5 road trips to see the best fall colours in BC

Take a scenic autumn road trip from Vancouver to explore the best fall colours in BC and discover some of the finest displays Mother Nature has to offer.

Nature’s palette strikes a generous stroke of shimmering yellow and gold with a spectrum of orange hues and vibrant shades of deep crimson red across the countryside. A celebration of harvest adds to this special time of the year, especially if you head to the Okanagan.

There is a bounty of fresh produce to pick up along the way in the Okanagan Valley. Wine enthusiast will delight in the many wine regions these road trips pass through. Take advantage of these areas and stay a little longer to visit vineyards and tasting rooms. The fall wine festivals and events provide experiences to sip and savour B.C. wines.

Before heading into the mountains on any of these road-trip adventures, remember weather conditions can change quickly and winter tires are required annually on most routes from October 1 through April 30. Check here for designated winter tires regulations for BC. Make sure to check for the latest road conditions and any construction delays or incidents along your planned route on Drive BC. 

You may also want to check out: 12 places to see fall colours in Vancouver,  10 Best B.C. Provincial Parks Near Vancouver, scenic trails at Derby Reach Regional Park Langley, Best Metro Vancouver Fall Events and Festivals 2023 and Port Alberni Travel Guide to 21 Great Adventures.

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Planning a trip? Search for accommodation in using Booking.Com or book a sightseeing or wine tour using Viator and any commissions earned will help keep this website running.

Where to see the best fall colours in BC

1. Road trip on Highway 3 to Osoyoos to experience BC fall colours

Trees spun with gold line much of Highway 3 from Hope through Manning Park and beyond, from October through November. Wind through the mountains into the Simikameen Valley where vineyards and orchard are found from Crawston through to Keremeos before arriving in Osoyoos.

Simikameen Valley farmers grow high-quality produce and the area is known as the “organic capital and fruit stand capital of Canada.”

Visit the fourth-generation Parsons Farm Market in Keremeos, owned and operated by one of the first farming families in the area. Since 1908, this pioneering family have farmed in the Simikameen Valley.

As well, Simikameen Valley has  more than 20 wineries in the area that produce many award-winning wines.

Vivid fall colours along the Crowsnest Highway from Naramata to Manning Park. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Vivid fall colours along the Highway 3 from Naramata to Manning Park. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Fall colours burst along a river between Manning Park and Keremeos. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Vivid fall colours along the Crowesnest Highway from Naramata to Manning Park. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Vivid fall colours along Highway 3 from Naramata to Manning Park. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Parsons fruit stand pumpkin display Keromeos on Highway 3. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Vivid fall colours on the farms near Keromeos along Highway 3. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Vivid fall colours on the farms near Keromeos along Highway 3. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Sacred Spotted Lake in the Okanagan’s Similkameen Valley. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

2. Okanagan Valley on Highway 97

Fall in the Okanagan Valley is a very special time of year. It’s harvest time in the vineyards and it’s there you’ll find the freshest bounty of fruits and vegetables.

The scenic drive along Highway 97 though the Okanagan Valley boasts stunning autumn views of Okanagan Lake, sandy beaches, gentle rolling mountains, vineyards, and orchards.

Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton, Okanagan Falls, Naramata, Oliver, and Osoyoos are popular Okanagan destinations year-round.

Vernon

Take a tour of the historic O’Keefe Ranch, founded in 1867.  Learn about the history of the area and about ranching. The ranch was once a stage coach depot. Visit Davidson Orchards fall farm experience and its honey farm right next door. Taste some award-winning mead at Planet Bee. Find out about the wildlife of the area at the Allan Brooks Nature Centre .

Fall colours on the road between Vernon and Kelowna in the Okanagcan Valley. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Fall views from the Naramata Bench in the Okanagan Valley. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Kelowna

Kelowna is located in the centre of the Okanagan Valley. Take a stroll on the 2-km long waterfront boardwalk. There are 40 wineries within the area offering award-winning wines with tasting rooms.

