10 Places To See Fall Colors In Peterborough And The Kawarthas

Granite shorelines, rushing falls, and maple hills glowing red and gold. The fall colors in my hometown are the best in Ontario, and I’m not even a little bit biased.

I had just pulled my canoe out of the gorgeous lakes of Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park when I noticed it. The maples along the shoreline had just started to turn. A splash of orange here, a flare of red there, all of it reflected in water as still as glass. I decided on the spot to stay a little longer in Peterborough, the city where I grew up, and still return to every year to chase the colors through the rest of the Kawarthas.

I’ll never hide my love for Peterborough and the Kawarthas. It’s my home. I might live in the Toronto area now with my family, but I think I’ll always say “I’m going home” when I head back here. As much as I’ve chased autumn leaves across this province, from the autumn leaves in Sudbury to the vineyards around Niagara Falls, I keep coming back here because this is one of the best places in Ontario to experience the autumn season. It sits just an hour and a half from Toronto, but the landscape feels a world away: the rolling drumlins and hardwood forests of the south give way to the rugged granite and pine of the Canadian Shield as you head north, and every one of them puts on a different show.

This guide started life as five places to see the fall colors. Over the years I’ve kept adding favorites, and the list is now ten, along with the scenic drives, the stops for lunch, and the timing tips that make a fall day in the Kawarthas work.

Where Is Peterborough Ontario?

Peterborough is lovingly referred to as the gateway to cottage country. The city of more than 80,000 people sits on the shores of Little Lake and the Otonabee River, and it’s the hub for the Kawartha Lakes, the magnificent chain of lakes that includes Balsam, Stoney, and Chemong, strung along the Trent-Severn Waterway that stretches north and west into the Canadian Shield.

Getting here from Toronto is easy: take Highway 401 east to Highway 115 and follow it north into the city. The drive takes about an hour and a half, which puts Peterborough firmly in day-trip range, although I’d argue a weekend is the way to do it. In autumn, it becomes one of the most popular destinations in Ontario, and it’s easy to see why. If you’re planning a longer stay, my list of favorite Peterborough weekend itineraries covers the best things to do in the city itself.

What’s Changed Around Peterborough

If you last visited a few autumns ago, a few things are different around Peterborough, and all of them make a fall trip to the city even better.

• The Canadian Canoe Museum has a new home on the shore of Little Lake near the Lift Lock, and it rents canoes and kayaks right from its waterfront through Thanksgiving weekend, weather permitting.
• The old Lift Lock visitor center has reopened as a year-round visitor information center run by Peterborough Tourism, with Trent-Severn Waterway displays, maps, and local guides.
• Doube’s Trestle Bridge is back open. The historic trestle on the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail between Peterborough and Omemee was damaged by fire, then repaired and reopened, so the colorful ride from Jackson Park toward Omemee is possible again. Check the trail association’s site for other bridge closures before a long ride.
• Petroglyphs Provincial Park takes day-use reservations through the Ontario Parks booking system, which is well worth doing on a peak fall weekend.

Best Places To See Fall Colors In Peterborough And The Kawarthas

You don’t have to look far to find fall colors in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. The region is a nature-lovers’ paradise. And both inside the city limits and within Peterborough County itself, you can find amazing Ontario fall foliage almost anywhere. Here are a few of my favorite places to see the fall colors in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

1. Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park

Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park, near Apsley, is my favorite place in the region to experience the fall colors. It’s the second-largest provincial park in southern Ontario, covering about 375 square kilometers of lakes, wetlands, granite ridges, and mixed forest, and it’s wild in a way you don’t expect so close to the city. There’s no visitor center, no car camping, and no crowds. Just water, rock, and trees.

This is where this whole article began. I had spent days paddling the Serpentine Loop, and I still think Serpentine Lake is one of the most beautiful places in the province: a winding, shallow, rocky body of water that looks like it would be right at home in a Group of Seven painting. When the maples along its shore start to turn, it looks exactly like one.

You don’t need to go deep into the backcountry to see it. The trails around Loon Call Lake are a great way to get into the forest for a few hours, and exploring the park by canoe is even better. For an easy fall drive, head north from Peterborough on County Road 23 (Buckhorn Road) to Highway 36, then follow Highway 507 north through the park. Stop along Mississauga Dam Road for a picnic at Mississauga Lake, where the colors reflect off the water.

