Chasing Colours: My 2025 Fall Photography Road Trip

📍 Stop 1: Burleigh Falls — Always Worth It

My first stop was Burleigh Falls — one of those spots I never get tired of. In the spring it’s roaring, in the fall it’s peaceful — and I had it almost to myself this time.

Yes, the light was harsh (full sun, not a cloud in sight), but a little editing magic brought the sky to life. Even after a dry summer, the colours were coming in beautifully.

• 🍁 Fall Colour Change: ~60%

• 🍂 Leaf Fall: 20%

📍 Stop 2: Paudash Lake — Granite, Colour & Wind

Just before I rolled into Bancroft, Paudash Lake grabbed my attention. I’ve shot here before, but something about the light — and the wind! — made me throw the drone up. The water was textured and choppy, but the colours? Unreal.

A bit of background: Paudash is part of the Canadian Shield, carved by glaciers, and rich with Indigenous and settler history. Named after Chief George Paudash, this rugged area is full of pink granite cliffs, dense forests, and wildlife — from moose to loons.

• 🍁 Fall Colour Change: ~60%

• 🍂 Leaf Fall: 20%

📍 Stop 3: Haliburton & Dorset — The Scenic Sweet Spot

I always wish I had more time in Haliburton. The roads twist through granite cliffs, hardwood forests, and the kind of scenery that makes traffic feel like a blessing.

Quick stop in Dorset — skipped the tower this year (they’re charging $20 just to climb!), but got the drone up instead. Windy or not, Lake of Bays from above never disappoints.

Fun fact: Dorset used to be called Cedar Narrows, and was a big logging hub. Today it’s all classic cottage-country charm and Robinson’s General Store, which some call “Canada’s Best Country Store.”

• 🍁 Fall Colour Change: ~35%

• 🍂 Leaf Fall: 25%

📍 Stop 4: Algonquin Park — The Main Event

If you’ve done the Highway 60 corridor in the fall, you know. The colours hit different here.

Even though drone flights aren’t allowed inside the park, there’s a great legal launch spot just before the West Gate with amazing views of the Oxtongue River.

I also made a pit stop at Lake of Two Rivers Café — and yes, I paid $35 for a chicken sandwich (🤯). Then I hiked over to Ragged Falls, one of Ontario’s most iconic waterfalls.

• 🍁 Fall Colour Change: 100%

• 🍂 Leaf Fall: 30%

📍 Stop 5: Whitney — Don’t Just Drive By

As you exit (or enter) Algonquin’s East Gate, you pass through Whitney, Ontario — and while most treat it as a pit stop, I think it deserves more love.

Whitney is steeped in logging history (dating back to the 1890s), and it sits on the Madawaska River. There are old rail trails, cozy places to eat, an LCBO, gas stations, and even a playground.

But the real magic? The people. There’s something about northern hospitality that just hits different. Every trip north, I’m reminded how friendly strangers can be. (And yes, I still apologize to trees when I bump into them 😂.)

Whitney isn’t just a gateway — it’s part of the adventure. Slow down and explore it next time.

Final Thoughts: Snap, Drive, Repeat

This trip is always a bit of a marathon — lots of “snap and go,” drone launches, and hauling gear in and out of the car. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Fall in Ontario just feels magical.

If you’ve never done this route, add it to your list:

🛣️ Route Summary:
Burleigh Falls → Paudash Lake → Haliburton → Dorset → Algonquin → Whitney

🍂 Fall Colour Status Recap: