Things to Do in Cottage Country This Fall (2025)

Fall is now here and the air is getting more crisp and the trees are putting on their spectacular displays of yellows, oranges and reds.Autumn brings a transformative beauty—and a quieter, more reflective pace—to Ontario’s cottage country. If you’re looking to experience crisp air, radiant foliage, and memorable outings this fall, here are curated suggestions for Haliburton, The Kawartha Lakes, Muskoka, Bancroft, Simcoe, and Parry Sound. Events, top places for colours, hikes & canoeing trails, and the best golf courses in each area to soak it all in.

Haliburton

Fall Events 2025

• Hike Haliburton Festival — September 18 to 21, 2025 - Over 40 guided hikes of varying levels across the Highlands; also food, art, heritage tie-ins. A great way to see fall foliage and explore trails.  
• ColourFest (Haliburton Village, Head Lake Park) - Saturday, September 20, 2025. Family-friendly event: pumpkin rolling, craft vendors, inflatable games, face painting, classic cars, art displays. 
• Abbey Gardens Fall Festival - Saturday, October 4, 2025  - Seasonal food/gathering, local vendors, nature-based activities; beautiful setting in the Highlands.  
• Local markets and fall artisan fairs run through September, leading into Thanksgiving weekend. (Check township and village calendars.)

Best Spots for Fall Colours

• Dorset Lookout Tower — wide vista over forests and lakes; spectacular in early October. 
• The Haliburton Sculpture Forest in Glebe Park —trails through maple forest with sculptures, a lovely combination of art + nature.  
• Sir Sam’s Ski & Bike area — lookout tower, lake views. 
• Silent Lake Provincial Park — lakeside trails, mixed hardwoods, excellent colour reflections. 

Top Hiking & Canoe Trails

• Buttermilk Falls Trail — moderate hike, waterfall feature.  A classic spot, especially with fall leaves adding colour and depth.  
• Barnum Creek Trails (Red Loop, Green Loop) – nice forest walks, doable in half-day. 
• Sir Sam’s Interpretive Hike (Haliburton) – great for educational walks + colours.  
• James Cooper Lookout Trail — gives sweeping views over forest canopy. 
• Lakeshore Hiking Trail (Silent Lake) (~15 km) — great for longer hikes and lakeside views. 
• For canoeing: Haliburton Highlands Water Trails, or paddle portions of Silent Lake.

Top Golf Courses

• Haliburton Highlands Golf Club — Historic 9-hole course (est. 1932); great setting among trees and lakes. scenic views especially from certain tees (e.g. 8th over Lake Kashagawigamog); good value.
• Blairhampton Golf Club —18-hole course; varied terrain, lush fairways; strong local reputation. Challenging layout, peaceful woodland setting. 
• Lakeside Golf Club —Smaller / more intimate; rolling hills, views of lake; very picturesque in fall.  
• Gull River Golf Club - Interesting layout along waterways, with scenic waterhole edges; mix of challenge + serenity.  
• Pinestone  Golf Course - Larger resort style 18-hole layout; beautiful forested setting, resort amenities.  

The Kawartha Lakes

Fall Events 2025

• Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour — September 27-28, 2025; explore artist studios across Peterborough-Kawarthas. 
• Kawartha Farmfest — Saturday, October 4, 2025; self-guided driving tour of area farms, food, family friendly. 
• Victoria County Studio Tour — Saturday, September 27 to Sunday, October 5, 2025; art + nature combo. 
• Whiskey and Wingfest — Saturday, October 4, 2025 at the Armoury. 
• Fenelon Falls Turkey Trot — Saturday, October 11, 2025. 
• Arts studio tours, fall fairs, and homestead-oriented harvest festivals are common. The Peterborough & Kawarthas fall guide has many scheduled events.  

Best Spots for Fall Colours

• Doube’s Trestle Bridge (west of Omemee) — panoramic over Buttermilk Valley & trestle architecture. 
• Kawartha Trans Canada Trail sections — scenic rail trails, forest edges, especially around Bobcaygeon / Omemee.
• Lakeshores of the many Kawartha Lakes — water reflections and hardwood mix create beautiful mornings.
• The Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park – more remote wilderness, great for deep colour and quiet autumn wilderness.  

