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Lake Simcoe Fall Colour Routes

Barrie is the perfect starting point for Simcoe County-Lake Simcoe road trip. Travel to Barrie via Highway 400 or Highway 11 and make this a focal point for backroad trips.  This is a “close to Toronto Day Trip”  destination for GTA residents or a trip that could easily evolve into a Barrie hotel or resort stay depending on your time.

Barrie, Orillia, Georgina Fall Colours

Trips start in Barrie with a circle option back to Barrie. We offer several options with side trips on back roads including spectacular fall colour maple sugar bush areas in Simoce County such as Alliston, Horseshoe Valley, Orillia, Wasaga Beach, Elmvale and Minesing with recommended events, festivals and fall fairs. The south east side of Lake Simcoe, Sutton and Jackson’s Point in Georgina Township are must see destinations and will lead you back to the GTA.

Lake Simcoe Fall Colours Circle Tour

Driving Directions: One of the interesting fall colour routes close to Toronto is a tour around Lake Simcoe using a combination of Highway 400, Highway 11, and a number of side roads that take your through Barrie, Orillia, Lagoon City, Beaverton, Sutton, Keswick, Holland Landing. This tour route can be started on the East Side of Lake Simcoe, or the West Side going north. For latest fall colour changes please see Fall Colours Leaf Change Central Ontario

Barrie To Elmvale, Wasaga Beach Return via Minesing Fall Colours

Driving Directions: From Highway 400, Take Highway 27 North (Bayfield exit) through Barrie to Elmvale. At the junction of 92 and 27 in Elmvale turn left on to Simcoe Road 92, proceed all the way to Wasaga Beach. When leaving Wasaga Beach take Highway 26 (South & East) to Minesing. Turn right on the George Johnston Road which proceeds south to Highway 90, turn left at Highway 90 and return to Barrie by going East on Highway 90. Recommended Side Trip: Tiny Beaches Road to Balm Beach (turn right at Simcoe Road 29) and drive to Tiny Beaches Road which runs along Georgian Bay to Midland. For latest fall colour changes please see Fall Colours Leaf Change Central Ontario.

Barrie to Horseshoe Valley to Orillia Return to Barrie Fall Colours Route

Driving Directions: Take Highway 400 past Barrie to Simcoe Road 22 (The Horseshoe Valley Road) drive to Craighurst, Horseshoe Valley, Coulson, Jarratt to Highway 12 where Horseshoe Valley Road ends. Take Highway 27 North (Bayfield exit) through Barrie to Simcoe Road 22 (The Horseshoe Valley Road) turn right through Craighurst, Horseshoe Valley, Coulson, Jarratt to Highway 12. Turn right at Highway 12 and proceed East to Orillia. Upon leaving Orillia, take Highway 11, South to Barrie, or take the Old Barrie Road (Ridge Road) and work your way towards the Lake for a combination of great water views and colourful shorelines. For latest fall colour (color) changes please see Fall Colours Leaf Change Central Ontario

See the complete Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Recreation Fall Colour (colors) Report
A number of fall drives, travel routes, circle tours, regional Ontario travel and tourism association routes, and suggested Ministry of Tourism great fall drives have been identified in addition to the fall drives and road trips above. 

Lake Simcoe Tourism Regions

Lake Simcoe tourism encompasses the regions of Simcoe County, Durham, York Region and the Kawarthas. The major Cities of Orillia and Barrie are right on Lake Simcoe. Visitors with boats are encouraged to get out on the water for spectacular views or visit a Lake Simcoe Park along the waterway to get the mix of the blues with the traditional fall reds, yellows, and orange maple leaf changes. 

ToDoOntarioLake Simcoe Fall Colour Routes

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