If you want to end the day in style, Viamede Resort sits on the shores of Stoney Lake just south of the park. Its farm-to-table restaurant uses produce from the resort’s own on-site farm, and its seven-course wine-paired dinner is a memorable way to end a fall day.

• Best for: Paddlers, hikers, and anyone who wants wilderness color without the Algonquin crowds.
• Don’t miss: A paddle on Serpentine Lake, or a picnic at Mississauga Lake on the drive up Highway 507.
• Good to know: Day use runs from spring through the end of October. Access points have limited parking and no services, so bring what you need.
• Read more: You can read my complete guide to Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park here.

2. Burleigh Falls

Burleigh Falls is less than 30 minutes north of Peterborough along Highway 28, and it’s one of the easiest spots on this list to enjoy. There’s a small dirt parking lot just before the bridge, and from there a handful of short trails lead down to the base of the falls.

The water here comes rushing down from Lower Buckhorn Lake into Stoney Lake, tumbling over slabs of pink granite that glow in the late afternoon light. In the fall, the trees on the surrounding rock turn bright orange and red, and the whole scene reflects in the pools below. It’s also home to Lock 28 on the Trent-Severn Waterway, a historic lock that dates back to 1887, so you can watch boats pass through on the way to Stoney Lake.

It’s a great spot for sunset. Scramble out onto the rocks (carefully, they’re slippery when wet), watch the light change over the falls, and then head across the road for dinner at the Burleigh Falls Inn. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a patio overlooking the water, and if you’d rather not drive back in the dark, the inn has rooms with water views too.

• Best for: A quick, easy stop with big views, and sunset photography.
• Don’t miss: The granite rocks at the base of the falls in the late afternoon.
• Good to know: Burleigh Falls is free to visit. Petroglyphs Provincial Park and the Stony Lake trails are about 20 minutes away, so it pairs perfectly with either.

3. Trent University

Trent University is one of the most beautiful university campuses in Ontario. Of course, I might be a little sentimental about it. Christina and I held our wedding reception here back in 2007.

The campus sits on both banks of the Otonabee River, surrounded by hills and forest. Trent protects a network of nature areas around the campus, with hiking trails winding through the hardwoods, wetlands, and drumlins, and the Rotary Greenway Trail runs right along the river. In the fall, the maples along the banks turn brilliant shades of red and yellow, and the modern concrete buildings look surprisingly good against all that color.

My favorite way to see it is from the water. Paddle up the Otonabee River from the Peterborough Zoo, and the area just north of the pedestrian bridge is the most beautiful stretch of all. You can rent canoes and kayaks at the Canadian Canoe Museum on Little Lake through Thanksgiving weekend, and Liftlock Paddle Co. rents kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards from Little Lake as well.

When you’re done, grab a burger and fresh-cut fries at The Cabin at Trent, a casual food truck stop popular with students and locals alike on the Rotary Greenway Trail just by the campus. It’s classic grill fare with a view of the river.

• Best for: Paddling, easy walks, and a free afternoon in the city.
• Don’t miss: The stretch of the Otonabee River just north of the pedestrian bridge, ideally from a canoe.
• Good to know: The Canoe Museum’s rentals are first come, first served, and end for the season on Thanksgiving weekend.

4. Jackson Park

Jackson Park is one of my all-time favorite places in Peterborough for an autumn walk. It’s free, it’s right in the city, and it has kilometers of trails through the forest running along the banks of Jackson Creek.

The walking trails follow the creek through a valley of maples and oaks that turns spectacular in the fall. The highlight is Jackson Park Pond and its historic pagoda bridge, which was restored to its original design and is now a designated heritage structure. With the leaves changing around it and reflecting in the pond, it’s one of the most photographed spots in Peterborough.

For something longer, the Kawartha section of the Trans Canada Trail starts at the corner of Monaghan Road and Parkhill Road on the east end of the park and heads west along the old rail line toward Omemee. It’s a flat, easy bike ride through corridors of fall color, crossing a series of trestle bridges over creeks and wetlands along the way. Doube’s Trestle, the most famous of them, has been repaired and reopened after a fire, so the full ride is back on.

After your walk, head downtown to Sam’s Place on Hunter St. The patio is a great spot on a sunny fall day, and the gourmet grilled cheese is the reason I keep going back. Looking for more options? You can check out my guide to the best restaurants in Peterborough over on Ultimate Ontario.

• Best for: Families with young kids, easy walks, and cyclists.
• Don’t miss: The pagoda bridge over Jackson Park Pond.
• Good to know: Bridges along the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail close from time to time for repairs, so check the trail association’s website before planning a long ride.

