Georgian Bay Fall Colours and Ecology

The surrounding waters of Georgian Bay provide a moderating effect that sometimes delays the onset of fall colours. Georgian Bay is well know for the apple growing communities around Meaford and Thornbury and the fall is a perfect apple picking time.

A start to your Georgian Bay fall colour tours with the family could start at Midland's Veteran's Waterfront Park and the Scouts Arboretum. A beautiful trail for biking, hiking, or walking runs along the Midland shoreline. One of the outstanding features of this park area is the waterfront rehabilitation put into place by the Town of Midland and the Severn Sound Environmental Association. One can see a naturalized shoreline with fall colours showing with the Staghorn Sumac and High Bush Cranberry.

Fall Festival Activities in Watersheds Leading To Georgian Bay

One of the most significant watersheds leading to Georgian Bay is the Nottawasaga River and its many tributaries. The Wye River is also a major provider of fresh water to Georgian Bay.
Combine a little canoeing this weekend with a visit to two
popular Festivals, the Wye Marsh Rythms Festival which includes free canoe rides (see photo) in a large voyageur canoe.

The Nine Mile Portage Festival in Barrie and Fort Willow (Minesing)--bring your own canoe and travel into the Minesing Wetlands, as the explorers did more than 400 years ago. (This was a short cut to Georgian Bay, compared to canoeing up through Orillia, the Severn and back down to the Midland area and the settlement at Sanite Marie among the Hurons.

See Midland and Barrie for area accommodation. Or select a road trip from a selection of fall colour road trips north of Toronto.

Fall Colours starting to show around Georgian Bay

The recent update from the Ministry of Tourism Fall Colour report on Friday 14, 2007 indicates Wasaga Beach area is showing just a 5% colour change. The Collingwood area is just starting to see splashes of colour around the Scenic Caves. Some splashes of colour are showing along the roadside and on the canopies in Simcoe County leading to Georgian Bay.
Information on the most current color changes north of Toronto see Fall Colour Progression Report.
See information on fall colour drives for road trip suggestions, accommodation and attractions including fall fairs, festivals and studio tours.

More information on fall getaways around the Georgian Bay area see Georgian Bay Eco Museum.