pm
The fall colours for 2024 in Ontario may not be quite as vibrant as in previous years but there is still a chance to see autumn leaves.
The hot and humid summer with a few days of very heavy rainfall has been stressful for trees, experts said.
The stressors were likely why some trees changed colour early this year, Alison Morrison, the University of Guelph Arboretum manager and certified arborist told the Weather Network. The early start could make the fall colour change not as spectacular as in previous years.
Nevertheless, fall colours have started to reach peak in some parts of Ontario.
In Algonquin Park, the main part of the forest, dominated by sugar maples, is showing a yellow-orange-brown colour, Friends of Algonquin Park said in their fall colour report on Sept. 30.
“A visit to Algonquin Park this week and weekend will offer the widest variety of fall colour viewing as multiple tree species continue their fall change colour,” the report said.
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People will need to make reservations for a day-use permit during the fall season in Algonquin due to an increase in visitors at this time of year.
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In other parts of the province, parks are in various stages of fall colours.
Parks north of Peterborough such as Lake St. Peter, Petroglyphs and Silent Lake are reaching peak colour, according to the Ontario Parks Fall Colour report.
Eastern Ontario parks such as Frontenac and Charleston Lake are also reaching peak colour. While parks closer to Ottawa such as Rideau River and Fitzroy are mostly green and still a few weeks away from prime viewing.
Darlington Park near Oshawa was showing mostly red/orange leaves earlier this week.
Southern Ontario parks such as Bronte Creek and Forks of the Credit were starting to turn this week but may be closer to peak around Thanksgiving weekend.
The Pinery in western Ontario was still mostly green as of late September.
So, those who want to see fall colours this weekend will likely want to head north.
Mid-to-late October might be a better time to see colours in the southern part of the province.
For more information see the Ontario Parks Fall Colour report here.
Lead photo of Algonquin Park, Centennial Ridges in 2023: Karen Longwell
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