15 Best Waterfalls In Canada

While Niagara Falls takes the world stage, Canada is a paradise for all waterfall enthusiasts and boasts other impressive waterfalls that should be on your must-see list. From grandiose cascades to delicate ribbon-like streams, these natural wonders can be found all across the country. Whether you're looking for a place to cool off on a hot summer day or simply want to take in the beauty of nature, Canada's waterfalls have something to offer everyone.

The travel experts at Canadian Train Vacations love exploring this country. That includes taking in all the incredible waterfalls, whether on a hike or a train journey. They have put together a list of waterfalls in Canada. From roadside views to multi-day hikes, this list has something for everyone. Some you can view from the train window or take your time to explore and get up close. A select few even let travellers cross above their cascading waters on a suspension bridge—talk about bucket-list goals!

Narrowing down the list to the most exceptional falls was not easy, yet we are sure you will agree with our picks. Check out our list below.

1. Helmcken Falls

Helmcken Falls is a 141 m (463 feet) cascading waterfall located in British Columbia, Canada. It is the fourth-highest waterfall in the country and is situated at the mouth of the Murtle River, where it flows into the Moule Creek downstream of Kinney Lake. The falls were named after Dr. John Sebastian Helmcken, a surgeon and the first non-native to explore the area in 1858.

Wells Gray Provincial Park, which is north of Clearwater and east of Valemount, provides quick access to the falls by car. There are many vantage spots throughout the park, including one over Helmcken Falls. The Yellowhead Highway connects Vancouver to it, while Highway 24 connects Kamloops to it. The hours of operation for the falls change depending on the season, although they are open every day of the year.

Helmcken Falls does not charge admission, although access to Wells Gray Provincial Park may incur a price. The best time to go is in the late afternoon when the sun casts a golden glow over the falls. To fully appreciate the views, tourists may need two to three hours.

Helmcken Falls is truly a sight to behold and should not be missed by anyone visiting British Columbia. With its towering cascades and dramatic scenery, it is one of the province’s most impressive natural wonders.

2. Shannon Falls

Shannon Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in Canada, located in Squamish, British Columbia. It stands at a height of 335 m (1100 ft). The falls can be seen from many viewpoints around Squamish.

You can reach Shannon Falls by driving north on the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver. It takes about 1.5 hours to get there from downtown Vancouver. You can also take public transportation, such as a bus or train, and get off at Squamish Station, which is an 8-minute walk from Shannon Falls.

The falls are open all year and have no set hours of operation. It is best to visit during the day when the sun is shining to take in the breathtaking scenery. There are no fees or charges for visiting Shannon Falls.

It takes about 2-3 hours to explore on average, depending on how long you plan to spend there. The falls are best visited in the summer when they are at their peak or in the early morning and late evening during the spring and autumn months.

3. Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is a stunning natural wonder that straddles the US-Canada border. It’s made up of three spectacular waterfalls – the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and the Horseshoe Falls. Visitors to this majestic site have been awestruck for centuries by its spectacular beauty and power. This incredible site has long held a spiritual significance for many cultures, and today is a popular tourist destination with millions of visitors every year.

You can take the rail tour, which includes a coach from Toronto.

If you're driving from Buffalo to Niagara Falls, I-90 and I-190 will take you there over the Peace Bridge.

Though the Niagara Falls is open all year round, the working hours of the Falls vary depending on the season.

The cost of admission to Niagara Falls varies depending on your chosen viewing platform. Tickets for the Hornblower Niagara Cruise start at $17 USD ($22 CAD), while Journey Behind The Falls costs $14 USD ($19 CAD). Adult tickets for the Niagara SkyWheel start at $10 USD ($13 CAD).

[ Read: Best Way to see Niagara Falls ]

4. Montmorency Falls

Montmorency Falls is a magnificent waterfall located in Quebec, Canada. It is 83 m high and is one of the most visited tourist spots in the area. Its impressive height makes it 30 m higher than Niagara Falls. The falls are part of Parc de la Chute Montmorency, which features various activities such as zip-lining and hiking.

You can go to Montmorency Falls by car, bike, bus, or boat. If you decide to drive, there are several parking lots on site. The Parkbus, which leaves from downtown Quebec City, is the nearest mode of public transit. Additionally offered are boat cruises, which are a fun way to see the region.

