Ontario, Canada fall adventure road trip ideas

Thunder Bay area

Ontario’s northernmost big city awaits—Thunder Bay.

The city straddles the boreal forest transition, where hardwood forests gradually blend into spruce and aspen stands. On an autumn day, watch the fiery reds and oranges gradually melt into a sea of deep green and gold.

Stay in Thunder Bay and use its central location as a base camp for the following day trips, or enjoy shoulder-season camping at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park before its closing date of October 15.

We’ve crafted a four-day itinerary to maximize your time in the Bay.

Day one

Stretch your legs on a hike to the Top of the Sleeping Giant.

This trail is a full-day trip, but the view of the turning colors against Lake Superior’s vast expanse is well worth it.

Day two

Rest your legs, but don’t skimp on the adventure. If conditions allow on Lake Superior, join one of Sail Superior’s Zodiac tours for up to a full day to explore some of the islands and scenery on the greatest of the Great Lake.

Back on land, enjoy a pint and a bite at Lakehead Beer Company, featuring Tomlin Subdivision’s loaded Detroit-style pizza.

Day three

Drive east to the village of Dorion, Ontario’s canyon country. The steep cliffs of Ouitmet Canyon are a unique feature of the landscape.

Feel the open air on the Eagle Canyon Adventures suspension bridge, which is the longest one in Canada. There is also a short hike and several great lookouts at Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park.

Day four

Enjoy one of the hiking trails west of Thunder Bay. The drive out into the city’s farmlands and pastures is beautiful and the trails among the steep-sided mesas mix scenery and challenge.

The Pearson Township Wetland Nature Trail and the Lost Mountain Loop are lovely fall hikes.

Sault Ste. Marie area

The rolling topography of Algoma has been drawing in “leafers” since the Group of Seven first began making their trips north. The renowned Canadian landscape artists fell in love with the scenery and produced some of their best works in Algoma and along the Lake Superior shores.

Before October 15, camp at Pancake Bay Provincial Park. The long beaches will be quiet and there are several hiking trails.

Another option is to make the additional 40-minute drive to Lake Superior Provincial Park’s Agawa Campground. If you stay in the Sault, there are plenty of great hotel options, but they book up quickly in the fall—especially around peak colors in late September.

Day one

Drive 30 minutes from Sault Ste. Marie to Robertson Cliffs. This hiking area offers two- to seven-kilometre hikes. These can involve steep, challenging sections and may take the better part of a day. Several scenic lookouts offer stunning views along the way.

This hike can be done independently or supplemented with interpretation and hospitality from Forest the Canoe. After, check out some of the Sault’s dining options, including the revamped Machine Shop.

Day two

Explore the region by bicycle. Whether you prefer mountain, gravel or road biking, there are fantastic routes all around the city. Hiawatha Highlands is the go-to spot for trail riding, while there are some excellent gravel and road routes east towards Echo Bay or on St. Joesph’s Island.

Red Pine Tours offers guided trips and can assist with route planning.

Day three

Drive north into Lake Superior Provincial Park.

The Awausee Trail has reopened after a few years of closure, and it’s one of the best trails in the park. The steep, eight-kilometre trail takes hikers through mature maple stands with some massive sentinel trees missed by lumberjacks’ saws in the logging fervour of the 1900s.

Day four

Sip a coffee and one last bite to eat at Feeding Your Soul Cafe before heading home or continuing your journey.

Killarney and Sudbury area

Shoulder season is one of the best seasons to explore Killarney.

As the summer heat fades and crowds of peak season wane, the colors erupt across the white quartz hills. If you can make a mid-week visit work, the lakes will be significantly quieter.

For backcountry paddlers, canoe routes range from overnight to weeklong outings. Killarney Kanoes and Killarney Outfitters can provide all the gear you need.

Day one

Settle into your accommodations at the George Lake Campground. There are campsites for tents and trailers or book one of the six yurts.

Day two

Killarney is well known for its iconic scenery and hiking.

Experience views over Georgian Bay on the three-kilometre Chikanishing Trail or explore the park’s marshes on the Cranberry Bog Trail. For a more challenging hike, try the Lake of the Woods Trail and enjoy views of Silver Peak.

To hike the Crack, experienced hikers should reserve a permit five days in advance and arrive prepared. For a longer adventure on a quieter trail, experienced wilderness paddlers and hikers can rent a canoe and paddle from Bell Lake to the Silver Peak trailhead. Both hikes offer incredible views of the turning leaves against the white quartz hills.

Day three

Make a town day and drive to Killarney village for ice cream or fish and chips at Herbert Fisheries.

