Top 9 Most Impressive Waterfalls In Canada

Top 9 Most Impressive Waterfalls In Canada

What is it about waterfalls that captivates us? There's something hypnotic about watching water flow indefinitely over rock. If you're the type of person who can happily stare at free-falling water for hours on end, you'll want to check out these best waterfalls in Canada.

While Niagara Falls is the most famous waterfall in the world, Canada is a paradise for all waterfall enthusiasts, with many other impressive waterfalls to visit. These natural wonders can be found all over the country, ranging from massive cascades to delicate ribbon-like streams. Whether you want to cool off on a hot summer day or simply enjoy the beauty of nature, Canada's waterfalls have something for everyone.

How many waterfalls are there in Canada?

There are over 1,700 named waterfalls in Canada, with many more that are likely uncharted. It wasn't easy to choose the best of the best in a country rich in waterfalls, but we think you'll agree that those on this list are pretty special.

Some are insanely tall, while others spill an unfathomable amount of water. Others are surrounded by pristine wilderness, creating a scene so magical that you may need to pinch yourself. This isn't a dream; it's real life in Canada.

READ MORE: How to bring a touch of nature into your house?

Top 9 Most Impressive Waterfalls In Canada

1. Niagara Falls

Location: Niagara River into the Niagara Gorge; border of New York, United States, and Ontario, Canada

Niagara Falls is a popular international tourist destination, and for good reason. It's impossible to capture the sheer volume of water without seeing it in person, no matter how many times you've seen it in a picture or on video.

Niagara Falls isn't the longest waterfall in Canada – at just over 50 meters high, it doesn't even come close – but it is incredible wide. Niagara Falls is actually three waterfalls: the one you see from the Canadian side is called Horseshoe Falls, and it is 790 meters wide with an average annual flow rate of 2,400 cubic meters per second.

2. Helmcken Falls

Location: Wells Gray Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada

Helmcken Falls, one of Canada's most beautiful waterfalls, is located in the magnificent Wells Gray Provincial Park, which was created primarily to protect the mighty falls. Gushing water has steadily carved out a sizable canyon at the foot of the cascades, and in the winter, freezing spray forms an icy spectacle around the sides. Although spring is often the best time of year to see waterfalls, winter is also a good time. Witnessing the falls' ferociously fast-moving water in contrast to the encircling hard ice cones is impressive.

3. Shannon Falls

Location: Shannon Falls Provincial Park, British Columbia

Shannon Falls' tumbling rapids rush over a series of granite cliffs into Howe Sound and, eventually, the Pacific Ocean. Getting to these falls is simple, as they are only two kilometers south of Squamish along the Sea to Sky Highway. The falls are only 200 metres from the parking lot along a paved path and are best viewed in the spring or autumn. Once at the falls, a network of trails and boardwalks allow you to further explore the picturesque surroundings. These falls, named after William Shannon, a brick maker who settled in the area in the late 1800s, are the third highest in British Columbia.

4. Virginia Falls

Location: Nahanni National Park Reserve, Northwest Territories, Canada

When it comes to epic Canadian waterfalls, Niagara Falls gets the most attention, but Virginia Falls is twice as tall. It also has the same impressive single drop waterfall style - it doesn't jump around or change direction; it's just a massive mass of water flowing straight over the edge.

However, getting to these falls is a little more difficult. To get to Virginia Falls, you must travel far north, to Nahanni National Park Reserve in the Northwest Territories.

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5. Takakkaw Falls

Location: Yoho National Park, British Columbia

Takakkaw, which loosely translates to "the magnificent," is a fitting name for Canada's second-highest waterfall. These falls are only a short hike from the parking lot along a wheelchair accessible path after a steep drive up a winding road. Even though the falls are visible from afar, the spectacular views, magnificent roar, and cold mist provide an awe-inspiring sensory experience up close. The road to the falls is usually only open from the end of June to the middle of October, and it is weather dependent.

6. Athabasca Falls

Location: Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

Athabasca Falls, one of Canada's most beautiful waterfalls, is the crowning glory of Alberta's renowned Jasper National Park. The falls stand out from the other spectacular cascades on this list due to the massive amount of water that spills out at once. It is not the tallest waterfall, standing only 23 meters tall, but the amount of water that pours down from the cascade nonstop is incredible. The water's spectacular color, which varies from pearly white to azure blue and changes throughout the year, is always breathtaking.

7. Pissing Mare Falls

Location: Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland, Canada

While Pissing Mare Falls may not have the most poetic name, it is undeniably one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country. These falls are located in Newfoundland's Gros Morne National Park's well-known inlet at Western Trout Pond. Pissing Mare Falls' lush, untamed surroundings contribute to its stunning beauty. Because of the spectacular setting of rugged peaks clad in vibrant green vegetation, these cascades are a sight to behold. Pissing Mare is best visited in the spring because it is fed by a glacier.

8. Montmorency Falls

Location: the boundary between the borough of Beauport, and Boischatel

The Montmorency Falls are a massive cascade on the Montmorency River in Quebec. These magnificent falls, located just outside of Quebec City, tower over Niagara Falls. A suspension bridge above the falls offers breathtaking views of the raging river, the St. Lawrence River, and even Île d'Orléans. A funicular will take you from the top to the bottom (or vice versa), but there is also a wooden stairway for those who want to get their daily steps in. The waterfalls are open all year, and in the winter, the spray freezes into a sheet of flowing ice that only the bravest—or most reckless, depending on your perspective—can scale.

9. Bridal Veil Falls

Location: Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Bridal Veil Falls is a waterfall in Alberta, Canada's Banff National Park. It begins in the Huntington Glacier on the Cirrus Mountain slopes. Its waters flow into Nigel Creek, then into the North Saskatchewan River near the Icefields Parkway's Big Bend. It has a drop of 1,200 feet (370 meters) and a breadth of 20 feet (6.1 m). The falls are accessible by a 15-minute walk through rich flora that includes cedars, hemlocks, and ferns. There are picnic tables accessible, and there are several opportunities to see animals along the way. Mount Cheam, where the falls are located, is also a favorite hang-gliding and paragliding location for those seeking a bird's eye perspective. The Bridal Veil Falls is one of Alberta's most popular attractions.

Conclusion

Which waterfalls do you love the most? All of them are so impressive with their height and location. Their beauty has attracted tourists to Canada. Falls are great places to stop along the way if you're planning a road trip in Canada. They are often found just off major roads, and several provincial parks have been established near waterfalls to provide easy access.

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