Home to some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world, Canada has plenty of beautiful natural wonders that are worth the visit during your working holiday.
Did you know that there are over 1,700 named waterfalls in Canada?
With so many to choose from, it can be hard to decide which ones are worthy of an add to your bucket list.
Having that in mind, we have created this handy guide to our top 15 favourite Canadian waterfalls to inspire you to travel and help you choose the ones you prefer most.
Niagara falls
As one of the most famous waterfalls in the world, Niagara Falls definitely lives up to its reputation.
No amount of pictures or videos you see will prepare you for the sheer scale and volume of the magnificent and natural falls.
What a lot of people don’t know is that Niagara falls is actually made up of three separate waterfalls.
Horseshoe falls are the uppermost waterfalls that are divided by the U.S border with Canada.
Both the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are located on the U.S. side of the river, just downstream from horseshoe falls.
Montmorency Falls
Just outside of Quebec City, you will find Montmorency falls.
An impressive waterfall that stands 272 feet tall, nearly 100 feet taller than the famous Niagara Falls.
To experience everything the Montmorency falls has to offer, we recommend you start at the bottom and make your way to the top.
You can catch a lift to the top of the falls in a cable car or alternatively climb the staircase.
But, just a warning – it’s tough and should only be attempted by those in reasonably good shape.
Once at the top, you can take a walk across the suspension bridge for unbelievable views of falls.
That’s if you are not too freaked by heights, of course.
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Takakkaw Falls
Located in Yoho National Park, Takakkaw Falls is the second-highest waterfall in Canada.
The awe-inspiring waterfall is fed by the melting Daly glacier, which is a part of the Waputik icefield.
The good news is that Takakkaw Falls are easily accessible from the parking lot and a 1.3 km flat trail will get you as close as possible to the foot of the waterfall.
As you get closer, you will feel the impressive power of the water.
Remember to bring a rain jacket because you might get sprayed as you approach the waterfall.
Athabasca Falls
If you find yourself in Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, you have to stop and see Athabasca Falls.
Surrounded by some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, the falls are located just off Highway 93, also known as the icefields parkway. It’s one of the most scenic roadways in the world.
You will be happy to know that there is no hike involved.
From the car park to the main viewing platform is a 1 km long paved interpretive trail that explains how the canyon was formed, and the flora and fauna that can be found in the area.
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Helmcken Falls
If you happen to be exploring British Columbia, check out Helmcken Falls in Wells Gray Provincial Park.
The park was primarily created to protect the beautiful waterfall which drops 141 m into a gouged cavern below.
The falls are easily accessible from the road and there is a viewing platform available that will allow you to get the perfect shot of the waterfall.
The waterfall was named after John Sebastian Helmcken for the role he played in bringing British Columbia into confederation.
Unfortunately, he passed away before he ever got to visit this majestic waterfall.
Bridal Veil Falls
A 15-minute walk off the main highway, just outside of Chilliwack, you will find the delicate Bridal Veil Falls.
One of the prettiest Canadian waterfalls on our list, it really does look like its namesake as the water gently flows over the smooth rock beneath it.
Bridal Veil Falls provincial park makes for a great day out for everyone.
There are picnic tables located throughout the park and there are plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife and lush foliage.
For those looking for an adrenaline rush, the park is a very popular site for both hang-gliding and paragliding.
Kakabeka Falls
Located 30km west of the city of thunder bay on the Kaministiquia River, you will find Kakabeka Falls.
Nicknamed ‘Niagara of the north’, Kakabeka falls is easily accessible all year round and there are plenty of trails ready to be explored.
The falls are the second largest falls in the province of Ontario stretching 40 meters tall.
A platform wraps around the top of the falls which makes for some great views and picture opportunities.
Virginia Falls
You will find Virginia Falls in Nahanni National Park, the first-ever UNESCO world heritage site.
The park is a great spot for those looking for an adventure, with different hiking trails and guided river tours on offer.