Stroll along the lakeshore and gaze out at Georgian Bay. On an overcast fall day, you’ll feel like you’re in the Maritimes.

Day four

Pack up and continue to Sudbury. The Big Nickel has many fun indoor activities at Science North (perfect for a rainy day) and lovely walking paths in the Lake Laurentian Conservation area.

Manitoulin Island area

Catch one of the last rides of the season on the MS Chi-Cheemaun to see some of the fall colors on Manitoulin Island. The ferry runs back and forth from Tobermory to South Baymouth until October 20.

Fall is a great time to check out the escarpment on the world’s largest freshwater island or cycle tour some of its quiet country roads.

Day one

Get off the Chi-Cheemaun in the quaint coastal village of South Baymouth. Check into a campsite or cabin at Manitoulin Eco Park, 15 minutes away. One of the best spots for stargazing, this Dark-Sky Preserve offers panoramic views of the celestial show on clear nights.

Day two

Hike the eight-kilometre Cup and Saucer Trail along the Niagara Escarpment. This trail offers excellent views of the North Channel and limestone cliffs painted with fall colors. Head to Gore Bay afterwards for a lakeside craft beer at Split Rail Brewery.

Day three

Visit Misery Bay Provincial Park to see the limestone Alvar, one of the rarest ecosystems in Ontario.

The eight-kilometre Coastal Alvar Trail is a perfect introduction to the ecosystem, and Friends of Misery Bay host educational programming out of the park’s visitor centre. Birders will appreciate this stopover for migratory birds making their journey south from northern breeding grounds.

Day four

Wander around the shops in Kagawong and take the short hike to Bridal Veil Falls, one of the prettiest waterfalls in the province. This can be an easy hike from a highway pull-off or a longer hike from Kagawong village.

Algonquin Provincial Park

Algonquin is Ontario’s most famous fall color destination.

Busloads of tourists make the trek from the Greater Toronto Area on weekends to see the spectacular colors, so it’s best to go during the week and book your permit up to five days in advance.

Be sure to book accommodations early—campsites and roofed accommodations can be booked up to five months in advance. Visitors can keep an eye on the Fall Color Report to discover when different species of trees are at peak color.

Day one

Take a hike on the short but stunning Lookout Trail and explore some of the other shorter hiking trails along the Highway 60 corridor. Then check into your accommodations at one of Algonquin’s campsites or a nearby lodge.

Day two

Rent a canoe and paddle one of the easily accessible lakes on the Highway 60 corridor, like Canoe Lake. Floating with reflections of autumn trees might be the definition of tranquility.

Algonquin Outfitters and The Portage Outpost are just some of the many outfitters that can arrange for rentals, campsite delivery and vehicle shuttles if needed. Pack a lunch, snacks and warm clothes on your day trip. Remember to always wear your PFD on the water as water temperatures can be chilly.

Day three

Cruise by bicycle through the forests. The 16-kilometre Old Railway Bike Trail is suitable for everyone and traverses a series of lakes, rivers and forests on a flat trail. Bikes can be rented at the Two Rivers Store. 

The ultimate Northern Ontario road trip

Ontario is massive, but it’s possible to soak in all the fall glory in one continuous, three-week road trip following the colors as they peak.

Heading north to south, starting and finishing at Canada-US borders:

Days 1-4

Enter Canada at the Pigeon River border crossing. Spend four days based out of Thunder Bay, hiking and savouring the beauty of Northwestern Ontario.

Days 5-9

Take your time travelling along Highway 17, with stops in Terrace Bay and Wawa before reaching Pancake Bay or Sault Ste. Marie. Base here for adventures in Algoma Country.

Days 10-13

Swing down to Killarney via Sudbury for a few days in the provincial park, paddling and hiking. Brave a dip in one of the park’s many lakes if you get a warm fall day.

Days 14-18

Continue east through North Bay before cutting south towards Algonquin Park, cruising across Highway 60. Camp at one of the quieter campgrounds on the eastern side of the park.

Days 19-20

Leave the Canadian Shield behind and enter the more populated regions of south Georgian Bay and, eventually, southern Ontario. Ease the transition with a stop in the resort town of Collingwood, which balances high-adrenaline downhill mountain biking with luxurious, relaxing spas.

Day 21

Continue south for three hours, bypassing Toronto to Niagara Falls and the Niagara Border crossing.

By now, you’ve followed the leaves as they’ve peaked and it won’t be long before winter arrives and snow blankets the north, creating opportunities for different outdoor adventure activities and a return trip.