New Brunswick in the fall is something you have to experience for yourself. From the Appalachian Mountains in the north to the rugged Bay of Fundy coastline and the Saint John River Valley, autumn transforms the province into a spectacular mix of red, orange, yellow and gold.
Whether you’re looking for a scenic fall drive, a hiking adventure, a family day trip or an outdoor experience, there are incredible places to see fall colours throughout New Brunswick.
At Mud to Moose Trail Adventures, we think the best way to experience autumn is to get off the pavement and into the backcountry. But if you’re planning a fall road trip around New Brunswick, here are 10 of the best places to see fall colours in the province.
Planning tip: Northern New Brunswick generally starts changing earlier, while southern and coastal areas tend to peak later. Tourism New Brunswick currently recommends planning around regional foliage conditions rather than relying on one province-wide peak date.
🍂 1. Mount Carleton Provincial Park
The ultimate mountain view
If you’re looking for one of the most spectacular places to see fall colours in New Brunswick, Mount Carleton Provincial Park should be near the top of your list.
Mount Carleton is home to the highest peak in the Maritimes. From the mountain’s higher viewpoints, you can look across enormous stretches of colourful Appalachian forest.
The combination of red maples, golden birch, dark evergreen forests and mountain lakes creates some incredible autumn scenery.
Tourism New Brunswick specifically recommends Mount Carleton for fall, highlighting its mountain viewpoints, lakes, wildlife and hiking opportunities.
Best for: Hiking, photography, mountain views, camping and wildlife.
🍁 2. Fundy Trail Provincial Park
Where the forest meets the Bay of Fundy
The Fundy Trail Provincial Park combines two incredible New Brunswick landscapes: colourful Acadian forest and the rugged Bay of Fundy coastline.
Drive the parkway, stop at the lookouts, explore hiking trails and waterfalls, and take in the views of the ocean surrounded by autumn colours.
Tourism New Brunswick describes Fundy Trail as one of the province’s standout fall scenic drives.
Best for: Scenic driving, hiking, photography, waterfalls and coastal views.
For 2026, Fundy Trail is scheduled to operate into October, with hours changing later in the season. Check the official park information before visiting.
🍂 3. Kouchibouguac National Park
Autumn along the Acadian Coast
Kouchibouguac National Park is a fantastic fall destination in eastern New Brunswick.
The park combines colourful forests, rivers, lagoons, wetlands and coastal landscapes. The Salt Marsh Trail is particularly impressive in autumn, with colourful maple trees and boardwalk scenery.
Kouchibouguac is approximately 2½ hours northeast of Fredericton, making it a good destination for a full-day fall adventure.
Best for: Hiking, cycling, photography, wildlife and peaceful autumn scenery.
🍁 4. Mactaquac Provincial Park
Fall colours along the Saint John River
Just outside Fredericton, Mactaquac Provincial Park is an easy place to enjoy autumn without travelling across the province.
The park sits along the Saint John River and combines forest trails, water views and colourful hardwoods.
Tourism New Brunswick highlights Mactaquac as a four-season destination with excellent fall colours.
Best for: Families, hiking, photography, camping and a quick fall getaway from Fredericton.
🍂 5. Fundy National Park
Appalachian forest and coastal wilderness
Fundy National Park is another spectacular place to experience autumn.
The park’s hiking trails take you through dense forest, past waterfalls and toward spectacular viewpoints overlooking the Bay of Fundy.
The combination of changing hardwoods, evergreen trees and rugged terrain makes the park particularly photogenic in the fall.
Best for: Hiking, waterfalls, camping, wildlife and photography.
🍁 6. Sugarloaf Provincial Park
Mountain views near Campbellton
Sugarloaf Provincial Park is another excellent northern New Brunswick destination.
Climb Sugarloaf Mountain for panoramic views across the surrounding landscape as the forest changes colour.
Tourism New Brunswick specifically recommends Sugarloaf for fall, noting its mountain views and changing leaves.
Best for: Hiking, mountain views, photography and outdoor adventure.
