Fall Colour Driving Tours in Algoma

The air is cool, with early mornings having a distinct nip in the air. Summer attire is packed away for another year and is replaced with woollen sweaters. It’s Pumpkin Spice everything. Read below about the fall colour driving tours in Algoma Country. These tours bring you to the best of the colours. Vibrant reds, yellows and golds, oranges mixed with deep evergreens are what visitors can expect from a fall colour season in the Algoma region. Rugged Canadian Shield landscape and forest mixed with deciduous and coniferous trees like yellow birch, sugar maple, balsam fir, and eastern white pine.

TOUR BY AUTO, RV, AND MOTORCYCLE

The Deer Trail

Photo credit: Lortz Photo

This 120-km loop can be done in one day. Take the twisty roadway through a rugged and scenic landscape of dense forest, winding rivers, and a very colourful drive in the fall months. Some favourite stops on the route are the Fire Tower Lookout, Boom Camp Trails, and Dean Lake Bridge. Visit the Dean Lake Bridge which is over 100 years old and leads you to the Mississagi Delta Provincial Nature where you can access Beharriell Park. Communities on this route to visit for restaurants, places to stay, things to do, cultural sites and more are Elliot Lake, Blind River, and the Municipality of Huron Shores.

St. Joseph Island

Photo credit: Lortz Photo

St. Joseph Island is the most western of the Manitoulin Island chain of islands. It’s accessed by a toll-free bridge and an excellent country road tour. Rolling farmland, lovely views of Lake Huron, and tree-lined sections of the road make up this day trip. Visit Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site and walk the on-site trails (closes October 1). A notable event is the annual Country Road Open House (September 30 and October 1) a self-guided tour of local Island agricultural producers, artisans, and businesses. Find more events in the area by viewing the Algoma Country Festivals and Events Calendar.

Hwy 129 – Mississagi Valley

Photo credit: James Smedley Outdoors

It’s what we like to call Ontario’s Tail of the Dragon. Scenic Highway 129 from Thessalon where the roadway twists and turns along the Mississagi River for a wilderness drive with views of the river, colourful hills, and inland lakes. Stop at Aubrey Falls Provincial Park for a hike to the waterfall. An interpretive panel shares the story of Canadian Canadian painter Tom Thomson’s 1912 canoe trip along the Mississagi River. Continue to the town of Chapleau for a fuel and lunch break then take Highway 101 to Wawa.

Sault Ste. Marie to Wawa

Photo credit: James Smedley Outdoors

One of the top ten drives in Canada! Drive the Trans Canada Highway 17 follows much of the coastline of Lake Superior with breathtaking views of the Big Lake. The highway has inclines and descents, twists and turns around jutting rock faces, breathtaking views and lots of leg stretch stops. We recommend driving from Wawa to Sault Ste. Marie, so you’re always facing the lake on the drive.

Hwy 556 – Searchmont

Photo credit: James Smedley Outdoors

A glorious fall drive on this little secret of a roadway in the Searchmont area. It’s not busy, and a nice winding country road while kicking up some dirt! The highway connects to Highway 129, and you can reach Aubrey Falls Provincial Park by taking this route. Part of the highway is paved so consider this when planning a driving tour. This road is ideal for ADV bikes! We recommend you take your time and be mindful of the road conditions.

TOUR BY TRAIN

Photo credit: Sofie Sharom

The famous Agawa Canyon Tour Train is a spectacular fall colour day trip along a 114-mile journey. First, board the train in Sault Ste. Marie, then it’s north from the city into the Algoma wilderness. You’ll have views of Lake Superior, and dense forest, and pass through historic and abandoned railway towns. The awe-inspiring Montreal River trestle is a heart-stopping view of Superior. Once in the canyon, visitors have 90 minutes to explore: enjoy the lookout with a 360-degree view of the canyon or take in the waterfalls. Members of the Group of Seven camped here over 100 years ago. In particular, Bridal Veil Falls has been immortalized in works by both Lawren Harris and J.E.H MacDonald.

Plan your fall driving tour in Algoma Country, visit the website it help you plan where to stay, and things to do, where to enjoy tasty food and drink. If you have any questions, contact the Algoma Country office by phone at 1-800-263-2546 local (705) 254-4293, email info@algomacountry.com or send us a DM on social media: Facebook or Instagram.

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