5 Scenic Road Trips to See the Best Fall Colours in BC

Some of the best fall colours in BC can be found on scenic road trips from Vancouver through the Fraser Valley, Manning Park, the Similkameen and Okanagan valleys, and along the Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler.

I’ve driven these routes in autumn and photographed brilliant displays of yellow, gold, orange, and red along mountain highways, vineyards, orchards, lakes, and farmland. The colours vary with elevation and weather, so timing can differ from one region to another.

For some of the most impressive displays, consider Highway 3 through Manning Park and the Similkameen Valley, Highway 97 through the Okanagan Valley, the Coquihalla and Okanagan Connector, the Fraser Valley, and the Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler.

The Okanagan Valley offers a bounty of fresh produce to pick up along the way. Wine enthusiasts 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. Fall wine festivals and events offer opportunities to sip and savour B.C. wines.

Know before you go

Fall weather can change quickly in British Columbia, particularly on mountain highways. Snow and winter driving conditions can arrive much earlier at higher elevations than they do in Vancouver.

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. 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, and the Best Metro Vancouver Fall Events and Festivals. 

Where to see the best fall colours in BC

1. Highway 3 from Vancouver to Osoyoos through Manning Park

Highway 3 from Vancouver to Osoyoos is one of my favourite road trips to see fall colours in BC. The scenery changes dramatically as the Crowsnest Highway climbs from Hope through Manning Park before descending towards Princeton and the Similkameen Valley.

Golden foliage lines stretches of the highway, while rivers, mountain slopes and forests create constantly changing autumn views. As you enter the Similkameen Valley, the landscape changes again, with vineyards, orchards and farms stretching from Cawston through Keremeos towards Osoyoos.

Route: Vancouver → Hope → Manning Park → Princeton → Keremeos → Osoyoos
Best for: Mountain scenery, rivers, orchards, vineyards and farm stands
Best time: Typically late September through October
Allow: At least two days if you want time to stop and explore; four days is ideal.

Brilliant fall colours make a scenic road trip through southern British Columbia even more spectacular. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Fall colours in the Similkameen Valley

The Similkameen Valley is particularly beautiful in autumn when vineyards, orchards and farmland take on shades of yellow and gold.

Keremeos is known for its roadside fruit stands, making this an ideal place to stop during harvest season. Parsons Farm Market is a longtime favourite and has been operated by the Parsons family for generations.

The valley is also an important BC wine-growing region, so allow time for a winery visit before continuing toward Osoyoos. The Similkameen Valley has more than 20 wineries producing numerous award-winning wines.

This road trip is worth taking slowly. I captured some of my favourite photographs along the highway between Manning Park and Keremeos, where brilliant fall colour contrasts with the rugged mountain landscape.

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

Brilliant fall colours make a scenic road trip through southern British Columbia even more spectacular. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

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

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

2. Okanagan Valley Fall Road Trip on Highway 97

Autumn is one of my favourite times to explore the Okanagan Valley. Harvest is underway, vineyards and orchards change colour, and Highway 97 provides beautiful views of lakes, rolling hills and farmland.

A longer road trip can take you from Vernon through Kelowna, Penticton and Okanagan Falls to Oliver and Osoyoos.

Route: Vernon → Kelowna → Penticton → Okanagan Falls → Oliver → Osoyoos
Best for: Vineyards, orchards, lake views, farm stands and harvest experiences
Best time: Typically late September through October
Allow: Three to five days to explore the valley

Vernon and Kelowna

Around Vernon, autumn colours combine with orchards and farmland. Davison Orchards  is a popular harvest-season stop, while historic O’Keefe Ranch provides a look at the region’s ranching history.

Continuing south, Kelowna sits along Okanagan Lake surrounded by vineyards and orchards. Fall is an especially beautiful time to explore the wine country around the city as vineyard leaves turn shades of yellow, orange and red.

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

Penticton and the Naramata Bench

Penticton sits between Okanagan and Skaha lakes and makes an excellent base for exploring the southern Okanagan.
One of the most scenic fall drives is along the Naramata Bench, where vineyards and orchards overlook Okanagan Lake. Harvest season adds another dimension, with roadside produce, wineries and colourful vineyards along the route.

Okanagan Falls to Osoyoos

Continue south through Okanagan Falls and the vineyard landscapes around Oliver before reaching Osoyoos.

