The Quick Answer
Thanksgiving Monday falls on October 12 this year, and it is the last long weekend of the riding season for a lot of Canadians. The good news: the colour is still out there, you just have to ride a little further south than you might think. Algonquin Park's sugar maples peaked in late September, so the best fall colour this weekend is in the band below it: Haliburton, the Kawarthas and Eastern Ontario, Quebec's southern regions, and New Brunswick. Wherever you ride, buy the right trail pass first. Almost every organized trail system in Canada needs one, and rangers are out on long weekends.
Where the colour is right now: Algonquin Park staff reported peak maple colour at the end of September, close to the park's long-term average peak of around September 27. Poplar and aspen turn yellow in early October, and tamarack turns gold around mid-October. Lower, warmer areas south of Algonquin peak later, which is why Thanksgiving riding usually lines up best with Haliburton, the Kawarthas and Eastern Ontario.Ontario: The Best Trail Systems for Thanksgiving Colour
Ontario has more organized ATV trail than almost anywhere in the country, but it is split between several associations, each with its own pass. Here are the systems that line up best with the colour this weekend.
| Trail System | Area | Why Ride It Now | Pass From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance (EOTA) | Tweed, Bancroft, Sharbot Lake, north of Belleville to Pembroke | Close to 3,000 km of connected rail trail, forest roads and bush trail through hardwood country. Ride from Tweed to Bancroft entirely off road. | EOTA (thetrail.ca) |
| Kawartha ATV Association (KATVA) | Fenelon Falls, Kinmount, Burnt River | Easy rail trail on the Victoria Rail Trail plus relaxed bush trail in The Pinery, with heritage stops like the Boiler in the Bush. | KATVA |
| Haliburton County ATV Association (HATVA) | Minden, Haliburton Highlands | Highlands maple forest and lookouts. Anson Mountain is an expert climb that ends at a lookout over the colour. | HATVA |
| Voyageur Multi-Use Trail System (VMUTS) | Mattawa, along the Ottawa River | Over 300 km of trail with Ottawa River views. Further north, so colour may be past peak, but the river valley holds it longer. | OFATV |
| Ganaraska Forest | North of Port Hope, about an hour from Toronto | The closest big forest to the GTA, with its own day user fee. A good choice if you only have one day. | Ganaraska Forest Centre |
EOTA sells daily, weekly and annual passes for ATVs and dirt bikes. It has listed them at $20 a day, $75 a week and $150 a year, but confirm the current price before you go. KATVA, HATVA and the OFATV clubs each sell their own permits, and the Park to Park Trail Association has its own pass too. If your route crosses from one system to another, check whether you need a second pass. When in doubt, call the local club.
Expert vs easy: pick the right trail for your group
A family on a youth ATV and a pair of riders on 1000 cc side by sides want very different weekends. KATVA's Victoria Rail Trail and The Pinery are wide and forgiving. KATVA's trail called The 96 and HATVA's Anson Mountain are tight, rocky and steep, with bog and water crossings. If you are bringing a newer rider, stay on rail trail and marked intermediate routes. Note that the Victoria Rail Trail has a 9 p.m. curfew.
Quebec: 33,000 km of Federated Trail
Quebec has the largest connected quad network in the country. The Fédération québécoise des clubs quads (FQCQ) lists more than 33,000 km of federated trails across every region of the province. For Thanksgiving weekend colour, the regions closest to Ontario and the US border, such as the Laurentides, Lanaudière, the Outaouais and the Eastern Townships, are your best bet, because they turn later than areas further north.
Quebec has stricter rules than most provinces, so arrive prepared:
- A right of access (droit d'accès) or day pass. It is mandatory on federated trails. Buy an annual pass online through the FQCQ or from a local club, or buy a day pass.
- Certificate of registration for the machine.
- Proof of at least $500,000 in liability insurance.
- Proof of age and any required training certificate.
- A rental contract or loan letter if the machine is not yours.
Riding over from Ontario? Rules change at the border. Read our guide to ATV rules when you cross a provincial border before you load the trailer.
New Brunswick: Over 10,000 km of Trail
Tourism New Brunswick says the province has more than 10,000 km of ATV trail along coastlines, mountains, forests and streams. The northern Chaleur region in particular markets itself as a quad destination. QuadNB is the provincial federation and the place to get permits and trail maps. Its maps show shelters, campgrounds, fuel, food and even cell coverage, which is very useful on a long fall ride when the days are short. A trail permit is required on managed trails.
