Canada’s first national urban park is in Toronto and it transforms in autumn

Alright, fall enthusiasts. Your time has come. While we love to explore fall around Ontario, we don’t have to venture too far from Toronto to see the vibrant colours of the season. If you want to explore in our own backyard, Parks Canada has shared some of the prettiest fall drives in the Rouge National Urban Park, so let’s check them out.

The Rouge National Urban Park is actually the first national urban park in Canada.

Located in the Greater Toronto Area, the park is home to “forests, creeks, farms and trails as well as marshland, a beach on Lake Ontario and human history spanning 10,000 years.”

There is also wildlife here, including black bears.

The park itself borders the cities of Toronto, Markham and Pickering and the Township of Uxbridge, and it has many points of entry.

Scenic drives in Rouge National Urban Park

“Although there are lots of things to see and do in Rouge National Urban Park all year round, there is something special about autumn,” says Parks Canada.

“It inspires us to get outside and explore, and to take in the spectacle of the gorgeous autumn colours.”

It adds that “spanning almost 80 km, there are so many spots in the park to see the fall colours.”

Parks Canada suggests following the roads for a fun road trip.

First up is 19th Avenue in Markham and Stouffville.

This is in the north end of the park, where the country road “embodies autumn.” The rural drive has views of fall harvest, and there’s a 19th Avenue Day Use Area that overlooks farm fields, as well as the downtown Toronto skyline.

Reesor Road in Markham is next, south of 19th Avenue. This road is said to run through “the heart of the park” and is a great way to see the colours of leaves turning all shades of gold during fall.

“Keep an eye out on your right for views of the Toronto city skyline and the CN tower peaking through the plentiful rolling fields,” they add.

And as you head further south, you will get to the winding road of Old Finch Ave in Scarborough, which borders the Toronto Zoo.

While it is in the city, this area feels like the countryside with large trees surrounding you, in all their autumn glory. Following that, you’ll be heading to Glen Eagles Vista, which you may not believe is in the City of Toronto.

This area of the park has great views of the bluffs with all the fall colours.

There awaits a beloved trail that offers panoramic views of the Little Rouge Creek and Rouge River throughout the year. “In the fall, burnt orange, red, and yellow colours bespeckle the landscape, offering awe-inspiring photo opportunities,” says the Park.

And finally, you’ll get to The 11th Concession in Markham, which is breathtaking during the autumn season.

“Trees envelope each side of this charming country road,” making it an unforgettable fall drive.

While the Rouge is open 365 days a year, fall is truly a stunning time to visit.

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Taylor Lucas

Associate Editor – Taylor is a Toronto-based journalist with a passion for storytelling. Whether chasing a story, writing, or editing, she brings a creative spin to the media world and has a blast doing it. Taylor brings years of journalism experience in sports, local/national news, and entertainment. In her spare time, you can typically find Taylor trying out a new restaurant or cocktail bar, cooking, golfing or binge-watching true crime documentaries.

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