Vaseux Lake is a worthwhile stop for its distinctive landscape and wildlife viewing. Farther south, vineyards and orchards surround Oliver and Osoyoos, creating a very different autumn landscape from the forests and mountains encountered earlier in the journey.

Allow time for winery visits, farm stands and viewpoints rather than rushing through the valley. Fall is harvest season, making food and wine part of the experience as well as the scenery.

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

The scenic drive along Highway 97 through 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.

Fall Wine Events in the Okanagan

Harvest season brings winery events, tastings and food experiences throughout the Okanagan. Check the current Okanagan Wine Festivals calendar before your trip.

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

A burst of fall colour along Vaseux Lake is a worthwhile stop for its distinctive landscape and wildlife viewing. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Vineyard views of fall colour are some of the best things to do in the Okanagan Valley. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

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

3. Fall foliage on the Coquihalla Highway, Okanagan Connector

For a completely different BC fall road trip, take Highway 5 over the Coquihalla and connect with Highway 97C towards the Okanagan.

This is a high-elevation drive where the scenery can change quickly. Golden foliage contrasts with rugged mountain peaks along the Coquihalla before the landscape changes again through the Nicola Valley and towards the Okanagan.

Route: Hope → Coquihalla Summit → Merritt → Highway 97C → Kelowna
Best for: High-elevation scenery, mountain landscapes and dramatic fall colour
Best time: September through October, depending on elevation and weather

One of my favourite fall views along this route is near the Great Bear Snow Shed, where bursts of yellow foliage stand against the surrounding mountains.

The Okanagan Connector crosses another high-elevation landscape before descending towards Kelowna, where orchards and vineyards add more autumn colour.

Weather can change rapidly on both highways. Check road conditions before leaving and be prepared for temperatures and driving conditions that may be very different from those in Vancouver.

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©

4. Fraser Valley Fall Colours Road Trip

You don’t have to travel far from Vancouver to find beautiful fall colours in BC. The Fraser Valley makes an easy day trip or weekend road trip, with colourful parks, country roads, farms, rivers and mountain views.

One of my favourite routes combines Fort Langley and Campbell Valley with the countryside around Abbotsford and Mission, then continues to Cascade Falls Regional Park.

Route: Vancouver → Campbell Valley → Fort Langley→ Abbotsford → Mission → Cascade Falls
Best for: Easy day trips, country roads, parks, farms and waterfalls
Best time: Typically October through early November

Fort Langley and Campbell Valley

Start around Campbell Valley Regional Park has kilometres of trails through forest, wetlands and farmland. Broadleaf trees provide bursts of yellow and gold among the evergreens, while the surrounding country roads make this an enjoyable area to explore by car.

Then head to Fort Langley, where fall colour adds another dimension to the historic village and surrounding countryside.

Derby Reach Regional Park is another worthwhile stop, with views across the Fraser River towards the mountains.

Abbotsford and Mission

Continue east through the Fraser Valley towards Abbotsford and Mission, where farmland, mountain views and seasonal colour create a classic BC autumn landscape.
Fall is also harvest season, so this is a great road trip to pair with farm markets, pumpkin patches, and other seasonal experiences.

The Fraser Valley offers a rapidly growing food culture to explore. Take the self-guided country food and drink tour of Abbotsford to discover a few.

Cascade Falls Regional Park

For a spectacular finish, continue northeast of Mission to Cascade Falls Regional Park near Deroche.

A short one-kilometre trail climbs through the forest to viewing platforms and a suspension bridge overlooking the 30-metre Cascade Falls. The drive towards the park can be especially colourful in autumn.

Allow time to enjoy the waterfall before returning towards Vancouver or make it part of a longer Fraser Valley weekend.

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

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

5. Sea-to-Sky Highway Fall Road Trip to Whistler

The Sea-to-Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler is spectacular at any time of year, but autumn brings splashes of yellow and gold to a landscape dominated by mountains, forests and Howe Sound.

Highway 99 travels from Vancouver through Squamish before climbing into the Coast Mountains towards Whistler. Along the way are waterfalls, viewpoints, historic attractions and plenty of opportunities to stop.

The drive to Whistler takes about two hours without 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.

Route: Vancouver → Horseshoe Bay → Squamish → Brandywine Falls → Whistler
Best for: Mountains, waterfalls, Howe Sound and dramatic scenery
Best time: Typically late September through October
Allow: A full day or, better yet, an overnight stay in Whistler

Where to stop along the Sea-to-Sky Highway

Porteau Cove is an easy first stop for views across Howe Sound before continuing towards Squamish.

