When does Fall start in Canada?

The Fall equinox — the first day of Fall — is usually September 22 or 23. Leaves can begin to change colour before that date, depending on the weather.

What are Fall colours?

Fall colours is the seasonal change of the leaves of certain deciduous trees from green to various shades of yellow, orange, red, purple, and brown.

How long do Fall leaves last?

Leaves start changing colour in mid-September and can last until early November.

What are the Fall months in Canada?

Fall starts in September and goes through to November. While Winter doesn't officially start until December 21, December is considered a Winter month.

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Fall Foliage Tours in Canada

The fall season in Canada is brief but amazing. The chaos of the summer crowds is winding down and the air has that crisp, fall energy. For a short time, you can witness the leaves change to shades of reds, oranges, and yellows before they flutter to the ground. In Eastern Canada, discover the rich bursts of colour reflected in the calm surface of the many lakes of Ontario or in the St. Lawrence River in Quebec. In the Canadian Rockies, see the contrast of the changing leaves against the blue cloudless sky and the snow-capped mountainous peaks. Choose from our many Canada vacation packages that feature this spectacular natural occurrence and discover why the fall season is so breathtaking.

Best Fall Foliage Trips Recommended For You

Some of our best fall foliage tours, which you can personalize with the help of our Canadian travel experts.

Train traveling through a small town surrounded by trees with Fall colours.

Eastern Rail Classic

Experience a Canadian fall colour train tour. This trip takes you through bilingual Montreal, historic Quebec City, and coastal Halifax – all in just over a week. Travel between each destination by train, sitting in comfort as you watch the fall colours pass by. Experience an overnight train journey to Canada’s Atlantic coast, awakening to the scent of salt-filled air and the sound of seagulls. Along the way, we’ll pair you up with insider tour guides on your choice of activity, so you don’t miss a thing.

Hikers in the autumn trees in Larch Valley at Sentinel Pass in Banff National Park

Canadian Rockies Discovery Tour

Discover fall colours in the Canadian Rockies on a week-long independent vacation. See Lake Louise, Banff and Jasper National Parks, while you enjoy your choice of guided activities including an optional train journey past Mount Robson, the highest point in the Canadian Rockies. Everything is pre-planned, including transfers, the best Canadian Rockies hotels, and unique tours. Choose from sightseeing, wildlife viewing, train experiences, guided hikes, and more.

Old Quebec City street on quiet afternoon. Chateau Frontenac in background

Montreal and Quebec City Getaway

The cities of Montreal and Quebec are especially stunning when dressed in fall colours. This exciting five-day trip combines cosmopolitan Montreal with elegant and historic Quebec City – two of French Canada’s largest cities. Start with two days in Montreal before boarding The Corridor train to Quebec City, where you will explore the cobblestone streets for another two days. This journey is the best way to get a taste of the culture and scenery of French Canada.

Best Places to See Fall Foliage in Canada

Every September, Canada's trees put on a show, changing from summer greens to the distinctive red, orange and gold of autumn. The travel experts at Fresh Tracks Canada have compiled a list of some of the best places to visit in the fall.

Canadian Rockies

The Canadian Rockies doesn't get the flaming golds of Eastern Canada, but its distintive larch trees turn a stunning shade of gold. On a train ride, a hike or a sight-seeing tour, watch the pine-covered mountainsides for the dramatic contrast between the dark green pine and the golden lines of the larch.

Best time to go: Fall is a short season in the Rockies. Visit in late September to early October for peak colour.

Expert travel tip: Take a tour along the Icefields Parkway for fall colours in the mountain valleys, plus glaciers!

Niagara Region

One of Canada's most popular tourist areas is Niagara, because of its famous waterfall. It's especially worth a visit in the fall, when the abundant trees in the region begin their seasonal transformation, displaying stunning shades of crimson, orange and gold.

Best time to go: Peak colour is usually between late September and late October.

Expert travel tip: The Niagara area is the perfect excursion during a trip to Toronto. Take a private tour of its wineries as you enjoy the fall foliage.

