There’s nothing as breathtaking as an Ontario tree line afire with October’s palette of orange, red and yellow. Guelph and surrounding area can be absolutely beautiful in the fall. Here are some of the best places to see all the colours at their peak.
University of Guelph Arboretum – Guelph’s renowned Arboretum encompasses 400 acres adjacent to the campus featuring plant collections, gardens, walking trails, natural woodlands, wetlands, and meadows. A noteworthy collection of oaks, beeches, maples, and conifers makes it an ideal place to witness the changing colours in the fall! Enjoy a walk along the trails or play frisbee golf while taking in the red, yellow and orange tones. This Guelph gem is free and open to the public.
Riverside Park, especially along the river, is another great spot to admire the changing leaves in Guelph. Check out the city-maintained beautiful gardens near the giant clock. The popular Riverside Park antique carousel and train remain open for rides on weekends until after Thanksgiving.
Rockwood Conservation Area– Enjoy the fall colours atop towering glacial bluffs, and take in the arboreal tapestry of deciduous and coniferous trees reflected off the beautiful Eramosa River. Explore glacial caves and hike through a variety of biomes in this conservation area that’s just 20 minutes east of Guelph.
Heffernan Bridge, Covered Bridge along the Royal Recreation Trail – Located close to downtown, and featuring a number of historical sites (including both bridges, and Locomotive 6167), this makes for an absolutely romantic fall stroll, with blushes of yellow, orange, and red reflected off of the ironically calm Speed River.
Guelph Lake Rotary Forest and Trail – A true celebration of the power of community, about 60,000 trees were planted over 15 years to create the Guelph Lake Rotary trail and forest. This immersive forest has a great vantage point of all of Guelph at the back of the trail. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash.
Exhibition Park –Located close to Guelph downtown, Exhibition Park is an early site of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Rich with maple trees that come alive with colour, it’s a great place to take the kids to play in the fallen leaves. Exhibition Park also hosts the Guelph Royals baseball team and features tennis courts, a natural playground, and plenty of spots for a picnic or quiet read.
Royal City Park:– Explore this beautiful park where the Eramosa and Speed River meet, and seasons do too. With shores dotted with by old maple and oak trees, and only a two minute walk away from Boathouse Tea Room and Ice Cream, this is a must visit fall stroll favoured by locals and newcomers alike.
University of Guelph Johnston Green – A favourite among students and locals for photo shoots and picnics, the Johnston Green is a massive lawn where dozens of towering maples sit calmly. If you’re looking for fall photos, the Johnston Green is the #1 backdrop, featuring vibrant fall colours as well as the beautiful Johnston Hall stone tower, built in 1932, and the old Italian style-portico, built in 1874. Dawn your favourite sweater, and bring your spiced latte’s – you may be here awhile…
Preservation Park – Featuring a plethora of walking trails that meander through dense deciduous and conifer forests, as well as open fields, and lengthy boardwalks that take you over creeks, and marshes, Preservation Park offers you fall colours amidst a variety of biomes and landscapes. Explore the trails south of Kortright Road if you’re up for a fall hike, and the trail north of Kortright Road for a fall stroll.
Be sure to top off your day with a cozy coffee, tea, or hot chocolate from Red Brick Café, or Found Coffee Co. to warm up and explore cutesy coffee shops. Enjoy the autumn vibes!
Do you have a secret gem where you’ve seen the fall colours in Guelph? Let us know in the comments and share your photos!
Title Photo by Jan Douma https://www.picturesquevic.com/