Shannon Falls Provincial Park provides another worthwhile break. The 335-metre waterfall is one of the highest in British Columbia and is reached by a short walk from the parking area.

Nearby, the Sea to Sky Gondola provides sweeping views across Howe Sound and the surrounding mountains.

Continue north towards Whistler, stopping at Brandywine Falls Provincial Park to see the 70-metre waterfall plunging over volcanic rock.

The mix of waterfalls, mountains and autumn colour makes this much more than simply a drive from Vancouver to Whistler. Give yourself plenty of time for stops along the way.

Fall in Whistler

Whistler is worth at least an overnight stay during a fall road trip.

The village is quieter than during the height of summer and ski season, and autumn colours can be particularly beautiful around the lakes, trails, and village.
Later in the season, Whistler’s Cornucopia festival provides another reason to visit, with food and drink experiences, tastings, dinners and special events taking place throughout the resort.

Whistler’s Cornucopia November 5-15, 2026

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

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©

6.  Bonus BC Fall Road Trip on Vancouver Island

Have a little more time? Take the ferry to Vancouver Island for a completely different fall road trip. Vancouver Island’s coastal climate, forests, rivers and small communities create a different autumn experience from the mountain and vineyard landscapes of the BC Interior.

One of my favourite routes runs from Victoria north to the Cowichan Valley, Nanaimo, Parksville, and Qualicum Beach. Extend the trip towards Port Alberni for even more forest scenery.

Route: Victoria → Cowichan Valley → Nanaimo → Parksville → Qualicum Beach → Port Alberni
Best for: Coastal forests, small communities, waterfalls and scenic drives
Best time: Typically October into early November
Allow: At least three days, but five to six days is ideal.

Cowichan Valley

The Cowichan Valley makes an excellent autumn stop with farms, vineyards, food producers and colourful countryside.
Take time to explore some of the smaller communities rather than simply driving Highway 1 north.

Parksville and Qualicum Beach

Farther north, Parksville and Qualicum Beach make a good base for exploring central Vancouver Island.
Nearby Englishman River Falls and Little Qualicum Falls combine forest scenery with waterfalls, while the drive towards Port Alberni passes through some beautiful wooded landscapes.

Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park is home to impressive old-growth Douglas fir trees and makes a worthwhile stop along Highway 4.
Vancouver Island doesn’t necessarily deliver the vast displays of deciduous colour found in some other parts of Canada, but its mix of autumn foliage, mossy forests, waterfalls and coastal scenery creates its own distinctive fall atmosphere.

Take a Fall Vancouver Island Wine and Food Road Trip for the Perfect 4-day Adventure

Best Road Trip Itinerary for a Vancouver Island Wine Tour. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Frequently asked questions about fall colours in BC

What month is best for fall colours in BC?

October is generally one of the best months to see fall colours across southern British Columbia, although timing varies considerably by elevation, region and weather. Higher-elevation areas can begin changing in September, while colour may continue into early November at lower elevations.

Where can I see fall colours near Vancouver?

Some of the easiest places to see fall colours near Vancouver are the Fraser Valley and the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Fort Langley, Campbell Valley, Abbotsford and Mission can be combined on a Fraser Valley road trip, while Highway 99 provides mountain and coastal scenery between Vancouver and Whistler.

Where are the best fall colours in the BC Interior?

Manning Park, the Similkameen Valley and the Okanagan Valley are among my favourite areas for a BC fall road trip. Highway 3 and Highway 97 combine mountain scenery with vineyards, orchards and farmland.

Do I need winter tires for a BC fall road trip?

Winter tire and chain requirements apply on many British Columbia highways beginning October 1. Requirements vary by route, so check current BC government requirements and DriveBC road conditions before setting out.

Plan a fall road trip in British Columbia

You don’t have to travel across Canada to find spectacular autumn scenery. BC’s fall colours may look different from the vast red maple displays of Eastern Canada, but the combination of golden forests, rugged mountains, vineyards, orchards, lakes and waterfalls makes autumn one of my favourite times for a road trip.

If I had to choose just one route for fall colour, I would drive Highway 3 through Manning Park and the Similkameen Valley towards Osoyoos. For an easy day trip from Vancouver, explore the Fraser Valley. And for dramatic mountain scenery, it’s hard to beat the Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler.

Whichever route you choose, allow time to stop. Some of the best autumn scenes I’ve photographed in British Columbia were unexpected views I discovered along the road.

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