The Peak of Fall Colours

Algonquin Park Fall Colour Report

Muskoka’s fall colours are fleeting. Within a few short weeks the landscape will turn from lush green to brilliant reds, orange and gold and then they’ll be gone. Peak colours, when viewing is at its best, will occur over the next few weeks.

You can follow the fall colour report yourself here.

We’ve talked before about the best places to view Muskoka’s beautiful fall colours by car, foot or bike, but we also recommend getting up close and personal with the trees to learn more about them (respectfully, of course). Most people associate the changing colours with sugar maples for their stunning red leaves, but many tree species change leaf colour in the fall. You can learn more about the tree species in our region in the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Tree Atlas (pictured in the image below).

Do you remember learning in a school science class why trees change colour? If you’ve forgotten, here’s an infographic that covers the basics. [source]

We are enjoying perfect fall temperatures right now—warm, sunny days with bright blue skies and cool, clear, cloudless nights that are perfect for viewing the stars. (Did you know that it’s dark enough here to see the milky way in the night sky?) We’d love for you to visit us this fall to enjoy the colours—some say it’s the best season to be here. (We say, any season is a great season in Muskoka!) You can view the availability of our waterfront cottages here if you’re planning a fall trip. And don’t forget that Canadian Thanksgiving is just around the corner!

The Howell Family

Fall in (love with) Muskoka

You love Muskoka, don’t you? We know that if you’ve visited us once before (or many times), then you must. We don’t think it’s possible to come here and not be touched by Muskoka's natural beauty, charming towns and fabulous people. 

If there were ever a best time to fall in love with Muskoka, Autumn is probably it: warm days (mostly…), cool nights, a show of colour that gets better with each passing day and lots to see and experience without the crowds of summer. 

If you're planning to visit this month, here’s a taste of what’s happening for the rest of September in Muskoka:

• The display of gorgeous fall color has started but isn’t at its peak yet (that means there’s still time for you to get here to see it). In Muskoka, most areas are reporting 5-20% change while Algonquin Park is reporting 40% change. If you’re on Facebook, watch our page for photos or check out Algonquin Park’s photo stream for theirs.
• Film North, the Huntsville International Film Festival, presents a selection of Canadian and international films at the Algonquin Theatre from September 20-22.
• The Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour runs the next two weekends, September 22-23 and 29-30. Visit with local artists in their studios and see them in action!
• Culture Days celebrates the arts and cultural life in communities across Canada on September 28-30. There are creative events and activities happening across Muskoka. Check out the calendar of events to see what’s on.
• Northwords Muskoka Literary Festival runs from September 28-30 with author presentations, workshops and special events. If you love books, this event is for you!
• For all you cyclists out there (of both the road and mountain variety), The Muskoka Bicycle Festival celebrates all things bikes on Saturday, September 29.

As always, we’re happy to see you any time of year but if you’ve never come for a visit in the Fall then check out the availability of our waterfront cottages and experience what some call Muskoka’s most spectacular season.

The Howell Family

Mother Nature's Paintbrush

Muskoka is beautiful at any time of year but in the Fall, she is adorned with brilliant colors. There’s nothing quite like sitting dockside on an Autumn morning with splendid reds, oranges and yellows reflected in the lake while loons provide the soundtrack.

It’s also an ideal time to tour around Muskoka, either by car, by bike or on foot. For some gorgeous hikes, revisit our list of Muskoka hiking trails. And if two or four wheels are more your style these driving tours, which are also suitable as long bike tours, will have you ooohing and aaahing in no time.

Lake of Bays tour

From Colonial Bay, take Highway 60 east through Dwight to Highway 35.

• Turn right onto Highway 35 to Dorset. (If you have time, the hike up to the Dorset Fire Tower provides a beautiful vantage point over Lake of Bays.)


• Right onto Highway 117 to Baysville. (If you detour along Old Highway 117 to Norway Point, you can arrange for a water taxi to Bigwin Island.)


• Right onto Brunel Road in Baysville.


• Right onto South Portage Road (Muskoka Road 9).


• Left onto Highway 60 and back to Colonial Bay.

Distance: approx. 90 km (1.5 hours or more, depending on the number of times you stop)

Huntsville Chain of Lakes tour

From Colonial Bay, take Highway 60 East to South Portage Road (Muskoka Road 9).

• Right on South Portage (Muskoka Road 9) to Muskoka Road 23


• Right on Muskoka Road 23 back to Highway 60 (You have just circled Peninsula Lake)


• Left on Highway 60 to Highway 11 (Passing Fairy Lake)


• Left onto Highway 11


• Right on Ravenscliffe Road


• Left on E Fox Lake Road


• Left on Hoodstown Road (Muskoka Road 45)


• Right on South Drive (still Muskoka Road 45)


• Left on Etwell Road


• Left on Aspdin Road (You have just circled Lake Vernon)


• Right on Highway 11 to Port Sydney


• Right on Muskoka Road 10 through Port Sydney (Passing Mary Lake). Consider stopping for a picnic lunch at the public beach in Port Sydney.


• Left on Brunel Road to Huntsville (If you have time, stop at the Brunel Locks and watch the boats or at Lions Lookout above the Canada Summit Centre for a sweeping view of Fairy Lake and the Town of Huntsville)


• Right on Main Street


• Right on Highway 60 and back to Colonial Bay

Distance: Approx. 100 km (2+ hours, depending on the number of stops)

Algonquin Park Tour

From Colonial Bay, take Highway 60 East to Algonquin Park (a visitor’s pass is required for the park - you can purchase one at the West Gate)
The drive through the park is beautiful and offers abundant opportunities for short hikes or viewpoints. The viewing deck at the Visitor’s Centre (at km 43) will give you the most accessible panoramic view in the park.
Distance: Approx. 180 km to the East Gate of Algonquin Park and back (3+ hours depending on how often you stop)

And, as always, the view from Colonial Bay's dock is stunning and is only a few short steps from your door.

Some leaves have already started to turn, but the peak of autumn color is still a few weeks away. It varies from year-to-year, typically falling somewhere in the last week of September or the first week of October.

Come and join us for Mother Nature’s brilliant show.
The Howell Family

Thanksgiving Sunday Morning

We've been blessed with a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Warm and sunny all weekend. Here is another short video of my favourite view from Colonial Bay.

Early Morning Mist

We experienced a little frost last night as the temperatures dipped just below freezing. It made for a neat morning to take pictures at the lake as the cool air temperature and warmer water combine to make a mist over the lake. The Sun was shining from the east and mad the far shore quite spectacular to see. Some guests that were on the dock taking pictures joked that it must be a good morning if the owner is out taking pictures!!

Fall Colours Reaching their Peak...

Guests returning from Algonquin Park yesterday and today report seeing some of the most vibrant colours in years. One of our favourite trails in Algonquin is Booth's Rock. It looks like the next few days in Algonquin will be exceptional. Other great places to stop and enjoy Fall; Dorset Fire Tower, Ragged Falls, Lions Lookout - Huntsville (where this picture was taken) and Oxtongue River Rapids.

Spectacular Fall Colours

We have seen a significant change in colour during the last few days. Guests driving East along Highway 117 and Highway 60 in Algonquin Park are reporting sections of the forest are turning red and yellow. The best time to see vibrant colour is in the morning when the rising sun is reflecting off the morning dew.