5. Warsaw Caves Conservation Area

Warsaw Caves Conservation Area, off Highway 4 northeast of Peterborough, combines fall color with a genuine adventure. Unlike the lit show caves at Bonnechere, the seven caves here are wild, natural limestone caves carved by glacial meltwater, and you explore them on your own. The caves change every year thanks to the shifting of the ground over winter, so even if you’ve been before, it’s a different experience each time.

Come prepared. You’ll want headlamps, gloves, and good shoes, because the rock is slippery and rough, and you’ll be squeezing, crawling, and sliding your way through. Kids love it. So do adults who don’t mind getting a little muddy.

Above ground, there are about 15 kilometers of trails through forest and open limestone plains, with kettles (smooth, funnel-shaped potholes worn into the rock) along the way. The Lookout Trail climbs to a view over the Indian River valley that’s especially beautiful in the fall, and the area around Quarry Lake has some of the best color in the park.

Afterward, head into the village of Lakefield. The Canoe and Paddle is a cozy pub on Bridge Street with classic pub grub and, on many evenings, live music. Stuff’d, right next door, scoops Kawartha Dairy ice cream, and no fall trip to the Kawarthas is complete without it.

• Best for: Adventurous families and anyone who wants more than a walk in the woods.
• Don’t miss: The Lookout Trail over the Indian River valley, then the caves themselves.
• Good to know: The conservation area’s operating season ends on Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. After that, the trails stay open for walking from outside the gate, but caving isn’t allowed. There’s a vehicle day-use fee of around $20; confirm current rates on the Otonabee Conservation website before you go.

6. Petroglyphs Provincial Park

Petroglyphs Provincial Park, about 45 minutes north of Peterborough near the shores of Upper Stoney Lake, protects the largest known concentration of Indigenous rock carvings in Canada. The Teaching Rock, known as Kinoomaagewaabkong, holds around 1,200 petroglyphs of turtles, snakes, birds, and human figures, created roughly between 900 and 1100 AD. Today it’s housed inside a protective building, and photography of the carvings isn’t allowed.

Please keep in mind that this is an active sacred site. Visit respectfully, and take the time to explore the Learning Place visitor center, which was designed with Indigenous artisans and shares Anishinaabe teachings and history.

In the fall, the park is at its most peaceful. The forest here is a rich mix of maple, oak, and pine, and the trails are a great way to see it. The Nanabush Trail (5.5 km) is an easy loop across wetlands and rock outcrops; the West Day Use Trail (5 km) follows boardwalks through pine forest; and the Marsh Trail (7 km) leads through forest and marshland to views over the uplands. Along the way, look for McGinnis Lake, one of only a handful of meromictic lakes in Canada. Its layers of water never mix, and the result is a striking turquoise color that looks incredible against the autumn leaves.

• Best for: Culture, history, and quiet forest hikes.
• Don’t miss: The Teaching Rock and the Learning Place, then the Nanabush Trail.
• Good to know: The park is day use only and closes for the season after Thanksgiving. In spring and fall, it’s closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (except holiday Mondays), and vehicle access ends an hour before closing. Reserve a day-use permit online on busy fall weekends.
• Read more: You can read my complete guide to Petroglyphs Provincial Park here.

7. Silent Lake Provincial Park

Silent Lake Provincial Park sits at the northern edge of the Kawarthas, near Bancroft, and it’s been one of my favorite parks since my oldest friend Aaron, who is now a firefighter in Peterborough, first brought me here as a teenager. I was hooked after that first visit, and I’ve been back many times since.

The lake itself is about 2.5 kilometers long, and no motorboats are allowed, which means that in the fall you’ll hear nothing but loons and paddles. Because it sits higher on the Shield, Silent Lake often turns before the parks further south, so it’s a great first stop of the season. Paddle the shoreline, or portage over to Quiet Lake and Soft Lake for even more solitude.

For hikers, the Bonnie’s Pond Trail (3 km) passes stands of mature beech, a large beaver pond, and hemlock forest before reaching a lookout that’s stunning at peak color. If you’re up for a full day, the 15-kilometer Lakeshore Hiking Trail circles the lake with a series of lookouts along the way. For little legs, the 1.5-kilometer Lakehead Loop is an easy walk through cedar, hemlock, and maple.