🍂 7. Turtle Mountain
A hidden gem for panoramic fall views
Near Grand Bay-Westfield, Turtle Mountain offers an opportunity to get above the forest and look across a huge expanse of colourful New Brunswick wilderness.
Tourism New Brunswick describes Turtle Mountain as an excellent fall viewpoint, with forests, lakes, wetlands and colourful hardwoods stretching across the landscape.
Best for: Hiking, photography and getting away from the crowds.
🍁 8. The Saint John River Valley
One of New Brunswick’s classic fall drives
You don’t necessarily need to visit a provincial park to experience spectacular autumn colours.
The Saint John River Valley offers some of the province’s best fall scenery.
Take a drive through communities such as Fredericton, Mactaquac, Woodstock and Hartland, stopping along the way to explore small communities, riverside viewpoints and historic attractions.
The Hartland Covered Bridge makes an especially good fall photography stop.
Best for: Scenic drives, photography, covered bridges, communities and road trips.
🍂 9. Odell Park – Fredericton
Fall colours right in Fredericton
If you’re staying in Fredericton and don’t have time for a full-day road trip, Odell Park is an excellent place to experience autumn.
The extensive wooded park provides hiking and walking opportunities right in the city.
Tourism New Brunswick includes the Odell Park Circuit among its recommended fall-colour hikes.
Best for: Families, walking, hiking and visitors staying in Fredericton.
🍁 10. Hopewell Rocks & the Fundy Coast
Fall colours meet the world’s highest tides
The Hopewell Rocks provide something completely different.
Here, colourful autumn forests meet the dramatic coastline of the Bay of Fundy.
Walk the ocean floor at low tide, explore the trails and enjoy the combination of fall foliage and the famous flowerpot rock formations.
The Hopewell Rocks’ admission is valid for two consecutive days, and visitors should check the tide tables when planning a visit.
Best for: Families, photography, sightseeing and combining fall colours with a Bay of Fundy adventure.
🗺️ When Is the Best Time to See Fall Colours in New Brunswick?
One of the biggest mistakes visitors make is assuming the entire province reaches peak colour at the same time.
It doesn’t.
According to Tourism New Brunswick, northern New Brunswick generally starts changing around the second week of September, with peak colour around the end of September. Southern and coastal areas generally begin changing around mid-September, with peak colour tending to arrive toward the end of September and into the first part of October.
A general guide:
| Region | Typical colour period |
|---|---|
| Northern New Brunswick | Mid–late September |
| Mount Carleton | Mid–late September |
| Campbellton / Sugarloaf | Mid–late September |
| Fredericton / Saint John River Valley | Late September–early October |
| Kouchibouguac | Late September–early October |
| Fundy Coast | Late September–early October |
| Hopewell Rocks | Late September–early October |
Weather can move these dates considerably, so check current local conditions before planning your trip.
🫎 Want to Experience New Brunswick Fall Colours Off the Pavement?
Here’s where Mud to Moose Trail Adventures comes in.
You can see New Brunswick from the highway…
or you can get off the highway.
Our guided ATV and Side-by-Side adventures take you into the backcountry around Ripples, New Brunswick, where forests, mud, water crossings and wildlife replace traffic and pavement.
Fall is one of our favourite times to ride.
The mosquitoes are disappearing, the temperatures are comfortable, the forest starts changing colour, and the trails become a completely different experience.
And if you’re lucky, you might even encounter one of New Brunswick’s most famous residents:
🫎 The Moose
Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but that’s part of the adventure.
Come ride the trails. Get a little muddy. Experience New Brunswick the way it was meant to be explored.
Ready for your New Brunswick adventure?
Book your ATV or Side-by-Side adventure with Mud to Moose Trail Adventures.
👉 Book Now: mudtomoose.com
📸 Make Your Own Fall Adventure
Planning a New Brunswick fall road trip?
Consider combining several of these destinations into one adventure:
Fredericton → Mactaquac → Saint John River Valley → Mud to Moose → Fundy Coast → Hopewell Rocks
You can experience mountains, rivers, forests, waterfalls, wildlife and the Bay of Fundy—all within one unforgettable New Brunswick road trip.