EXPLORE THE FALL COLOURS
Image – Bear Lake Area
If you needed another reason to visit the Haliburton Highlands come visit during the fall season and enjoy the stunning colours.
There are so many ways to experience the majestic beauty of the Maple, Aspen & Tamarack as they transform the forest canopy into a blazing sea of red, orange and yellows. Try our many hiking trails, lookouts, a walk in the Clouds or by water on our water trails.
Fall Colour Update
| Colour Change | Leaf Fall | Date Reported | Comments | |
| Dorset Lookout Tower | 100% | 95% | Oct 28, 2024 | 55% colour change with all leaves having turned to red, orange, or brown – so far less green to see in the over-all view. Some of the reds have dropped. With the bright sunshine the 850 sq. km vista from the Tower and the many viewing points are spectacular… Advanced Tickets for Fall Colours |
| Algonquin Park | 100% | 90% | Oct 26, 2024 | There are spectacular viewing opportunities along the Highway 60 Corridor and the Park’s trails and day use areas. Obtain your daily vehicle permit up to five days in advance to guarantee your access to the park. Please use designated parking areas. Do not park on the side of the road, which is dangerous and illegal. To learn more, visit our blog: Fall Colours at Algonquin |
| Oxtongue Lake | 100% | 40% | Oct 14, 2024 | The entire length of the short trail leading to the top of the falls shows spectacular colours. The view from the top of the waterfalls is the best view. |
| Minden Village | 100% | 90% | Oct 30, 2024 | when the light shines the right way everything turns golden |
| Haliburton Village | 100% | 98% | Oct 30, 2024 | The golds and oranges look magical in the sunshine, but also add their own kind of sunshine to a cloudy day.. Haliburton Museum |
| Silent Lake | 100% | 90% | Oct 28, 2024 | Silent Lake has many beautiful scenic locations and hiking trails to view fall colours: Lakehead Loop (1.5 km), Bonnies Pond (3 km), and the Lakeshore Hiking Trail (15 km). These trails offer a variety of viewpoints such as a lookout, beaches, heavily forested areas, and many lakeside viewing areas. |
| Eagle Lake | 90% | 30% | Oct 9, 2024 | Colour is starting to pop, slowly & surely. This weekend should be even more beautiful than the last… Sir Sam’s Ski & Bike |
| South Gate Algonquin Park | 100% | 90% | Oct 30, 2024 | Lots of oranges and browns right now, the sugar maples and sumacs are popping lovely red! www.algonquinsouthgate.com Enjoy the colours on a stunning drive up Elephant Lake Road, by paddle up the York River or along the High Falls Hiking Trail! Compl. of Deep Roots Adventure |
| Wilberforce Village | 100% | 100% | Oct 30, 2024 | Gold and oranges adorn the hillsides now, but rare are the red maples |
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 14 – September 30
- Peak maple fall colour viewing opportunities: October 1 – October 12
- Peak golden encore fall colour viewing opportunities: October 13 – 21
Nothing like a road trip
Weather by car or motorcycle, enjoy the majestic views from the side of the road.
Dorset, Halls Lake & Oxtongue Area
Buttermilk Falls
Best places to view the fall colours:
- Dorset Scenic Lookout Tower
- Algonquin Provincial Park
- Haliburton Highlands Water Trails – Frost Centre
Best ways to experience the fall colours:
- Discover the Group of Seven at Oxtongue Lake
- See the colours from the water with boat rentals from Little Hawk Resort & Marina
- Get up close and personal with the roaring sound of water at Hawk Lake Log Chute
- Find this great lookout at the end of James Cooper Lookout Trail
- Take the popular Ragged Falls Canoe Trip, a three to four hour paddle offered by Algonquin Outfitters or try a guided canoe trip where you will discover the backcountry beauty of the Highlands with Yours Outdoors
Eagle Lake, West Guilford & Village of Haliburton Area
Haliburton Highlands Golf Course
Best places to view the fall colours:
Best ways to experience the fall colours:
- Take a walk in the clouds at Haliburton Forest and be one with the fall canopy, and while you are there, check out the Wolf Centre
- One of the best spots for hiking is the Haliburton Sculpture Forest, a unique outdoor collection of sculptures located in the forest of Glebe Park
- Golf at the Haliburton Highlands Golf Club and enjoy the scenic grounds and don’t forget the Pinestone Resort and Lakeside Golf Club
- Discover local artists at the Rails End Gallery or the Ethel Curry Gallery and find something to take home with you
- The Haliburton Farmer’s Market runs every Tuesday, 12pm to 4pm, until Thanksgiving weekend
Gooderham, Harcourt & Village of Wilberforce area
Silent Lake Provincial Park
Best places to view the fall colours:
Best ways to experience the fall colours:
- With over 70 lake & over 30 public water access points you can find someway to go every day during this fall season, just ask Deep Roots Adventure
- Still time to create family memories while searching for treasure, learn more about Geocaching Capital of Canada
- Two of the best spots for satisfying your hunger are South Algonquin Dinner in Wilberforce and Algonquin Cookhouse in Harcourt
- Experience a guided shamanic journey which combines the outer natural landscape of lush forests & waterfalls with our inner landscaper at Spirit of the Waterfall
- Explore the rich minerals deposits, unique geological features, and rugged autumn landscapes of the area while enjoying the great hospitality and fine folk of the Highlands
- If you are driving around looking at the colours why not see if you can find these four ghost towns
Village of Minden & surrounding Area
Panorama Park – Lookout
Best places to view the fall colours:
Best ways to experience the fall colours:
- Unique to the world, visit the Minden Hills Cultural Centre and find the Art, History and Nature that tells a story and has a large Andre Lapine collection…
- Minden Farmer’s Market runs every Saturday 10am to 2pm until Thanksgiving Weekend
- Find a Walking trail around town and discover a boardwalk in the middle of the village that takes you through a beautiful wetland
- Exceptional golf at Gull River Golf Club or Blairhampton, two of the area’s top courses
- See the colours from the water. Kayak and SUP board rentals are available at Algonquin Outfitters & AO Boatwerks while you try for hand on the quiet Gull river through town or the adventure of the Minden Whitewater Preserve
We can fix your hunger while you are visiting
Many of our local restaurants and kitchens have delicious options for taking-out, dining-in and enjoying a patio.
With the fall season also here that means it is harvest season… be sure to visit one of our local marketsplaces.
Also check out our Feast ON certified restaurant, as well as our 2 local Breweries, you’re going to be amazed…
Why not stay overnight and be able to see more of the highlands
Create your own oasis away from the hustle-and-bustle and safely enjoy the space & freedom the Haliburton Highlands has to offer. Enjoy a truly Canadian cottage experience throughout our vast region at one of our many places to stay.
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