The lush, green foliage in Mississauga will quickly change into hues of vibrant yellows, oranges and reds as fall begins to replace summer. But it only lasts for a brief, beautiful moment. If you don’t stop and admire the colours that autumn has to offer — then, before you know it, the dreary and cold conditions of winter will rattle the trees, causing them to shed their leaves and remain barren until spring.

Here are a few spots across Mississauga where fall foliage stands to offer the most plentiful bouquets of colour for your viewing pleasure.

Rattray Marsh

Located on Lake Ontario in South Mississauga, Rattray Marsh Conservation Area is a perfect location to congregate at in order to witness the dazzling autumn scenery. The various trails, elevated pathways and boardwalks are bordered, on both sides, by immense trees. By venturing out and into Rattray Marsh — visitors can get a highly serene experience with nature in one of the city’s most unique environmental settings.   

Meadowvale Conservation Area

In the north side of the city, the Meadowvale Conservation is split in two by the Credit River with a bridge connecting the two halves. The west side of the Meadowvale Conservation area features ample multi-use trails that lead into pockets of forested areas brimming with the fiery colours of this time of the year. Make sure to bring a camera and snap a few pictures for keepsakes of the trip.

Erindale Park

This 222-acre park is a gargantuan greenbelt situated near the intersection of Dundas Street West and Mississauga Road. It’s the largest park in the city and it features the David J. Culham Trail, spilling through heavily-forested areas that provide majestic views of the Credit River and ravines. It is a particularly sublime trail during the autumn and accessible to hikers, joggers, cyclists and cross-country skiers alike.

Port Credit Memorial Park

Memorial Park in Port Credit is a great destination where fall foliage colours mingle with an urban setting. Situated at the mouth of the Credit River and Lake Ontario, this picturesque park features a plethora of leisurely walking trails. There is even a gazebo to sit under and admire the tree lines bursting with the bright yellows, oranges and reds that fall is famous for. The surrounding areas are also a great place to catch autumn colours amidst a backdrop of the Port Credit neighbourhood.

Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens

The Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens, formerly called Cranberry Cove, is a unique garden space. Located on Lakeshore Road West, this 17.78 acre waterfront Garden Park is popular for the hundreds of rhododendrons that bloom from mid May to June. However, it’s also a fantastic location to catch fall colours intermingling with the garden throughout the autumn.

Riverwood

Nature, history and art blend together to create the peaceful and memorable outdoor setting that is Riverwood in central Mississauga. Riverwood extends north from Burnhamthorpe Road West to Highway 403. This 150 acre urban oasis features more than 475 species of plants and animals, multiple scenic woodland trails and beautiful gardens that are a spectacular sight to the eye any time of the year, but even more so when the fall colours take over.