Passes to view the fall colours in Algonquin Park nearly sold out for Thanksgiving weekend

October 11, 2024 Canuck

With above-average temperatures to begin this fall season, fall colours viewing remains near its peak heading into the Thanksgiving long weekend.

A popular spot to view fall colours is in Algonquin Park, where day passes are required for visitors.

“Oh it’s beautiful,” remarked David Frame, who’s visiting the park from Toronto.

“It’s just so nice to get out of the city and enjoy nature. And in the fall, when the colors are like this, it doesn’t get any better.”

As of Friday afternoon, day permits for Algonquin Park’s Highway 60 corridor, which stretches 56 kilometres from the west gate to the east gate, are sold out for Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the Thanksgiving long weekend.

“Three days ago, I got (a pass),” said Frame.

“My son and I came a week and a half ago just to do a day pass, and it was full. I couldn’t believe it, it was full. I’ve been coming here all my life, I’ve never experienced that. So, we got the pass earlier this time.”

Passes were 60 per cent sold out for Friday as of Thursday, and 80 percent sold out for Monday, Oct. 14.

Typically, Algonquin Park says the date for peak fall colours viewing falls on Sept. 27.

While peak viewing has never surpassed Oct. 9, recorded in 1996, the park’s current gauge of colours on maple, poplar, and birch trees remain at vibrant high points.

“The drive on highway 60 was beautiful,” Brook Stone — who had just spent two nights camping in Algonquin — said on Friday.

“The colours are really nice,” adds Kevin Keenan — who’s visiting from Bobcaygeon.

“We need lots more cold weather, some frost to really bring them out, but they’re looking pretty good.”

The ideal time for viewing bright reds and oranges on maples trees is typically from mid-September to early October. These colours are mostly found in the park’s west end.

From early to mid-October, including this Thanksgiving weekend, bright yellows and oranges can be seen on the local poplar and birch trees, along with burnt oranges on sugar maples. These are most notably found in the park’s east end and near the east gate.

Algonquin’s tamarack trees reach their peak yellows in mid-to-late October. By late October to early November, most of the park’s deciduous trees will have fallen bare.

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