Explore Sault Ste. Marie During Autumn Season in Canada
Sault Ste. Marie stands out for its stunning beauty during the fall season. The vibrant leaves, scenic trails, and striking views capture the best of nature in Northern Ontario. This is one of the top places to experience the autumn season in Canada, with plenty of outdoor activities and unforgettable landscapes. We’ve highlighted five ways to enjoy fall in the region – each one worth the trip.
Discover Ontario’s awesome fall colours as you’ve never seen them before! Explore more on the official Sault Ste. Marie Tourism website.
1. Ride The Agawa Canyon Tour Train This Fall Season
This attraction is a bucket-list adventure and a big tourist favorite when it comes to seeing the autumn season in Canada in its prime. Hop on this day-long journey that starts in our Canal District and travels 114km into the Agawa Canyon; along the way you will be immersed in wilderness and its array of oranges, reds, and yellows. Once you reach the canyon, you will get to walk around and explore various trails that will take you to beautiful scenic lookouts and various waterfalls where the Group of Seven once painted some of their iconic paintings. This can’t miss experience will certainly be one for the books!
2. Enjoy Fall Season In Northern Ontario Hiking Robertson Cliffs
There are so many hikes in and around Sault Ste. Marie that it can be difficult to narrow it down to just one. But if you are only looking to do one hike this autumn season in Canada, try the Robertson Cliffs lookout hike.
To escape to this beautiful scenic lookout, you only need to travel about 20 minutes north of the city of Sault Ste. Marie in Northern Ontario. This intermediate hike will not only get your blood flowing but will also guide you through the colorful brush and trees. A helpful tip is to make sure you dress accordingly and be prepared to be in awe once you reach the top! When you have completed this 5km hike on Ila’s Trail, you will come upon the breathtaking fall scenery of the boreal forest. You will undoubtedly want to make sure you capture this view with a picture, as the vibrant colors will take your breath away!
3. Hike or Bike Hiawatha Highlands / Kinsmen Park
You don’t have to travel far to experience the fall season in Sault Ste. Marie. Located just north of the city, you will find bridges and paths in Kinsmen Park that will take you through a network of trails, such as the Crystal Creek System, where you will see fall in all its perfection. You can also explore and visit Crystal Falls at one end of the park and then follow the trails to Minnehaha Falls at the other end.
Another must-do during the autumn season in Canada is the new mountain biking trails located in the same area as the Hiawatha Highlands. Check out fall colors while you enjoy our new flow trails, berms, jumps, techy climbs, and more.
4. Check out Fort Creek Conservation Area on the Hub Trail
Enjoy the fall season at its best right here in the heart of Sault Ste. Marie! The John Roswell Hub Trail is a 22.5km trail that surrounds our beautiful city, with paved paths that you can walk or bike on. One of our favourite parts of the hub trail in the fall specifically, is the Fort Creek section. You can park at the Fort Creek Conservation Area and take the trail through the forest where you will come upon some incredible bridges that overlook the stunning ravine. This simple trail system is a nice, laid-back one-hour walk from the Conversation Area to the Third Line section and back.
5. Take a River Cruise on the Miss Marie with Sault Lock Tours
One of the best ways to experience the fall season in Sault Ste. Marie is by taking a scenic boat tour through the famous Sault Locks. The Miss Marie cruises depart daily until mid-October at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., offering stunning views of the autumn colours and waterways during the autumn season in Canada. This relaxing tour is perfect for seeing nature’s vibrant fall display from a unique perspective.
For full details and ticket information, visit the Sault Lock Tours page.
Want the Expert Touch? Take a Guided Tour This Fall Season!
Sault Ste. Marie offers knowledgeable, experienced guides who help you make the most of the autumn season in Canada.
Take a full-day guided tour on the True North Adventure Bus to see stunning fall colours you’ve admired on Instagram. Paddle across some of Ontario’s most beautiful inland lakes and hike to breathtaking viewpoints showcasing vibrant autumn colours. True North Adventure Bus and Forest The Canoe lead these unforgettable tours to prime locations for fall views. Learn more about available options on the Sault Ste. Marie Tour Guides page.
Thrive Tours offers guided hikes focused on fall colours, along with canoe and kayak tours across the Algoma region. Red Pine Tours specializes in bike tours, while Walk Among The Trees provides 2- to 3-hour hiking tours sharing Indigenous culture, teachings, and language. Discover Metis Tours to learn about the history of the Metis people in Sault Ste. Marie, and explore culinary and walking tours with Blaq Bear Tours.
How Else Can I Experience Fall Season?
Sault Ste. Marie in Northern Ontario is a great destination to experience incredible autumn season in Canada, with countless other ways to see spectacular reds, oranges, and yellows. A scenic drive through the Bellevue Valley to Goulais River is a great way to see some stunning colours. Or check out this blog post featuring 4 more ‘unknown’ spots to enjoy fall colours!
We hope you enjoy your time in the Soo! 🙂
Frequently asked questions
Fall in Canada typically begins September 22nd or 23rd depending on the year. This marks the autumn equinox, when daylight hours start to shorten and temperatures begin to cool. The fall season usually peaks in late September through October, especially in regions like Northern Ontario where the changing leaves create stunning landscapes.
Fall colours usually begin around September 20th, peak around October 1st, and last 2-3 weeks – but it depends on the year. With warmer Septembers becoming more common, colour season has recently been extended into the middle of October and through Canadian Thanksgiving!
Some of the top things to do during the autumn season in Canada include hiking scenic trails including Robertson Cliffs, taking a river cruise on the Miss Marie, riding the Agawa Canyon Tour Train, exploring local lookouts, and joining a guided fall tour.
Sault Ste. Marie in Northern Ontario is one of the best places to see fall colours. For some lesser-known spots, check out these four places to enjoy fall colours in Sault Ste. Marie.
Absolutely. There are several local companies offering guided hikes, canoe tours, biking tours, and cultural experiences during the autumn season. You can explore options with Thrive Tours, Forest The Canoe, Walk Among The Trees, and others.