If you happen to be in Nahanni National Park during the night, you will more than likely witness the Aurora Borealis or the northern lights.
There is no artificial lighting in the park which makes for a great view of the natural wonder.
Just a warning – the falls aren’t as accessible as some of the other waterfalls included on our list. The visitors must venture to the falls by floatplane, kayak, or canoe.
Pissing Mare Falls
We highly recommend you add Pissing Mare Falls to your waterfall bucket list.
The remote waterfall is located in the stunning Gros Morne National park at Western Brook Pond and is only accessible by a boat tour.
The landscape that surrounds the falls is some of the most beautiful in all of Canada and makes for some great photo opportunities.
Della Falls
Located 60km from the city of Port Alberni, British Columbia is Della Falls – the tallest waterfall in Canada.
The 440m, near-vertical waterfall cascades from Della Lake to the valley of Drinkwater Creek on Vancouver Island.
Della Lake is located deep within the mountainous Strathcona Lake and the falls are surrounded by a grand interior mountain.
Unfortunately, those falls aren’t widely accessible.
Other than helicopters, the only way to see the falls is by crossing the Great Central Lake by boat or by car from the opposite side of Strathcona Lake.
The hike to the base of the falls is approximately 15km long, with an added 3km to the viewing point.
Shannon Falls
Shannon Falls provincial park is home to the beautiful Shannon Falls, a 335-meter high waterfall.
The third highest in British Columbia!
The park is a popular spot for picnicking and hiking as it is located directly adjacent to highway 99.
The hike to the base of the falls is just a short 350 metres from the park’s car park.
There are viewpoints along the way and you have the opportunity to walk into the boulders that sit at the base of the falls in Shannon creek.
Once at the base of the falls, there are a number of smaller trails and boardwalks that allow you to delve deeper and explore more of the falls and the breathtaking scenery surrounding them.
Wapta Falls
Another waterfall waiting to be explored in the province of British Columbia is Wapta Falls.
Like Takakkaw Falls, Wapta Falls is also located in Yoho National Park but at the west end.
The hike to the falls is approximately 4.8km long and isn’t too strenuous.
There are plenty of places to stop along the way to enjoy a picnic or just to take in some of the stunning scenery that surrounds you.
We recommend that you bring some comfortable shoes or hiking boots, as the trail can get rather mucky, especially if it has been raining.
Brandywine Falls
The iconic and picturesque falls are a popular tourist destination along the sea to sky highway.
The traditional waterfall cascades into a massive canyon that sits at the bottom.
It’s a quick and easy 15-minute walk on flat terrain from the car park to the Brandywine Falls viewing platform.
Here you will get spectacular views of the impressive falls and great photo opportunities.
The park provides a number of different trails which are ideal for hiking and mountain biking as well as picnic and bathroom amenities.
Bull Waterfall
Bull Waterfall is located in Chutes-a-Bull Regional Park. It’s just an hour and a half outside of Montreal.
If you need a break from the city, why not head out to explore the park and all it has to offer?
The park boasts 6km worth of trails, with the one leading to Bull Falls being the most popular.
The waterfall is visible from two different vantage points – the top and the bottom of the falls. The views are equally as impressive from both ends.
If you find yourself at the park during a hot summer’s day, take the opportunity to dip your toes in and relax on the rocks at the base of the falls.
Ouiatchouan Falls
Another beautiful waterfall in Quebec is Ouiatchouan falls.
Located in the Saguenay Lac-St-Jean region the 72-meter high waterfall is one of the tallest and most dramatic in Quebec.
You can check out the falls from the ghost town of Val Jalbert – a popular tourist site.
The old town was developed around the falls but closed a few years later.
Nowadays, the town is used as a viewing spot for the waterfall.
You can also get to the foot of the falls fairly quickly through the entrance near Val-Jalbert.
Feeling inspired to travel and create beautiful memories while visiting any of the Canadian waterfalls listed above?
We would love to find out which ones you prefer most in the comments below! 🙂