Houses are shown in between splashes of bright red Fall foliage

Montreal skyline during the day from Mont Royal, fall colours

Quebec

Canada's famous maple trees are abundant in Quebec. They turn a wonderful shade of crimson, a must-see Fall experience. The fiery foliage in Quebec will have you reaching for your camera again and again. Best of all, you can see the colours in the countryside or in the cities of Montreal and Quebec City.

Best time to go: Peak colour usually happens between late September and late October.

Expert travel tip: Explore the expansive urban parks in both Montreal and Quebec City for a tranquil autumn day in the city.

Nova Scotia

In Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Highlands National Park’s must be seen in autumn, when its blanket of trees display shades of red, orange and gold. There's something very special about the contrast between the bright fall foliage and the dark blue of the Atlantic Ocean.

Best time to go: The seasons can be variable this close to the ocean. Peak colour is usually between early September and mid October.

Expert travel tip: Plan to hike some of the park's trails for amazing views and fall colours. Your travel advisor at Fresh Tracks Canada can arrange a guided hike.

Images of Fall Leaves

The fall leaf tours at Fresh Tracks Canada will give you lots of opportunites to see the stunning autumn colours across Canada. Here are some of the sights along the way.

Parliament Hill in fall form the river, Ottawa

Fall colours on Parliament Hill in Ottawa

The Prince of Wales Hotel on Waterton Lakes in fall

Waterton Lake in the Rockies in the fall

Fall colours in Mont Tremblant, Quebec

An autumn hike in the Laurentians in Quebec

View across the river to autumn in Quebec City

Autumn colours in Quebec City

Fall colours in Quidi Vidi Village in Newfoundland

More information on Fall trips

Questions about Fall or Fall Foliage trips and don't see your answer here? Get in touch with one of our travel experts.

Frequently Asked Questions

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VIA Rail train coming through the green forest in the Rocky Mountains

Canadian Train Vacations

Polar bears walk by a Tundra Buggy vehicle for going over ice

Canada Polar Bears

Northern Lights Canada

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Fall Foliage Tours in Canada

Best Fall Foliage Trips Recommended For You

Some of our best fall foliage tours, which you can personalize with the help of our Canadian travel experts.

Eastern Rail Classic

Canadian Rockies Discovery Tour

Montreal and Quebec City Getaway

Best Places to See Fall Foliage in Canada

Canadian Rockies

Best time to go: Fall is a short season in the Rockies. Visit in late September to early October for peak colour.

Expert travel tip: Take a tour along the Icefields Parkway for fall colours in the mountain valleys, plus glaciers!

Niagara Region

Best time to go: Peak colour is usually between late September and late October.

Expert travel tip: The Niagara area is the perfect excursion during a trip to Toronto. Take a private tour of its wineries as you enjoy the fall foliage.

Quebec

Best time to go: Peak colour usually happens between late September and late October.

Expert travel tip: Explore the expansive urban parks in both Montreal and Quebec City for a tranquil autumn day in the city.

Nova Scotia

Best time to go: The seasons can be variable this close to the ocean. Peak colour is usually between early September and mid October.

Expert travel tip: Plan to hike some of the park's trails for amazing views and fall colours. Your travel advisor at Fresh Tracks Canada can arrange a guided hike.

Images of Fall Leaves

The fall leaf tours at Fresh Tracks Canada will give you lots of opportunites to see the stunning autumn colours across Canada. Here are some of the sights along the way.

Fall colours on Parliament Hill in Ottawa

Waterton Lake in the Rockies in the fall

Fall colours in Mont Tremblant, Quebec

An autumn hike in the Laurentians in Quebec

Autumn colours in Quebec City

Fall colours in Quidi Vidi Village in Newfoundland

More information on Fall trips

Questions about Fall or Fall Foliage trips and don't see your answer here? Get in touch with one of our travel experts.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Us Our brands Reviews News Who we work with Travel Partners Careers Peace of mind Contact us

Canadian Train Vacations

Canada Polar Bears

Northern Lights Canada

| |