Silent Lake is also one of the best places to stay for a fall color weekend. Its cabins and yurts are open year-round, and waking up in one on a crisp October morning is hard to beat.

• Best for: Early-season color, quiet paddling, and roofed accommodation in a park.
• Don’t miss: The lookout at the end of the Bonnie’s Pond Trail.
• Good to know: Cabins and yurts book up fast, especially on fall weekends. Book early, but keep checking, because last-minute cancellations happen often.
• Read more: You can read my complete guide to Silent Lake Provincial Park here.

8. The Peterborough Lift Lock And Little Lake

The Peterborough Lift Lock is the city’s most famous landmark, and it’s one of my top places to see the autumn colors without leaving town. Opened in 1904, it’s the highest hydraulic lift lock in the world, raising boats nearly 20 meters in a single lift, and it’s a National Historic Site.

Climb up to the top viewing deck for fantastic views over the Trent Canal and the east end of the city. When the colors are at their peak, the trees lining the canal put on an extra special show, and the walk along the canal from the lock toward Little Lake is lovely on a crisp afternoon. The visitor information center beside the lock is open year-round, with displays on the Lift Lock and the Trent-Severn Waterway, and it’s a good place to pick up maps and fall driving routes.

From here, it’s a short trip to the Canadian Canoe Museum on the shore of Little Lake, and a short walk across the Hunter Street Bridge to East City, where Ashburnham Ale House makes a great stop for lunch.

If you want to see it from the water, Liftlock Paddle Co. offers paddling packages that take you right through the Lift Lock itself, so you’re lifted nearly 20 meters in a kayak or canoe.

• Best for: A free city stop, history buffs, and families.
• Don’t miss: The view from the top viewing deck when the trees along the canal are in full color.
• Good to know: Lock operations on the Trent-Severn Waterway wind down after Thanksgiving, so if you want to watch a lift, go early in the fall.
• Read more: My Peterborough weekend itinerary has more on the Lift Lock and the Canoe Museum.

9. Mark S. Burnham Provincial Park

Just east of the city along Highway 7, Mark S. Burnham Provincial Park is one of the best-kept secrets in Peterborough. It’s small, only about 40 hectares, but it protects stands of maple, beech, elm, and hemlock that are among the oldest in Ontario. This is where my family used to picnic for summer birthday parties when I was a kid.

The park sits in the Peterborough Drumlin Field, a landscape of thousands of low, rounded hills left behind by the glaciers, and its short loop trails climb up and over the drumlins beneath the old-growth canopy. In the fall, the huge sugar maples turn a deep red and orange, and the light filtering through them is something else. It’s a quiet, easy hike that’s perfect for a short outing close to town.

• Best for: Old-growth forest, a short walk, and a quick escape from the city.
• Don’t miss: The towering sugar maples on the drumlin at the heart of the park.
• Good to know: Mark S. Burnham is day use only, with a picnic shelter and vault privies. Its season runs into early November, so it’s a good option after the northern parks have closed for the year.

10. High Falls On Eels Creek

For a hike with a payoff, High Falls on Eels Creek is one of the best-loved trails in the Kawarthas. The trail starts where Northey’s Bay Road crosses Eels Creek, near Woodview, and follows the creek through mixed forest in the southern end of the Kawartha Highlands to a six-meter waterfall that slides over a broad sheet of granite. If you’re adventurous, you can also paddle up Eels Creek from Stoney Lake.

It’s about an hour’s hike each way, with a small creek crossing and a stretch of marshy ground, and it’s moderate rather than easy. The reward is a wild, undammed waterfall surrounded by maples and oaks, with smooth rocks that are perfect for a picnic. In the fall, the reds and golds reflecting off the dark water are spectacular.

• Best for: Hikers who want a waterfall and don’t mind some mud.
• Don’t miss: Lunch on the granite beside the falls.
• Good to know: Wear waterproof boots, because the marshy section can be wet in the fall. Parking at the trailhead is limited and fills up on peak weekends, so arrive early. It pairs well with Petroglyphs Provincial Park, which is just down the road.

