Fall Colours In Bay of Quinte: Where To See Beautiful Autumn Foliage Around Belleville and Trenton

Experience the best fall colours in Bay of Quinte! From Belleville to Trenton, Brighton to Frankford, discover trails, parks, and lookouts for stunning autumn foliage in Ontario.

Fall in the Bay of Quinte Region is nothing short of magical. From Brighton to Belleville, Trenton, and Frankford, the trees put on a vibrant show of fiery reds, golden yellows, and bright orange hues. It’s the time of year when the trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let the dead things go. Quite frankly, this is the time of year I love to be outside the most. The fantastic array of colours spoils my eyes. Coupled with still moderately warmish days, it’s a shame to stay inside and miss it. Before the short days of winter, get outside and get that final vitamin D boost from the sun.

If you’re looking for fall colours in Bay of Quinte, you’re in the right place. With trails, lookouts, and riverside walks, there’s no better time to get outside, soak up the crisp air, and enjoy one of nature’s best displays before winter sets in.

Here are some of the best areas to see the fall colours around Belleville and Trenton in the Bay of Quinte Region.

Where To See Fall Colours in Bay of Quinte, Ontario

Want to know where to go for the best viewing spots for seasonal colour in the areas between Brighton, Frankford, Trenton, and Belleville? I have my favourites that I will disclose to you here. Read on to discover where I prefer to be for optimal colour viewing, from east to west, in the Bay of Quinte Region.

Presqu’ile Provincial Park, Brighton

How lucky is the town of Brighton to have neighbourhood access to one of the best provincial parks in Ontario? Presqu’ile Provincial Park boasts Lake Ontario access, bird migrations, amazing camping and lovely areas to wander. The wifi isn’t weak here, though; cellular reception is fairly decent.

Brighton is home to Presqu’ile Provincial Park, one of Ontario’s most scenic fall destinations. Famous for bird migrations and Lake Ontario sunsets, it’s also a top spot for fall foliage.

The best place to wander for fall foliage viewing in Prequ’ile Provincial Park, though, is the Jobes Woods Trail. It’s only a kilometre long, so no complaining that it’s too arduous. While the greens stay strong for a long time here, when they turn, is’s a brilliant canopy of golden hues overhead.
Hot tip from me to you: stay for sunset — Presqu’ile is one of the best places in Southern Ontario to watch the sun dip below the horizon.

If you’re ever interested in roofed accommodation camping at Presqu’ile Provincial Park, check out my experience camping with my son there: Presquile Provincial Park, Falling For the Minka Tent

One of the best places to catch sunsets in Ontario is from here as well. Curious to know where? Read Where To Find The Best Southern Ontario Sunsets

Frankford Tourist Park and Lock 6, Trent-Severn Waterway

Just north of Trenton, Frankford Tourist Park is a great starting point for a fall walk along the Trent River. The reflection of autumn leaves in the still water at Lock 6 is pure magic. Pack a picnic, enjoy the riverside views, and don’t forget your camera; the sunsets here are some of the best in the Bay of Quinte.

When I was growing up in Belleville, I missed a high opportunity to explore the area of Frankford. Now that I am older and my mom has relocated there, I’m sure glad she has. About 15 minutes driving north of Trenton, Frankford Tourist Park is a great place to park the vehicle. From there, you can stroll the banks of the Trent River on the west side. At Lock 6, there are picnic tables and places to rest and take in the beautiful setting.

Not only is this one of the best places to view fall colours around Belleville and Trenton, but it is also one of the best places to catch a sunset in Southern Ontario. I mean, come on, look at that still water reflection! Read Where To Find The Best Southern Ontario Sunsets

Sager Conservation Area, Quinte West

For panoramic views of the entire region, head to Sager Conservation Area. The short, steep hike to the observation tower pays off with breathtaking views of the Trent Valley and beyond. On clear days, you can see Belleville, Trenton, and even Campbellford. In autumn, the hills burst into fiery colour, making it one of the best fall hikes near Belleville.

Roughly 30 minutes by car north of Trenton and tucked in behind the Oak Hills Golf Course is Sager Conservation Area. The top of the lookout tower is one of the best places in all of the Bay of Quinte Region to view the fall foliage.

It’s a challenge to get up there! The hike from the parking lot to the tower is only half a kilometre, and there are stairs involved as the trail is steep.

While this is a great place to go with the family, this area is not stroller-friendly or good for the mobility-impaired. After the steep trek, 48 additional steps lead up the observation tower. For the able-bodied, it’s worth the 30-foot climb for the panoramic views of the Trent Valley. On clear days, you can see all the way into Belleville, Trenton and Campbellford.

This happens to be a favourite spot of mine in the winter as well Sager Conservation Area Trail: Easy Winter Hike With Kids

Bleasdell Boulder Conservation Area, Quinte West

Just west of Trenton, the Bleasdell Boulder Conservation Area is home to one of the largest glacial erratics in North America. At 2.3 billion years old, this massive rock is a natural wonder, but the trails leading to it are just as rewarding in autumn. The short hike winds through a hardwood forest, which bursts into fiery yellows, reds and golds in October.

The trail is family-friendly and less than 2 km round trip, making it a great option for kids or anyone looking for a quick fall outing. Bring your camera! The mix of ancient rock and colourful fall canopy makes this a unique Bay of Quinte hiking experience.

Mount Pelion, Trenton

Here’s full disclosure on Mount Pelion: I’ve spent some time up to no good here in my teen years. Mostly it was late at night, and I was trying to impress some friends. I didn’t appreciate how awesome the view was then.

A local favourite, Mount Pelion offers one of the best vantage points over Trenton and the Bay of Quinte. The lookout tower provides sweeping views that stretch as far as Prince Edward County and Belleville. In the fall, it’s a fantastic spot to see the city framed by colourful autumn leaves.

Every local in Trenton knows how to get to Mount Pelion. The pity is, I don’t know how many actually go up there.  The day  I was there, it was empty except for a runner who whizzed by. Of course, it is early in the fall foliage season. Great for the curious wanderers, visitors to the lookout point are well rewarded with a perspective of the area that nowhere else can provide. It’s a short, but steep, uphill hike that is worth it.

From the vantage point of the 30-foot lookout tower on top of Mount Pelion, you can see all of Trenton, into Prince Edward County and even all the way to Belleville. In the fall, it’s the perfect great time to see the autumn hues that blanket the city. 

Riverside Trail Park, Belleville

Running alongside the Moira River, Riverside Trail Park is a peaceful place to enjoy Belleville’s fall colours. With picnic spots and a riverside walking trail, it’s perfect for a family stroll or a quiet afternoon taking in the autumn air. Fall is always one of my favourite seasons. The time when trees burst with its last beauty. As if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale. Riverside Trail Park is definitely where this is true.

On the trail that runs alongside the Moira River, there are several rest spots along the way to enjoy your surroundings. Pack a lunch, stroll with no destination in mind. You can park and start at the Canada flag planted on the hill that is used for toboggans and make your way along the river south and back again.

HR Frink Centre, Plainfield

The HR Frink Centre is a nature-lover’s paradise, with forest trails, boardwalks, and marshland. In autumn, the trails glow with shades of yellow and orange, making it one of the top places near Belleville to immerse yourself in nature’s fall finale.

This conservation area features numerous lovely trails for hiking. I think I have some memories of my days as a Girl Guide on day trips here, that’s a lot of years ago by the way. Being a conservation area rich in a lot of trees, that’s a lot of colour bursts coming your way! There’s a marsh, a boardwalk trail in the woods and a ton of canopy tree cover. It’s a romantic spot for a socially distant date as well.

When is the best time to see fall colours in Belleville and Trenton?
Peak fall colours in the Bay of Quinte Region usually appear in early to mid-October, depending on the weather. Plan your trip around Thanksgiving for the most vibrant hues.

Where can I hike near Belleville to see fall colours?
Top fall hikes near Belleville include the Riverside Trail Park, HR Frink Centre, and Sager Conservation Area. For shorter strolls, try Jobes Woods Trail at Presqu’ile Provincial Park.

Are there free places to see fall foliage in the Bay of Quinte?
Yes! Many of the best spots, including Mount Pelion, Riverside Trail Park, and Frankford Tourist Park, are completely free to visit.

Do you recommend places near Toronto to hike to see autumn hues?

I do actually, I would recommend that you read The Best Hiking Trails Near Toronto To Visit This Fall

Whether you’re chasing fall foliage in Brighton, Belleville, Trenton, or Frankford, the Bay of Quinte Region is full of scenic spots to enjoy Ontario’s autumn beauty. From riverside strolls to panoramic lookouts, these are some of the best places to see fall colours in Ontario.

If you are interested in viewing the fall colours in the Bay of Quinte Region and want to know where to stay, check out this map with accommodations here:

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If you’d like to explore 6 Awesome Fall Hikes With Kids In The Bay of Quinte Region, be sure to read that here.

For more ideas of what to see and out around the Belleville and Trenton area, be sure to visit the Bay of Quinte tourism website. Happy autumn hue hunting!