Foley Mountain is spectacular in fall, but visitors should plan ahead to avoid crowds.
During peak season (end of September to mid-October), staff are on-site every day to assist visitors with purchasing passes, managing parking, and helping things run smoothly. Visitors may be asked to park in auxiliary parking at the Interpretive Centre and other areas away from Spy Rock to ease congestion.
See the Foley Fall Colours map below for alternative parking and trail directions (click map to download a PDF):
Tips For An Unforgettable Foley Mountain Visit:
1. Avoid peak times
Thanksgiving weekend is the busiest time of the year at Foley Mountain, with weekends on either side of the holiday also attracting large crowds. Avoid line-ups and crowds by visiting at off-peak times, such as early in the morning or in the evening, and mid-week instead of weekends.
2. Plan ahead for parking
The Spy Rock parking lot fills up quickly, especially on weekends. Come prepared with coins instead of credit cards for the pay machine, or use www.PayByPhone.com to reduce long line-ups (location code 5204).
You may be asked to park in auxiliary parking areas at the Interpretive Centre, group camping site or at designated spots along the main road to reduce congestion. Be prepared to hike a short distance back to Spy Rock, either along the road or using one of the park’s other trails.
3. Share Spy Rock
As one of the most popular lookouts at Foley Mountain, Spy Rock can be a busy spot during fall colours. Please be considerate of other visitors and resist the temptation to linger a long time when others are waiting. Take your time to enjoy the view and take some photos, and then let others have a chance!
4. Explore the whole park
There’s more to Foley Mountain than just Spy Rock: explore it! Foley Mountain offers 10 kilometres of trails ranging from our accessible 400-metre Mobility Trail (including a Story Trail for the youngest visitors) to more rugged treks across the top of the mountain.
Check out these three alternative fall hikes: https://www.rvca.ca/view-all-blog-posts/beyond-spy-rock-three-fabulous-fall-hikes-at-foley-mountain
5. Stay informed
For maps and general park information visit www.rvca.ca/conservation-areas/fee-required/foley-mountain-ca. For the most up-to-date information follow our Facebook pages at @FoleyMountain and @RideauValleyConservationAuthority or follow RVCA on Twitter at @RideauValleyCA.