Both the park and the falls are open all year long. But depending on the time of year, hours of operation may change. The location is often closed after sunset during the winter months, although it is open from 8 am to midnight from May through October.

The park has no entrance fee, but some activities may require a fee.

The best time of day to visit Montmorency Falls is early in the day when the sun is still low in the sky and the air is magical.

5. Bridal Veil Falls 

Situated within the City of Chilliwack and just east of Rosedale, British Columbia, lies Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park - an incredible BC Park that is easily accessible via the Trans-Canada Highway.

The scenic landscape consists of rolling hills and valleys, making it the perfect spot to take in fresh air while picnicking or hiking. One of the park's main attractions is its namesake—Bridal Veil Falls—where you can witness cascading waters plummeting 60 metres down a smooth rock face creating a beautiful "veil-like" effect.

In cold winters, Bridal Veil Falls becomes a wall of ice that is often shaky and precarious. As a result, the park closes off access to the base of this waterfall.

Activities available at this park are hiking, wildlife viewing, and picnicking. Bring a camera and some snacks, and wear comfortable shoes for exploring the area around the falls.

6. Kakabeka Falls

Kakabeka Falls, located in the province of Ontario, Canada is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the country. Also known as 'Niagara of the North', it stands tall at 40 meters. It falls from the edge of a sheer cliff into the Kaministiquia River with such force that it creates an ethereal mist around its vicinity. This majestic sight is a part of Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park, which also boasts many hiking trails.

Kakabeka Falls is open all year, and there is no fee for visiting the area. It can be visited anytime during the day or at night, but it is best to come during the day to get the full experience. The falls are located 14 km west of the city of Thunder Bay on Highway 11/17.

A visit to Kakabeka Falls will typically take around 2 hours. Visitors can witness the beauty of nature and take in the area's wonderful sights, sounds, and smells. Plenty of walking trails available give visitors access to spectacular views from various angles.

[ Read: Things to do in Ontario ]

7. Takakkaw Falls

Takakkaw Falls is a breathtaking waterfall located in Yoho National Park, British Columbia. It is one of the highest waterfalls in western Canada and its booming sound can be heard from miles away. The name Takakkaw comes from the Cree language meaning "magnificent" or "wonderful".

The waterfall can be reached from the Trans-Canada Highway, travelling east past Field towards Lake Louise in Alberta. It's about 11 km (7 miles) from the highway to the falls parking lot. The road is not paved and can be quite steep and winding in some areas. Visitors should drive cautiously and watch out for wildlife along the way.

The falls are open all year round and the best time to visit is during late spring or early summer when the water flow is at its peak. During this time, visitors can witness a powerful cascade of water over a 250 m (820 ft) drop from Daly Glacier. The view from the bottom of the Falls is especially stunning when rainbows can be seen in the mist.

8. Panther Falls

Visitors worldwide flock to Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, for a glimpse of Panther Falls. This eye-catching cascade originates from Nigel Creek and is situated between Cirrus Mountain and Nigel Peak's slopes in Parker Ridge. With its impressive 66 m drop over a wide 20 m width, this class 3 waterfall captivates everyone with its beauty.

[ Read: Facts about Banff National Park ]

Reaching Panther Falls is easy and requires only a short hike (1.2 km) from the Nigel Creek trailhead located near the Icefields Parkway. The trek along the riverbed offers stunning views of Cirrus Mountain, and you will likely spot wildlife like Rocky Mountain sheep and elk on your way. It is best to plan your visit between 10 am and 6 pm. The park has no entry fee or timings and is open on all days of the week.

It is highly recommended to visit Panther Falls in the morning hours or around sunsets to experience its full beauty in peace. Some people hike to the falls in the winter, too.

9. Della Falls

Magnificent Della Falls is a sight to behold. At an awe-inspiring 440m, it stands as the 16th tallest waterfall in the world. Immerse yourself in its majestic beauty by visiting Strathcona Provincial Park on glorious Vancouver Island.

To reach Della Falls, you can take a short seaplane flight from Vancouver to Campbell River and rent a car for the 45-minute drive.

Della Falls is open all year round, with the best time for visiting between May and September. The entrance fee is $ 3 per person or $ 6 per vehicle.

If you’re looking to glimpse Della Falls in all its glory, it’s best to visit around midday.