Top Hiking & Canoe Trails

• Trails within Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park – many walks and backcountry treks. 
• Lang Pioneer Village Museum area – combine history + walks, especially nice in fall.  
• Multiple shorter hikes around Kawartha Lakes (look for conservation areas and boat launches).
• Canoeing: Paddle in smaller lakes early in the day to catch reflections and soft light.

Top Golf Courses

• Lindsay Golf & Country Club — championship layout, excellent condition, lovely fall colours. 
• The Links at Monck’s Landing — rolling terrain, scenic vistas. 
• Black Diamond Golf Club — wooded fairways & well-kept greens. 
• Kawartha Golf & Country Club (Peterborough) - Stanley Thompson design pedigree, strong layout, great condition.  
• The Quarry Golf Club (Ennismore) - Scenic mixed holes, water hazards, good staff + setting.  
• Heron Landing Golf Club - Balanced challenge, good for both locals and visitors, approachable yet satisfying.  
• Winds Golf Resort (Keene) - Resort feel, stay & play, views over Rice Lake, excellent value.  

Muskoka

Fall Events 2025

• Huntsville Fall Fair — September 19-21, 2025. 
• Heritage Fall Fair (Muskoka Heritage Place, Huntsville) -Traditional rural fair: exhibits, early games, candy apples, local farmers & crafters.  -  October 3 – 5, 2025  
• Bala Cranberry Festival —A long-standing fall tradition with food, entertainment, local goods, and cranberries everywhere.  The weekend after Canadian Thanksgiving. Friday, October 17 – Sunday, October 19, 2025  
• “Muskoka: Home of the Stars” — October 17 to November 8, 2025. 
• Muskoka Fall Holistic Healing Fair - Wellness vendors, mind & body rejuvenation, lots of holistic themes -Saturday, October 18, 2025  
• Colourful Eats & Oktoberfest Muskoka - Culinary & beer festival across participating restaurants & breweries in Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Lake of Bays etc - October 25 - 26, 2025  
• Muskoka Marathon - A running event around Bracebridge / Santa’s Village area; great for active visitors. Friday October 5, 2025
• Local markets and craft fairs, often weekend-based, plus scenic drives / tours timed for peak colour. Muskoka Must-Do Fall Events include things like the Honey Bee Festival, Muskoka Marathon, etc. 

Best Spots for Fall Colours

• Along the lakes (Lake Rosseau, Lake Joseph, Lake Muskoka) — shoreline views, reflections
• Muskoka’s “Cranberry Route” – A self-guided driving loop through cranberry marshes, local farms, artisan shops, and cider/beer spots, combining scenery + local flavour.  
• Hardy Lake, Huckleberry Rock Lookout - A moderate hike with one of the most dramatic vantage points in Muskoka. Panoramic views of treetops, especially over Lake Muskoka, make for gorgeous autumn photos.  
• Steamship Cruises on “Big Three” Lakes (Lake Rosseau, Lake Joseph, Lake Muskoka) – The Peerless II cruise or similar tours are ideal for relaxing and viewing fall colours from the water.  
• Algonquin Provincial Park (drive & trails along Highway 60 corridor) — rich maple, birch stands. 

Top Hiking & Canoe Trails

•  Arrowhead Provincial Park: Stubb’s Falls Trail, Big Bend Lookout Trail, Mayflower Lake Trail – a mix of easier walks and lookout-style hikes.  
• Limbertost Forest & Wildlife Reserve (near Huntsville) – forested trails, peaceful, beautiful in fall.  
• Strawberry Point Trail (Bracebridge) – for those who want moderate-length hikes with rewarding views.  
• Trails in Muskoka Lakes: Hardy Lake Trail, Huckleberry Rock Lookout Trail.
• Canoeing: Many lakes are ideal; early morning/late afternoon for calm water. Explore inlet bays & smaller waterways.

Top Golf Courses

• The Rock Golf Course (Near Lake Rosseau) — Nick Faldo design, beautiful granite outcroppings shorelines & hardwoods, challenging & beautiful.
• The Lake Joseph Club — premium play, scenic vistas. 
• Windermere Golf & Country Club — well-loved, serene setting. 
• Deerhurst highlands Golf Course (Huntsville) -  A championship par-72; meanders through woods and granite; strong visual appeal especially as leaves change.  Full amenities. 
• Muskoka Bay Club (Gravenhurst) - Doug Carrick design; dramatic elevation changes, rugged terrain, views; rated in top public golf courses in Muskoka.  
• Manitou Ridge - More rugged, less heavily trafficked, offers great vistas with fall colour; good mix of challenge + beauty.  
• Bigwin Island Golf Club - Unique island setting; essentially a course you reach via lake / dock or ferry; spectacular fall views. 
• Taboo Muskoka - Another well-regarded course in the Muskoka region known for its setting.  