More Places To See Fall Colors Near Peterborough

If you’ve ticked off the ten above, or you’re heading toward Lindsay and the western Kawarthas, these are all worth a stop:

• Windy Ridge Conservation Area, near Omemee, has a short loop along the Oak Ridges Moraine with a lookout over the Pigeon River just minutes from the parking lot.
• Fleetwood Creek Natural Area, off Highway 35, has an observation platform with sweeping fall views and a three-kilometer Valley Trail.
• Ken Reid Conservation Area, north of Lindsay, has a floating boardwalk through the wetlands and views over Sturgeon Lake.
• Emily Provincial Park, near Omemee, is a quiet spot to paddle the Pigeon River.
• Balsam Lake Provincial Park has a short lookout trail that gives you a great overview of the park in under an hour.
• Peter’s Wood Provincial Nature Reserve, south of Rice Lake, has a short loop through one of the last stands of old-growth forest on the Oak Ridges Moraine.

And if you’re willing to drive a bit further north, the lookouts in the Haliburton Highlands and the famous colors of Algonquin Provincial Park are within reach for a longer weekend.

Best Fall Color Drives In Peterborough And The Kawarthas

Some of the best color in the region is best seen through a windshield. These are my favorite routes:

• Highway 28 to Burleigh Falls and the Highlands. Head north from Peterborough through Lakefield to Burleigh Falls, continue up toward Apsley and Kawartha Highlands, then loop back through Buckhorn on Highway 36 and County Road 23. Stop at Burleigh Falls, Petroglyphs, and Stoney Lake along the way.
• The Rice Lake south shore. South of Peterborough, the road between Gores Landing and Harwood follows the shore of Rice Lake, and the reflections off the water make the colors seem twice as bright. It usually peaks a little later, in mid-October.
• The Kawartha Lakes loop. Head west through Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, and Omemee, with stops at the locks, small-town cafes, and Kawartha Country Wines.
• Peterborough and the Kawarthas Tourism’s fall driving tours. The regional tourism office publishes a collection of pre-planned fall routes, including one that pairs Warsaw Caves with Leahy’s Farm and Market and the Kawartha Butter Tart Factory, and another built around Lang Pioneer Village. On the way through Keene, don’t skip Muddy’s Pit BBQ.

Fall Activities For Families In The Kawarthas

The leaves aren’t the only reason to visit in the fall. Pumpkin patches, apple orchards, corn mazes, and fall fairs pop up all over the region, and our boys ask about them the moment the first leaves start to fall. Farms like Leahy’s make an easy add-on to a drive, and Lang Pioneer Village is a great stop for a taste of the region’s history. For more ideas, see my roundup of kid-friendly fall activities in Ontario.

Where To Eat Along The Way

• Burleigh Falls Inn, Burleigh Falls: breakfast, lunch, and dinner overlooking the falls.
• Viamede Resort, Stoney Lake: farm-to-table dining and a seven-course wine-paired menu.
• The Cabin at Trent, Peterborough: burgers and fresh-cut fries on the Rotary Greenway Trail. There’s a second location beside Beavermead Park, near the Canoe Museum.
• Ashburnham Ale House, East City: pizza, burgers, and hearty pub fare near the Lift Lock.
• The Canoe and Paddle, Lakefield: pub grub and live music.
• Stuff’d, Lakefield: Kawartha Dairy ice cream.
• Muddy’s Pit BBQ, Keene: smoky barbecue on the way to Rice Lake.

Best Hotels For Fall Colors In Peterborough And The Kawarthas

Holiday Inn Peterborough Waterfront

The Holiday Inn sits on the shores of the Otonabee River beside Little Lake, just steps from downtown. The back patio has lovely views of the water and the fall colors, and there’s a pool and a restaurant on site. It’s the best base if you want to explore the city and take day trips into the Kawarthas.

Check rates and availability at the Holiday Inn Peterborough Waterfront here.

Viamede Resort

For a true fall color getaway, Viamede Resort on Stoney Lake is hard to beat. This cottage-style resort sits on a tree-filled waterfront, with on-site dining, a waterfront pool, and that seven-course wine-paired dinner. You’re minutes from Burleigh Falls, Petroglyphs, and Kawartha Highlands.

Burleigh Falls Inn

Wake up to the sound of the falls. The Burleigh Falls Inn has rooms and suites with water views, a restaurant and patio, and it puts you right in the middle of the best fall color in the northern Kawarthas.

Hampton Inn Peterborough

Near Highway 115 on the way into the city, the Hampton Inn is an easy, family-friendly option with a pool and breakfast included.

Check rates and availability at the Hampton Inn Peterborough here.

Camping, Cabins, And Yurts

If you’d rather sleep in the forest, Silent Lake Provincial Park has year-round cabins and yurts, and Warsaw Caves has a wooded campground through the end of its season. Kawartha Highlands is backcountry only, with canoe-in campsites.