Alberta: McLean Creek, West of Calgary
For riders in southern Alberta, the McLean Creek Off-Highway Vehicle Public Land Use Zone in Kananaskis Country is the go-to. It covers 202 square kilometres of designated OHV trails and roads, just west of Calgary. Larch in the Rockies turns gold in late September and early October, so colour at higher elevations may be fading by now, but the riding is still good.
Know the rules before you go. OHVs must stay on trails designated for their type and size and on the trail tread. Motorized users yield to hikers and bikers, and everyone yields to horses. Adults camping overnight outside the provincial recreation area campgrounds need a Public Lands Camping Pass. McLean Creek is also bear country and a hunting area in the fall, so stay alert.
Fall Riding Checklist
October riding is fantastic, but it is not the same as July. Daylight ends early, trails get slick, and the temperature drops fast once the sun goes behind the hills.
| Fall Hazard | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Short days | Plan to be back at the truck an hour before sunset. Check your headlights and carry a headlamp. |
| Wet leaves | A carpet of leaves hides rocks, roots and holes and is slippery on rail trail and bridge decks. Slow down on corners. |
| Cold | Dress in layers with a windproof outer layer. Bring warm gloves and a balaclava, even if it is mild at the trailhead. |
| Hunting season | Wear blaze orange, stay on marked trails and keep noise and speed reasonable near hunt camps. |
| Crowds | Long weekends are the busiest days on the trail. Expect oncoming traffic on blind corners and keep right. |
- Buy your trail pass before you unload. Have it on the machine or on your phone.
- Carry registration and proof of insurance. Rangers check on long weekends.
- Download an offline map. Cell service drops off in most trail country.
- Check tire pressure, brakes and the battery. A cold night can drain a weak battery.
- Tell someone your route and when you expect to be back.
- Pack a basic kit: tow strap, tire plug kit, small first aid kit, water and a snack.
Riding near hunt camps this weekend? Read our guide to riding Canadian trails in hunting season. And when the colour is gone and the machine is going into storage, follow our winterizing guide for ATVs and UTVs.
Find More Trails on MudWheelz
Browse our Canadian trail directory or go straight to ATV trails in Ontario. If your local club or favourite fall loop is missing, you can submit a trail and we will add it. If this weekend has you thinking about upgrading your machine, see what is for sale in used side by sides across Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do fall colours peak in Ontario?
Algonquin Park's sugar maples usually peak around the last week of September. Areas further south, including Haliburton, the Kawarthas and Eastern Ontario, usually peak later, from early to mid-October. Tamarack turns gold around mid-October.
Do I need a trail pass to ride ATV trails in Ontario?
Yes, on almost all organized trail systems. Ontario's trails are run by different associations, including OFATV clubs, EOTA, KATVA, HATVA and Park to Park, and each one sells its own pass. Check which system your route uses before you go.
How much is an EOTA trail pass?
The Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance sells daily, weekly and annual passes for ATVs and dirt bikes. It has listed them at $20 for a day, $75 for a week and $150 for a year. Confirm current pricing with EOTA before you ride.
How many kilometres of quad trail does Quebec have?
The FQCQ lists more than 33,000 km of federated quad trail across all regions of Quebec. Riders need a right of access or a day pass, registration, proof of $500,000 in liability insurance and any required training certificate.
Where can I ride an ATV near Calgary?
The McLean Creek Off-Highway Vehicle Public Land Use Zone in Kananaskis Country, just west of Calgary, covers 202 square kilometres of designated OHV trails and roads. Stay on designated trails, and buy a Public Lands Camping Pass if you camp outside the provincial recreation area campgrounds.
Is it safe to ride ATV trails during hunting season?
Yes, with care. Wear blaze orange, stay on marked trails, keep your speed and noise down near hunt camps, and be aware of local hunting seasons. Many trails pass through Crown land where hunting is permitted in the fall.
Trail conditions, pass prices, rules and fall colour timing change from year to year and week to week. Always confirm current passes, closures and regulations with the trail association or provincial authority before you ride, and ride within your skill level.