Bancroft

Fall Events 2025

• Events in Bancroft often align with harvest fairs and local arts; check Bancroft Ridge and village calendars. (Specific dates to be confirmed locally as many are community-based.)

Best Spots for Fall Colours

• Silent Lake Provincial Park — mixed forest and multiple trails; colours are brilliant in mid-October. 
• Eagle’s Nest Park — lookout views over the York River Valley. 
• The many roads, lakes & ridges around Bancroft — especially accessible in early-to-mid October.

Top Hiking & Canoe Trails

• Silent Lake’s network of trails; lakeside loops & forest walks. 
• Smaller creek or river paddles; depending on water levels, canoeing in surrounding natural waterways.

Top Golf Courses

• Bancroft Ridge Golf Club — 18-hole semi-private course, beautiful natural setting, and wildlife often visible. 

Simcoe

Fall Events 2025

• Many fall fairs in Simcoe / surrounding areas (see Ontario Fall Fairs listing) on weekends in September & early October. 
• Local harvest festivals & autumn markets are common through mid-October.

Best Spots for Fall Colours

• Georgian Bay shoreline & islands — water + hardwood mix = spectacular reflections.
• Escarpment overlooks, conservation areas.
• Rural roads with valleys and mixed forest, especially inland from the lake.

Top Hiking & Canoe Trails

• Trails in provincial parks and conservation reserves; check local trail associations for seasonal access.
• Canoe/routes on inland lakes early in the morning.

Top Golf Courses

• There are a number of strong courses; courses near Simcoe with rolling terrain & water features. (Local golf directories have good picks.)

Parry Sound

Fall Events 2025

• Sandhill Nursery Fall Festival — September 13 to October 26, 2025. 
• Parry Sound Bee & Honey Festival — Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Kinsmen Centennial Park, Parry Sound. 
• Terry Little’s Autumn Fiddle Fest — Saturday, October 25, 2025, 7:00 pm at the Stockey Centre. 
• Parry Sound Girlfriends Weekend — November 14-16, 2025.  
• Local fall fairs and harvest festivals, arts nights, maybe music events in Parry Sound town.
• Seasonal golf tournaments & fundraisers, often early fall.  

Best Spots for Fall Colours

• Parry Sound shoreline & islands — especially from viewpoints on water or lookouts over Georgian Bay.  Smaller bays and inlets reflect colour perfectly. Rugged rock + deciduous forest makes for contrast. (Lookout points along Hwy or lakeside roads.)
• Inland ridges, forests, and hiking/bush trails around the district.

Top Hiking & Canoe Trails

• Trails in the Parry Sound District Conservation Authority; explore smaller trail networks around the lakes.
• Some of the popular trails: Lookout Point Trail, Lighthouse Point Trail, Twin Points Trail, Rugged Trail, Rose Point Recreational Trail. 
• Canoeing in quieter bays of Georgian Bay, or in inland lakes

Top Golf Courses

• Parry Sound Golf & Country Club — 18-hole, Thomas McBroom design; challenge + beautiful setting near Georgian Bay. 
• Seguin Valley Golf Club — dramatic routing, wilderness setting, excellent vistas & holes that use natural terrain well. 
• The Ridge at Manitou (also called Manitou Ridge Golf & Country) — luxury, out-and-back routing, forest & lake views, one of the top rated in the area.  

Planning Tips & Timing

• Peak colours usually occur from late September through mid-October in these regions, though timing shifts a bit earlier in higher elevation or colder night areas.

• Weekends (especially after Labour Day and leading into October) tend to be busiest; mid-week or early mornings are best for quiet, clean views.

• Check for local event calendars for cancellation or change, especially for smaller community events.

• For hikes & canoe outings, plan for cooler mornings and dress in layers; water access levels may vary.

Fall in cottage country is more than just leaf-peeping—it’s about slowing down, breathing in crisp air, savouring falling light, and connecting with nature. Whatever area you choose, I’m confident October 2025 will deliver beauty, adventure, and warm memories.

If you are considering buying or selling in Ontario's cottage country I am here to help and answer any questions you may have.  Please contact me at your convenience to discuss how I can assist you in your move.