Where to See the Best Fall Colours in Toronto This Thanksgiving (2025)

Julie Anne
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The Thanksgiving long weekend is almost here, and it is the best time of year to see the fall colours before everything turns grey. The trees around Toronto and the GTA switch to bright reds, oranges, and yellows, making it a great time to get outside for a walk.

If you are looking for a good trail, we have a list of popular spots people are sharing online. So, grab a warm sweater and get ready to see some great autumn scenery.

Best Fall Colours Toronto: 10+ Hikes by TTC or Car (2025)

Hikes You Can Reach on the TTC

You don’t have to drive for hours to see good fall colours. There are plenty of spots right here in the 416.

Rouge National Urban Park

Best Fall Colours in Toronto
Photo via Ekaterina Menzhinskaya (@felixmencat) • Instagram

This is a huge national park that is actually inside Toronto’s borders. It has different types of trails, so you can pick one that works for you. You will feel like you have completely left the city.

High Park

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High Park is a Toronto favorite, and it looks great in the fall. The tall, old trees have amazing colours. You can walk the paths, see the animals at the free zoo, or just sit by Grenadier Pond and see the colours reflecting on the water.

Don River Valley Park (Evergreen Brick Works Trails)

Best Fall Colours in Toronto
Photo via Lilian Vega (@livega) • Instagram

The trails around Evergreen Brick Works are some of the easiest to get to in the city. The paths follow the Don River, and you get nice views of the colourful trees along the valley with the city skyline in the background.

  • Location: 550 Bayview Ave, Toronto
  • Good to Know: Easy trails, accessible by a shuttle from Broadview Station, paid parking.
  • Website: https://donrivervalleypark.ca

Scarborough Bluffs

The Bluffs are known for the cliff views over the lake, but the parks on top are full of fall colour. The mix of the red and yellow leaves against the blue water of Lake Ontario makes for some great photos. Just be sure to stay on the marked paths.

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Quick Drives from the City

If you have a car, these spots in the GTA offer some amazing views.

Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area

If you want that classic cliff-edge photo with a valley of colourful trees below, this is the place to go. The lookouts here in Milton offer huge, open views of the changing leaves. Arrive early, as it is a very popular spot.

Crawford Lake Conservation Area

Best Fall Colours in Toronto
Photo via Nazaneen (@nazaneen.b) • Instagram

Also in Milton, Crawford Lake is known for its rare, deep lake and a recreated Iroquoian Village. The easy boardwalk trail around the lake is a great place to see the fall colours reflecting in the still water.

Forks of the Credit Provincial Park

Best Fall Colours in Toronto
Photo via Part of @ig_shotz group (@ig_shotz_trees) • Instagram

This park near Caledon has rolling hills, a river, and a nice waterfall. In the fall, the whole area is full of colour, making it a favorite for photographers. The trails can be a bit hilly and challenging.

Hilton Falls Conservation Area

Hilton Falls is known for its 10-metre waterfall and the ruins of an old mill. The forest trails that lead to the falls are full of colour in the autumn. It is a good spot for an easy or moderate family hike.

Terra Cotta Conservation Area

This park in Halton Hills has a mix of trails that go through forests and past a lake. The fall colours reflecting on the water are a main highlight here. It is also a popular spot for bird watching.

Worth the Full Day Trip

If you are ready for a longer drive, these places offer some of the best fall scenery in Ontario.

Algonquin Provincial Park

Best Fall Colours in Toronto
Photo via Algonquin Provincial Park (@algonquin_pp) • Instagram

Algonquin is the most famous place in Ontario to see fall colours. It is about a 3-hour drive from Toronto, but the bright red maple leaves are worth it. Plan ahead and book your daily vehicle permit in advance, as it gets extremely busy.

  • Location: Whitney, ON (Highway 60 corridor)
  • Good to Know: All trail levels, daily permit must be booked online ahead of time.
  • Website: https://www.algonquinpark.on.ca

Dundas Peak (Spencer Gorge Conservation Area)

This spot near Hamilton is home to the famous Dundas Peak viewpoint. The view from the top looks over a huge valley of colourful trees. You must make a reservation online to visit during the fall, so book well in advance.

Scenic Caves Nature Adventures

Best Fall Colours in Toronto
Photo via Scenic Caves Nature Adventures (@sceniccavesnatureadventures) • Instagram

Near Blue Mountain, this spot offers a different way to see the leaves. You can walk across a 420-foot suspension bridge for an amazing view of Georgian Bay and the colourful forest below.

  • Location: 260 Scenic Caves Rd, The Blue Mountains
  • Good to Know: Entrance fee required, the suspension bridge is the main draw.
  • Website: https://sceniccaves.com

Hockley Valley Provincial Park

This park is a good choice for those who want a longer, more serious hike. It has rolling hills and thick forests that are full of colour in the fall and can be less crowded than other well-known parks.

Looking for Another Fall Activity?

A hike is a great way to spend a fall day. But if you are looking for another classic autumn activity for the long weekend, a trip to a pumpkin patch is always a good idea. We have a full list of the best spots to visit for pumpkins, corn mazes, and fresh apple cider donuts.

Check out our guide to The Best Pumpkin Patches in Toronto.

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Julie Anne Loquinario

Hey, it’s Julie! Powered by coffee and cuddles from my five feline overlords, I’m always hunting down the best cafés and restos in Toronto and the GTA. When I’m not indulging in my latest food obsession, you’ll find me binge-watching shows or dreaming up my next adventure.

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