10. Albion Falls

With its majestic cascades and beautiful rock formation, Albion Falls is one of the finest waterfalls in the Red Hill Valley in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Located on Mountain Brow Blvd., Red Hill Creek gushes over a 19-meter tall shelf formed from years of erosion that sprawls 18 meters wide.

Visitors to King's Forest will be welcomed by this stunning setting which never fails to awe observers with its sheer beauty.

The falls are in King’s Forest Park and open to visitors from sunrise to sunset throughout the year without fees. The best time to visit Albion Falls is in the late afternoon when the sun illuminates it with a soft golden hue.

Since it is such a popular spot, there can sometimes be long waits to get the perfect shot of this natural wonder.

11. Alexandra Falls

The breathtaking Alexandra Falls, part of the Twin Falls Gorge Territorial Park in Canada's Northwest Territory, is only 72 kilometres (45 miles) from the Alberta/NWT border when navigating along Waterfall Highway. Delightfully situated among two other stunning falls - Louise and Twin.

The falls are magnificent, tumbling 52 m into a pool below.

The Alexandra Falls entryway offers a large RV parking lot and day-use area, which features all you'll need for an enjoyable time. Picnic tables, fire pits, grassy areas to relax on, and viewing benches are ready to welcome visitors looking for fun in the sun.

The best way to reach Alexandra Falls is by car. Visitors can take Highway 5, also known as the Waterfalls highway, from Alberta/NWT border crossing and drive 72 km (45 miles).

12. Pissing Mare Falls

The mesmerizing waterfall bears a unique name that the Newfoundlanders coined. They refer to these small ponds with meandering streams running towards the fjords as 'piss-a-mare.'

Pissing Mare Falls is a breathtaking landmark, boasting an awe-inspiring upper portion that stands at around 250 meters tall. When the wind picks up, the water can be seen blowing off or even shooting upwards—it truly is a sight to behold!

The Pissing Mare Falls is located in Newfoundland and Labrador, around 12 km from Corner Brook. You can reach the falls either by public transport or by renting a car.

13. Nailicho (Virginia Falls)

Virginia Falls graces the magnificent Nahanni National Park Reserve, located in Canada's Northwest Territories merely 120 km from Yukon. With an elevation of 500 m and a remarkable 96 m drop, this stunning waterfall is twice as high as Niagara Falls! Whether you are looking for picturesque views or breathtaking adventure, Virginia Falls has it all.

The nearest airport to this beautiful location is the Fort Simpson Airport, located around 70 km away from it. You can further hire a rental vehicle or take the public bus to get here. The national park remains open throughout the year; however, visitors are advised to plan their visit during June - September when the park is most accessible.

Visitors must also pay an admission fee that varies with age and season. The best time to visit Virginia Falls is during the early morning hours as the sunlight falls on the mist from the waterfall, creating a magical effect around it.

14. Athabasca Falls

Famous for its sheer power, Athabasca Falls in Jasper National Park in Alberta packs a punch with a 24 m (80 ft) plunge and 18 m (60 ft) width. Although it may not be the highest or largest waterfall of the Canadian Rockies, visitors still marvel at its spectacular sights.

It is considered the most powerful waterfall in the mountain range. Visitors can reach it year-round by car from Jasper townsite (13 km) and via several hiking trails. The Waterfalls Viewpoint is open 24 hours, while the Chaba Access Point is open daily from 9 am to 9 pm. There are no entrance fees required to access the falls. The best time to visit is between June and October when the snow has melted, and water levels are high.

The busiest times of day are usually mid-afternoon when the sun is at its strongest. However, visitors may also opt for longer hikes with spectacular fall views. The nearby Glacier Skywalk offers a sky-high view of the Athabasca River and its majestic cascades.

15. Brandywine Falls

Brandywine Falls Provincial Park is a serene provincial park that lies next to BC Highway 99, located between Garibaldi and Whistler in British Columbia, Canada. It is located at 8176 Brandywine Road in Sagamore Hills Township. Boasting a picturesque landscape of waterfalls, lakes, and lush meadows, the area is managed by Sea to Sky Parks for BC Parks.

Brandywine Falls itself is an impressive 70-metre (230 ft) waterfall. This tranquil spot is open every day from sunrise to sunset, although it may be closed when icy paths make the trail risky.

From hiking to picnicking, mountain biking, or simply taking in the breathtaking waterfall view, this park offers something for everyone.