Watch Our Fall In Peterborough Video

Interested in planning your own fall visit to Peterborough and the Kawarthas? Check out our fall in Peterborough video where you can see some of the incredible outdoor and indoor attractions that make this city so incredible.

Tips For Seeing The Fall Colors In The Kawarthas

• Go on a weekday if you can. Peak fall weekends, especially Thanksgiving, are busy at the parks and on Highway 28.
• Check the Ontario Parks fall color report before you go, and head north early in the season and closer to Peterborough later.
• Plan around closures. Petroglyphs closes Mondays and Tuesdays in the fall, and both Petroglyphs and the Warsaw Caves close for the season after Thanksgiving.
• Reserve day-use permits for the provincial parks on busy weekends.
• Dress in layers. Fall mornings in the Kawarthas can be near freezing, while afternoons can feel like summer.
• Wear bright colors in the woods. Fall is hunting season in parts of the Kawarthas, including some areas of Kawartha Highlands.
• Chase the light. The colors glow in the early morning and late afternoon, and lakes are often at their calmest at sunrise.

Why Visit Peterborough And The Kawarthas In The Fall

Most fall color destinations in Ontario give you one kind of landscape. The Kawarthas give you several within an easy hour’s drive. South of the city, the old-growth maples and beech of the drumlin fields turn a deep, fiery red. North of Lakefield, the forests grow over pink and grey granite, and the color lights up the edges of hundreds of lakes. Throw in waterfalls, caves, a national historic lift lock, and some of the most important Indigenous rock carvings in the country, and you have a fall weekend with far more variety than a single lookout.

It’s also a lot less crowded than Algonquin on a peak autumn weekend, and the trees are every bit as good. I’ve said before that the colors in the Kawartha Highlands are even better than those of Muskoka, and I stand by it.

When Is Peak Fall Color In The Kawarthas?

The autumn colors in Peterborough don’t arrive everywhere at once, and that’s what makes this region so good for leaf peeping. The northern parks, like Silent Lake and the Kawartha Highlands, sit higher on the Canadian Shield and usually turn first, often reaching their best in the last week of September. The area around Peterborough, Rice Lake, and the southern Kawarthas tends to peak in the first half of October, and the oaks and tamaracks keep the show going into the middle of the month.

Every year is different. A hot, dry late summer can mute the reds, and a hard wind or heavy rain can strip the trees in a weekend. Before you go, check the Ontario Parks fall color report, which tracks the change park by park through the season, and the fall pages from Peterborough and the Kawarthas Tourism. My rule of thumb: if the parks north of the city are showing lots of yellow and orange but Peterborough is still green, head north. When Peterborough lights up, stay close to home.

How To Choose Where To See Fall Colors In The Kawarthas

• Short on time or visiting with little kids? Jackson Park or the Lift Lock. Both are in the city, both are free, and both have easy, flat walking. Mark S. Burnham Provincial Park is another good spot. It’s easily accessible off Highway 7 near Television Rd.
• Want a waterfall with your fall colors? Burleigh Falls for the easy roadside version, High Falls on Eels Creek if you want to hike for it.
• Looking for a real adventure? Warsaw Caves, where you can explore the caves and then hike to a lookout over the Indian River valley.
• Want culture as well as color? Petroglyphs Provincial Park, with rich Indigenous history and culture at the Teaching Rock and the Learning Place.
• Want to paddle through the leaves? Kawartha Highlands for the wilderness, Silent Lake for a calm, motor-free lake, or the Otonabee River through Trent University if you only have an afternoon.
• Want the biggest, oldest trees? Mark S. Burnham Provincial Park, just east of the city.
• Would rather see it all from the car? Skip to the scenic drives below.

Frequently Asked Questions About Seeing The Fall Colors In Peterborough

Plan Your Fall Trip To Peterborough And The Kawarthas

Peterborough is home, and every fall it reminds me why. Whether you paddle through the Kawartha Highlands, watch the sunset over Burleigh Falls, or just stroll across the pagoda bridge in Jackson Park, you’ll find some of the best fall colours in Ontario here.

For more trip ideas, check out my Peterborough weekend itinerary and the fall pages from Peterborough and the Kawarthas Tourism.

Disclosure: This post was made possible with the support of Peterborough and the Kawarthas Tourism. All opinions remain our own. Wandering Wagars is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

You May Also Like To Read:

Pin This Post For Later: