Where should Canadians go this fall? 7 gorgeous getaways beyond the big cities

The leaves are turning, the air is crisp and more Canadians are trading a big-city weekend for a small town with a big view.

That budget-friendly, close-to-home autumn trip isn’t as cheap as it was last year. Gas prices have bumped up, free national park days are done for the season and some popular photo destinations are now charging for parking.

The upside? With some planning, Canada’s fall scenery remains one of the best travel bargains around, and a few of the prettiest spots cost nothing at all.

Fall travel is all the rage — and costly

Interest in domestic trips is surging. Searches for Canadian fall stays have increased 25% year over year, according to fall travel trend data from Airbnb, with rural stays up by almost 30%. Searches from Gen Z travellers and families have surged by nearly 40%.

Getting there, however, is going to be more expensive. Gasoline prices were up 22.8% year over year in August, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) from Statistics Canada, which highlighted the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as a main driver. Prices for travel tours also climbed 26.1% over the same period, according to an inflation analysis by TD Economics.

Parks Canada’s free-admission Canada Strong Pass ended Sept. 7, with regular fees resuming the next day.

If you’re looking for a picturesque and cozy getaway that fits your budget, look no further than these seven destinations.

Assiniboine Forest, Manitoba: free to explore

This municipal nature park in Winnipeg has its own herd of white-tailed deer. There’s no admission fee to hit the aspen-oak trails here, which keeps it among the most budget-friendly fall spots on the list.

Main Street, Unionville, Ontario: a scenic stroll

The historic thoroughfare in Markham, Ont., is the closest thing to a Gilmore Girls set in Canada, with tree-lined street that glow red and orange in the fall. The stroll itself won’t cost you a thing. The real test is the cozy cafes and boutique shops along the way, so set a spending limit before you head out.

Smoky Lake, Alberta: a small-town day trip

Located a little over an hour northeast of Edmonton, Alberta’s official “Pumpkin Capital” offers Pumpkin Park, a golf course and scenic waterways perfect for autumn paddling. For Edmontonians, it’s a short enough drive to keep fuel costs in check, even with higher prices at the pump.

Kananaskis Country, Alberta: $15 a day to park

Situated about an hour west of Calgary, this spot features stunning golden larches, though you’ll need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass to park. It costs $15 a day or $90 a year for each personal vehicle; parking without one can trigger a $150 fine, CBC News reported.

If you think you’ll be back, the math is straightforward: the annual pass pays for itself by your sixth visit.

Jacques-Cartier National Park, Quebec: book access in advance

Driving about 30 minutes outside Quebec City will bring you to this glacial valley run by Sépaq, the provincial agency that looks after Quebec’s national parks.

Sépaq caps daily visitor numbers, so secure your access authorization before you go. You can book up to 30 days ahead. Frequent visitors can buy an annual card for $51.50 per adult for one park or $93 per adult for the full network. Kids 17 and under get in free.

Meat Cove, Nova Scotia: budget for the national park

Tucked away at the northern tip of Cape Breton Island, this remote community serves up unbelievable views of cliffs, forests and the ocean. Most people get there along the Cabot Trail, with about a third of the drive winding right through Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

Daily admission is $10 per adult or $19.50 per family, and youth 17 and under get in free. A family Discovery Pass costs $167.50 and covers Parks Canada places nationwide. For a family, it beats daily fees by the ninth day.

Dempster Highway, Yukon and Northwest Territories: the splurge

For an unforgettable road trip, consider the Dempster Highway, which runs 734 kilometres from the Klondike Highway near Dawson City all the way up to Inuvik. The surrounding tundra shows off its brilliant fall colours earlier than almost anywhere else.

It’s also the most expensive trip on this list to do safely. The first gas station northbound is at Eagle Plains, 369 kilometres in, according to The Milepost, a long-running guide to northern highways. Travel Yukon, the territory’s tourism agency, describes Eagle Plains as a small but necessary stop on a route with few services.

Make sure to budget for pricier gas and remote lodging, pack a full-size spare tire and leave yourself plenty of extra time in case road conditions slow you down.

What to do now

• Price the drive first. Use current pump prices to estimate the fuel cost of a road trip.
• Do the math for a pass. If you plan on visiting a park half a dozen or more times this year, grabbing an annual pass will usually save you money over daily entry fees.
• Take advantage of youth perks. Kids 17 and under get into Parks Canada places free.
• Consider a weekday trip. Fall is the top season for weekend getaways, so midweek visits may mean thinner crowds.

The cheapest fall trip is often the one closest to home, and the most expensive is the one you didn’t price out.