Hiking in the fall offers cooler temperatures, fewer bugs, and beautiful scenery. Here are some family-friendly fall colour hikes in New Brunswick. The best time to see fall foliage in New Brunswick is from late September to early October.
Some popular spots include Fundy National Park in Alma, which offers beautiful red, orange, and yellow leaves. For a relaxed hike, visit Irving Nature Park in Saint John with its easy trails and coastal views. Kouchibouguac National Park features varied landscapes, from forests to wetlands, perfect for hiking and wildlife spotting. Dress in layers, bring water, and take a camera to capture the season’s vibrant colors.
- Bathurst (Chaleur Region) – The Elf Trail, at 1135 Youghall Dr in Bathurst, is a lovely little walk in the woods with bird feeders, benches, and an elf home for the whole family to enjoy! Daly Point Nature Reserve offers splendid views of both the forest and the coast for your enjoyment. Let’s not forget the beautiful Pabineau Falls, with easy access to stunning river views.
- Mount Carleton – Mount Carleton Provincial Park is a hiker’s paradise. Whether looking for a wheelchair-accessible trail or a challenging climb like Mount Bailey, there’s an adventure for everyone.
- Rivière-Verte – 360 degrees of colours – Take in the colourful fall mountain scenery. On October 8th, hike at the “Mont Pointu” and enjoy family activities. More Details
- Miscou Island – On Miscou Island, which is only 24 km long and 16 km wide, 8 peat bogs cover 45% of its surface area. Larger bogs are found around the historic lighthouse in the middle of the island. You can hike the Peat Bog Boardwalk area and discover landscapes that resemble an endless sea of scarlet.
- Campbellton – Sugarloaf Provincial Park offers trails for all ages and abilities. This is a wonderful location to admire the Fall colours.
- Kouchibouguac – Kouchibouguac National Park features varied landscapes, from forests to wetlands, perfect for hiking and wildlife spotting.
- Miramichi – French Fort Cove Nature Park offers breathtaking colorful displays while walking, hiking, and biking the trails and boardwalk.
- Memramcook – Haute de Rouisseau Nature Park offers groomed and ungroomed family-friendly hiking options.
- Moncton Region – Easy family hiking trails offer fall colour views at Irishtown and Mapleton Nature Parks as well as many family activities at Centennial Park. Across the river in Riverview, you won’t want to miss a leisurely walk with the family on the well-groomed trails at the Mill Creek Nature Park.
- Alma – Fundy National Park offers some lovely family-friendly trails and look-offs to enjoy the fall foliage. The Dickson Falls trail is a short walk through the forest to a tall waterfall, including many stairs up and down. For less stairs on the trail, stroll the boardwalk and more level trails at Caribou Plain for colourful bogs and various forest views.
- St. Martin’s Parish – The Fundy Trail Parkway offers several family-friendly hikes with bold colours. The drive through the park is offers amazing views all season as well.
- Saint John – Rockwood Park, right in the city offers lovely fall colours, especially around Lily Lake and Fisher Lakes. Or head out to the Kennebecasis Valley and walk along the river trail through Renforth to experience the colours along the river or venture to Spyglass Hill for breathtaking views of rolling hills and the river. For a relaxed hike, visit Irving Nature Park in Saint John with its easy trails and coastal views.
- Fredericton – Explore 120 km of trails in Fredericton. View their Trails Brochure HERE
- Meductic – Just north of Meductic you can explore the Maliseet Trail and Hays Falls for a lovely family hike. (This is a trail I walked several times while going to college. It is beautiful.)
These options are all hiking locations, there are countless additional Fall Foliage viewing spots throughout New Brunswick. Taking the back roads will reveal spectacular fall views. Embrace the adventure and explore NB!
For more awe-inspiring fall foliage guides & viewpoints in New Brunswick, visit Tourism NB.
Do you have some favourite family-friendly Fall colour hikes in New Brunswick? Be sure to let us know in the comments. We would love to hear from you.