Fall in Montreal doesn’t ask you to go far. You can chase the color without driving for hours: two of these spots are right in the city, one sits just across the river, and even the farthest, Oka, is under an hour away by car.

The leaves are only part of the draw. Each stop comes with plenty to do around it, from cycling or paddling the islands at Boucherville, to wandering past the lakes, the orchard and the historic mill at Mont-Saint-Bruno, to climbing the Calvaire trail before a walk on the beach at Oka. Closer to home, you can picnic in Parc La Fontaine or take the trails up Mount Royal.

Here are five places to chase the color, from a park in the middle of the city to a beach under an hour away.

1. Parc La Fontaine

One of Montreal’s most loved city parks, in the heart of the Plateau-Mont-Royal and a favorite spot for a picnic. It’s the easiest fall color stop on this list, no car needed, with the Sherbrooke metro station nearby.

Address: Parc La Fontaine, between Sherbrooke Street, Parc-La Fontaine Avenue, Rachel Street and Papineau Avenue, Montreal, QC
Vibe/Ambiance: Relaxed neighborhood green space in the middle of the city
Website: ville.montreal.qc.ca/grandsparcs

2. Mount Royal Park

A trail covered in orange leaves, right in the city. Mount Royal is the mountain that, by most accounts, gave Montreal its name. Walk it or run it?

Address: Chalet du Mont-Royal, 1196 Voie Camillien-Houde, Montreal, QC H3H 1A1
Vibe/Ambiance: Urban forest escape, easygoing and scenic
Website: ville.montreal.qc.ca/grandsparcs

3. Îles-de-Boucherville National Park

Golden reeds against a big sky. Five islands sit in the St. Lawrence River, just a few kilometres from downtown Montreal. This one is better for warm tones and open light than for forest color. With a 21 km cycling path and channels to explore by water, the question is simple: bike or paddle?

Address: 55 Île Sainte-Marguerite, Boucherville, QC J4B 5J6
Vibe/Ambiance: Open, breezy, and wide-skied
Website: sepaq.com

4. Mont-Saint-Bruno National Park

Ferns burned gold and orange against a yellow forest. The park is about 30 minutes by car from downtown, with five lakes and close to 30 km of easy to intermediate trails. It rewards slowing down. Do you stop for the small details too?

Address: 330 rang des Vingt-Cinq Est, Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, QC J3V 4P6
Vibe/Ambiance: Quiet lakeside woods, perfect for a slow wander
Website: sepaq.com

5. Oka National Park

Red and gold trees lining a sandy beach on Lake of Two Mountains, under an hour from downtown by car. Fall color with a shoreline is rare. Would you visit a beach in October?

Address: 2020 Chemin d’Oka, Oka, QC J0N 1E0
Vibe/Ambiance: Calm lakeshore with forest, wetlands, and big views
Terrain: Sand
Website: sepaq.com/pq/oka

Before you go

Quebec’s national parks are run by Sépaq, and daily access is paid online before your visit, so sort that out ahead of time.

Which one is going on your color-chasing list?

#FieldNotesBySeb