Get out and explore fall colours with OnStar

October 6, 2021

Get out and explore fall colours with OnStar

October 6, 2021

With the added peace of mind of OnStar, you can enjoy the great outdoors this fall and the view of changing leaf colours

If there’s a consolation prize to the end of summer, it’s the magnificent explosion of colours all over Canada’s countryside as the leaves begin to turn. Green turns to yellow, orange and red during peak fall colour season, inspiring many families to head out for the fun pastime known as leaf peeping.

Whether you’re a seasoned peeper who can identify any leaf at a glance, or an amateur who likes to snap a few family pictures against the season’s spectacular colour palette, there’s a spot across Canada for you this fall. And you rarely have to travel far to see dramatic foilage — even within urban areas. For instance, there are often fantastic views on display at the Edmonton River Valley Parks.

But if you’re eager to get away from home for a day or weekend trip to see fall colours, it pays to do a little planning ahead of time. Some agencies publish online updates of how the leaves are changing, such as this map from Ontario Parks. You can also usually find information about foliage conditions on local tourist board websites or social media.

To get your inspiration flowing for a leaf peeping trip farther afield, here are four truly incredible, must-see destinations. Just be sure to act fast if you’re planning to travel: the best fall colours typically only last weeks, and by the end of October, the kaleidoscopic views are coming to an end.

Fundy Coastal Drive

This 460-kilometre scenic route along the Bay of Fundy coastline in New Brunswick offers up spectacular spots for seeing a full array of different colours as the leaves change. Drive a couple sections of the route, or turn it into a multi-day adventure, and take advantage of all the many opportunities to pull over and get out of the car, whether it’s for adorable local stores or to explore the parks along the way.

Go Leaf Peeping with OnStar: Bay of Fundy.

The Bay of Fundy offers an incredible assortment of beautiful fall views.

Nelson and Kootenay Lake

Nelson and other communities around Kootenay Lake in British Columbia are picture-perfect. Nestled among forests and mountains, there are incredible views of golden, orange and red leaves on display as the trees begin to turn. Plus, there are an assortment of cafés, restaurants and shops to browse when you need a break after a day of leaf peeping.

Go Leaf Peeping with OnStar: Kootenay Lake.

The areas around the Purcell Mountains, near Kootenay Lake, offer hiking, camping and amazing fall colours.

Banff National Park

With turquoise lakes, the majesty of the Rocky Mountains and over 1,600 kilometres of maintained trails to explore, Alberta’s Banff National Park offers a myriad of opportunities to get up close with nature. In fall, that means impressive views of changing foliage colours in a setting that’s about as far out of the ordinary as you can get.

Banff is spectacular at any time of year, but especially so in fall.

Cabot Trail

In Nova Scotia, leaf peepers can try the 298-kilometre Cabot Trail that weaves its way through the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The views from the roadway can be spectacular any time of year, but especially as the leaves begin to change colour. Of course, for an even better adventure, pull over and check out the many small towns, hiking trails and camp grounds, all of which will provide visitors even more opportunities to observe the vibrant foliage.

Nearly every part of the Cabot Trail provides beautiful views. Here, the Cap-Rouge offers a gorgeous palette of leaf colours.

How OnStar can help

No matter how carefully you plan, the unexpected can still happen on any drive — especially with the often-changing weather of the leaf peeping season. Fortunately, OnStar Members have added peace of mind knowing they’ve got OnStar* on their side. If you’re involved in a crash, for instance, Automatic Crash Response* can notify a specially trained Advisor, who can direct assistance to your location. And if you encounter an issue like a flat tire, dead battery or any other problem requiring a tow, Roadside Assistance* is just a button-push away. Learn more about what to do when you need Roadside Assistance.

OnStar helps member with Roadside Assistance.

Hike with a Guardian

Oftentimes, travelling on foot is the best way to get into the woods for the best, most hidden fall colour views. When you’re walking or hiking away from your vehicle, you can still bring along key OnStar safety services right on your phone, thanks to the OnStar Guardian™ app.* It includes features like Mobile Crash Response,* the ability to share your location with up to seven friends or family members,* and access to an OnStar Emergency-Certified Advisor* in case of the unexpected. Learn more about the Guardian app.

Keep everyone comfy

Need to warm up at the end of a chilly day exploring in the outdoors? With an active Connected Services plan,* you can use your vehicle mobile app* to remotely start your vehicle* as you head back to the parking lot. Or, if you want to find somewhere to grab hot cocoa or a warm snack, simply push your blue OnStar button and ask an Advisor for directions* — we’ve got a database of over 1 million points of interest. Bringing the whole family along for your leaf peeping adventure? We’ve got some tips to make travelling with kids easier and more fun for everyone.