Penticton

Penticton is located between two lakes, Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake. Both lakes offer sandy beaches and swimming.

• There are more than 80 wineries to explore in the area, as well as craft breweries, a cidery and a few distilleries.
• See the largest surviving historic stern wheeler in BC, the S.S. Sicamous. The boat traveled the shores of the Okanagan from Penticton to Vernon from 1914 until 1936.
• Take a 90-minute ride on the historic Kettle Valley Steam Railway through orchards and vineyards.
• Visit Nixdorf Classic Cars to see more than 100 restored classic cars from 1936-1970.

Vaseux Lake Provincial Park

Vaseux Lake Provincial Park is located just outside Okanagan Falls on your way to Osoyoos. The Vaseux Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary is an important conservation area and provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. California big horn sheep can sometimes be seen on the rocky ridge overlooking the lake. Campsite are available in the park. Watch for more photos and information on the Vaseux Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

Enjoy the breathtaking scenery at the Vaseux Lake Bird Sanctuary. Follow the boardwalk and hiking trail through the the grasslands to the bird observation tower. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Osoyoos

• The Nk’Mip Desert Culture Centre highights the culture and people of the Osoyoos Indian Band. Visit the reconstructed village and take a stroll on the walking trails through sage bushes.
• Visit some of the wineries in the area, a distillery, or craft brewery.
• Take a walk to Haynes Point to watch the sunset or sunrise.

Take a road trip to see the spectacular scenery of Highway 3 through the Similkameen Valley to Osoyoos. The fall colours are sunning here. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Take a road trip to see the spectacular scenery of Highway 3 through the Similkameen Valley to Osoyoos. The fall colours are sunning here.Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Take a road trip to see the spectacular scenery of Highway 3 through the Similkameen Valley to Osoyoos. The fall colours are sunning here. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Wine Tasting in the Okanagan Valley

The entire Okanagan region stretches over 250 km and has more than 180 wineries to visit. This area has 86% of B.C.’s vineyard acreage covering four official sub-regions.

Here are just a few of our favourite wineries to explore.

• Vernon: 50th Parellel Estate Winery has breathtaking views as does their Block One restaurant. Check out wineries north of Vernon, heading into Shuswap.
  
• Kelowna: Cedarcreek Estate Winery, Mt. Bouchiere Estate Winery, and Quails’ Gate.

A wine tasting from the barrel at Cedarcreek Estate Winery in Kelowna. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Private dinning room at Mt. Bouchiere Estate Winery. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Penticton: Painted Rock Estate Winery.

Naramata Bench: Poplar Grove Winery.

Okanagan Falls: Blasted Church Winery.

Oliver: Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, Silver Sage Winery and the District Wine Village with 12 wine tasting rooms, a brewery and distillery.

Osoyoos: Nk’ Mip Cellars, the first Indigenous-owned winery in North America.

Fall Okanagan Wine Festival – October 27, 28, 29, November 3-5, 2023

Catch some of the events at the Fall Okanagan Wine Festival

Find out more about what to see and do in the Okanagan Valley. Search for accommodation in using Booking.Com or book a sightseeing or wine tour using Viator and any commissions earned will help keep this website running.

Fall colours in the Okanagan Valley. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Best things to do in the Okanagan Valley. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Best things to do in the Okanagan Valley. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Grapes growing in a vineyard in the Okanagan Valley. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Stunning fall colours in the vineyards along the Okanagan Valley. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Stunning fall colours in the orchards along the Okanagan Valley. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

3. Fall foliage on the Coquihalla Highway Okanagan Connector

The fall foliage is something special along the Coquihalla Highway. Bursts of yellow stand in contrast next to the Great Bear Snow Shed just before the granite peaks along the route. This Okanagan Highway connector traverses through the lower Nicola Valley ranch lands, sub-alpine grasslands and woodlands, dropping into rolling hills and small fishing lakes.

The spectacular colours start to escalate heading through Okanagan Valley.

