When traveling in Canada this fall season, don’t miss out on all the natural beauty that the country has to offer. Explore Canada – a country whose residents harbour a natural passion for the outdoors. When you visit, it will be easy to see why.

Point Pelee National Park, Ontario
Located just 50 kilometres southeast of Windsor, Ont., in the most southern tip of Canada, lies this incredible natural oasis. Point Pelee attracts more than 400,000 visitors each year. People travel from far and wide each fall to witness the natural phenomenon that occurs as the monarch butterflies make Point Pelee their a temporary home as they migrate to their final destination in central Mexico.

Point Pelee National Park becomes a stopover for the bright orange and black monarch butterflies because of the availability of the monarch’s food plant – the milkweed. The milkweed plant has been said to have its origins in the tropical areas of Mexico, and as both the monarch butterfly and the milkweed plant evolved, the range was extended to the southern regions of Ontario.

Start out early in the morning, and you may be delighted by thousands of butterflies hanging from the trees as they await favourable conditions for their lake crossing.

“Pelee Island is a paradise for naturalists with many species of southern plants rare for Canada found only on the island,” says Bob Bowles, president of Bowles Environmental Consultants and Nature Tours, who has been introducing groups to the wonders of Pelee Island for more than 15 years. “Several species of hawks can also be seen moving south in the autumn. It is a special place with something to see during all seasons of the year.”

The autumn is a wonderful time for families to come to the park and take in the spectacular fall colours as they travel on the Centennial Trail. This 4-kilometre path provides cyclists with a safe roadway, free from traffic, as they take in the delightful sights of the season.

For a leisurely afternoon, pack a lunch and choose from one of seven picnic areas scattered throughout the park. Equipped with year-round picnic shelters, some containing wood-burning stoves, hydro and washroom facilities, they provide a great spot to take a break.

Point Pelee is a wonderful place to visit year round. With its beautiful, pristine beaches and picturesque countryside, there is always something to do and see at Point Pelee National Park.

Agawa Canyon Wilderness Park, Ontario
Agawa Canyon, located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., is yet another favourite for tourists wanting to take in the breathtaking colours of autumn.

It is here that you will be able to explore Canada’s wilderness aboard the Agawa Canyon Tour Train that takes you approximately 114 miles north of the city of Sault Ste. Marie. This amazing journey will transport you through granite rock formations, by lakes and rivers and through various forests of the Canadian Shield – all in one day!

“In the fall, go north in Ontario,” says Lorna Blackburn of Brampton, Ont. “Sault Ste. Marie has a train that rides north to Agawa Canyon, and in the fall, it is the most glorious site. You go for the whole day, and it stops so you can get out and have lunch, then it turns around and heads back.”

There are plenty of picnic areas and walking trails within the park. On the two-hour stopover, a visitor can enjoy the beautiful scenery and follow the trails to four spectacular waterfalls located inside the park.

Otter Creek trail, one of the trails within the park, is named for its proximity to Creek Falls. The smallest of the four waterfalls in the park, Otter Creek Falls measures 13.7 metres in height.

One of the most popular trails is The Lookout Trail. This trail rises to over 76 metres above the tracks. Follow it to the top to discover the most breathtaking, panoramic view of the entire Canyon. There are large platforms at the top of the long wooden stairs that allow you to take a breather before absorbing the depth of the beauty before you.

No matter which trail you choose along the way, you will not be disappointed. Be sure to bring along a camera, sunscreen and comfortable shoes for your journey into one of the most memorable trips of your lifetime.

Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.)
The crescent moon-shaped island, located in the southern end of the Gulf of St. Lawrence is known for its lush lands, earning it the nickname of The Garden of the Gulf.

The unique landscape that combines forest and sea is a spectacular sight during the autumn season as the hills become ablaze with fiery reds and gingery oranges. Throw in a splash of the vibrant yellows of the poplar, birch and beech trees, and it becomes a pallet of amazing colours.

When bringing your family to P.E.I., be sure to make time to visit the Green Gables House in Cavendish. Prince Edward Island is famous as the setting for the book Anne of Green Gables by author Lucy Maud Montgomery. Continue your tour with a visit to the exhibit in the P.E.I. Visitor Information Centre at Gateway Village, where you will find information about the province along with some interactive displays to delight the children.

While touring western P.E.I. this fall, be sure to make a stop at the Mill River Provincial Park. With paddling, tennis, golf facilities and more, there is sure to be an activity to fit every member of the family. The West Point Lighthouse is a must; be sure to take the trek to the top to take in the incredible view.

To find out more about the Island’s native Micmac culture, be sure to visit Lennox Island. The largest of three reserves where most of the Micmac people live can be found here at Lennox Island.

Whatever you decide to do while visiting Canada’s smallest province, you won’t be disappointed.

Moose Mountain Provincial Park, Saskatchewan
One of the largest parks in the province of Saskatchewan, this park is the perfect place for young families. Located approximately two hours from the capital city of Regina, the park is equipped with a full range of amenities for tourists of any age.

Moose Mountain covers close to 400 square kilometers and is a treasured height of 150 metres high in a vast area known for prairie landscape. Here you will find lush forests, rolling hills and more than 400 ponds that were formed after the last Ice Age as glaciers receded.

The main tourist area is on Kenosee Lake. Here you can choose from a wide variety of accommodations including cabins and motels. For the family looking for larger accommodations, check out the huge resort.

There are two simple hiking trails that have been established within the park that are suitable for all family members. The trail that follows the marshy lakeshore at Kenosee Lake is a delight for those looking to discover new wildlife. Pintail ducks, blue-winged teal and many other species of waterfowl are attracted to these vast wetlands.

Canada is a nature-lover’s paradise. Families searching for a getaway this fall are sure to be delighted by all the nature and beauty that is found from coast to coast. Plan a weekend hike or take an extended trip, and explore all that is beautiful about Canada this fall.

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