Fall colours along the Coquihalla Highway at the Great Bear Snow Shed. Photo Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Fall colours along the Coquihalla Highway. Photo Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Fall colours along the Coquihalla Highway

4. Fall colours in the Fraser Valley

The Fraser Valley has an abundance of places to see of the finest fall colours.

• Campbell Valley Regional Park in Langley offers hiking trails winding through the natural beauty of serene, mossy wooded forests, wetlands and farmlands. There are 29 kms of easy trails to travel along any time of the year, which are family and dog friendly, along with 14 kms of horse riding trails.
• Langley’s historic Derby Reach Regional Park offers stunning riverfront and mountain views along the south shores of the Fraser River. A visit to this regional park makes a perfect day trip from Vancouver or as part of a weekend getaway to roam around Fort Langley.
• The stunning beauty and tranquility of Cascades Falls is truly a jewel worth finding in the Fraser Valley. Cascades Falls is 30-metres-high and is accessed by a 1 km trail. The falls are found in Cascade Falls Regional Park, which is located in Deroche, 90.2 kilometres from Vancouver.
• Visit the Fraser Valley to discover a rapidly growing food culture. It’s a place of farmers, brewers, growers, and makers coming together to showcase their pride of produce. Enjoy fresh country air, rolling farmlands with mountain views, artisan cheeses, fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, award winning wines, honey, ciders, mead, handcrafted soaps, and other products  There are also other family-friendly, fun-loving, seasonal activities. Take the self-guided country food and drink tour of Abbotsford to discover a few.
• There are 21 best pumpkin patches or corn mazes to explore in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. These family-fun events are great for every age to enjoy this colourful time of the year.

Wine Tasting in the Fraser Valley

Consider a weekend stay in the Fraser Valley to stop at a few of the 42 wineries in the Fraser Valley region growing grapes on nearly 200 acres. Many have tasting rooms, food experiences, behind-the-scene wine and farm tours, picnic areas, restaurants, online ordering and wine clubs. Some offer great special event venues for any occasion.

This wine-making region produces countless award-winning wines from grapes and other fruits sourced for various B.C. growing areas. The oldest winery in the Fraser Valley, Chaberton Estate Wines, established in 1991, has won more than 100 awards for their wines. The newest winery, Cannon Estate Winery, located in Abbotsford’s Mt. Lehman area, opened in October 2022.

The wine region stretches from North Vancouver to Hope. Search for accommodation in using Booking.Com or book a sightseeing or wine tour using Viator and any commissions earned will help keep this website running.

Spectacular fall colors on the road to Cascade Falls Regional Park in Mission

Fall colours along the road to Cascade Falls Regional Park in Mission. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

U-Pick Apples at the Pumpkin Patch at Taves Family Farms. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Walk through the forest at Derby Regional Park. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

5. Fall colours Sea-to-Sky Highway to Vancouver to Whistler

Follow  one of the most scenic drives in North America, the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler, for spectacular autumn colours, dramatic sweeping views of fjords, mountains and dormant volcanoes along the Pacific Rim of Fire. Admire four breathtaking waterfalls, access several lakes and hiking trails on this route.

Stop at Shannon Falls, the Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish and Bandywine Falls before descending into to Whistler.

The drive to Whistler will take about two hours without any stops. Take your time driving this beautiful, but winding highway.

Enjoy the views along the way but keep your eyes on the road. Only pull off at designated spots when it is safe.

Whistler’s Cornucopia November 9-19, 2023

Whistler’s annual Cornucopia is an 11-day fall festival of food and drink with culinary demonstrations, drink seminars, winemaker dinners, parties and more, featuring wineries, breweries and distilleries

Autumn colours at Shannon Falls Provincial Park on road to Whistler on the Sea to Sky Highway. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

One of the top things to do along Sea to Sky Highway, one of the most scenic drives in North America is to see the fall colours at Brandywine Falls. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Whistler bursts into spectacular fall colours. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©