Kakabeka Falls: 5 Reasons to Stop on Your Next Cross Country Trip

This epic waterfall is the best Northern Ontario pit stop ever. Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park is easily accessed right off the Trans-Canada Highway just west of Thunder Bay.
Kakabeka-Falls-5-reasons-to-stop.jpg

It had been quite a few years since I had visited Kakabeka Falls in Northwest Ontario when I decided to stop while on a road trip this summer. In the past, I had only viewed the falls from the highway side. This year, we decided to spend some time and cross the bridge to the other side of the waterfalls, and I'm so glad I did! I am truly amazed by the beauty and power of the waterfalls. Often called the Niagara of the North, they're Ontario's second-highest falls. 

The iron-stained water of the Kaministiquia River drops 40 meters (130ft) into a gorge carved out of the Precambrian Shield. The Kam River has cut deep into the rocks to reveal 1.6 million-year-old fossils at the bottom of the falls. 

Note: The escarpments along the gorge, visible from the observation decks, are composed primarily of unstable shale and are eroding. Due to the fragile rock, access to the gorge below the falls is prohibited.

Here are 5 reasons you must stop at Kakabeka Falls next time you are in Northwest Ontario

1. Easy to get to

Like many other waterfalls in Northwest Ontario, Kakabeka Falls is easily accessible. In fact, it's literally right off Highway 11/17. You exit, you park, and the first view of the waterfalls is right there, a mere 100 ft (or less!) from your car. Kakabeka Falls is only about 32km (20 miles) west of Thunder Bay.

2. The falls are not commercialized

Kakabeka Falls is located within the Provincial Park and thus is set in a wilderness setting. The closest thing to commercialization would be the few souvenirs to purchase at the Ontario Parks Store in the Visitor Centre. Boardwalks and viewing platforms offer excellent views on both sides of the Kaministiquia River. The Natural Heritage Education Program is based at the Visitor Centre where you can find information on the park, enjoy interpretive programs during summer months and speak to a Naturalist.

From a viewing platform you can not only see the waterfalls, but also the gorge across the river. The Kam River has cut a gorge throught the rock layers exposing the spirits and stories of 2 billion years ago.
From a viewing platform, you can not only see the waterfalls, but also the gorge across the river. The Kam River has cut a gorge through the rock layers exposing the spirits and stories of 2 billion years ago.

3. Trails and viewing decks are accessible 

The Boardwalk Trail begins at the parking lot and wraps around the falls. It is wheelchair accessible with viewing platforms along the trail. The view from the pedestrian bridge is amazing. When you view the falls later in the season, like I did in mid-August, the water is fairly calm on top, reminding me of an infinity pool. I've seen photos in the spring where the view from the pedestrian bridge shows rapidly gushing water before plunging over the falls. 

The wheelchair accessible Mountain Portage Trail at Kakabeka Falls
The wheelchair-accessible Mountain Portage Trail at Kakabeka Falls
 

The Mountain Portage Trail is a 1.25km trail that starts near the Visitor Centre and follows in part the portage that early travelers used to traverse around Kakabeka Falls. The trail provides great views of the falls, gorge, and river. The trail is gravel, however, it is flat, and wide, and pushing a stroller should be fairly easy if you have young ones.

The Mountain Portage connected Lake Superior to Lake of the Woods
The Mountain Portage connected Lake Superior to Lake of the Woods

The Little Falls Trail is one that I didn't go down but wished I would have. It splits downward from the Mountain Portage Trail. The trail meanders along the river bank, then follows a creek to a smaller waterfall. This trail is not wheelchair accessible.

4. Great views of the falls from many angles

The boardwalks and viewing decks make it possible to see the falls from various places. My favourite place to view the falls was the first viewing decks just after you cross the bridge. You can see the water just as it's going over the edge. It's a bit more rugged on this side, with more variation in the rock. At one point farther along you could see the waterfalls and the gorge wrap around at the same time.

Watching the waterfalls at Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park
Watching the waterfalls at Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park

5. It's a bargain!

There is a modest fee for parking which enables travellers to visit the waterfalls - the second-highest waterfalls open year-round in Ontario. Not sure what other attractions can be so beautiful to see and yet so inexpensive. You can easily tour the waterfall by paying only for an hour of parking.

The Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park also has a campground if you'd like to stay longer than a visit to the falls. You can call 1-888-668-7275 to reserve or reserve a campsite online. If you are just going to the waterfalls, there's no need to reserve just pull in and get a parking pass.

Plan to stop in at Kakabeka Falls the next time you are driving the Trans-Canada Highway near Thunder Bay, it's such a great view. Plus you can have a picnic in the park, use the washroom and stretch your legs. Enjoy!

 

About Erin Rody

I grew up on Black Sturgeon Lake in Northwestern Ontario. I am a staff writer for the Sunset Country Travel Association. Through my articles I hope to entice you to visit the wonderful region I call home. We are all about outdoor adventure; with 70,000 lakes and rivers and a whole lot of forests how can we not be? Whether you like to fish, hunt, canoe, kayak, boat or go camping, Sunset Country has something for you. Enjoy!

Recommended Articles

Is the 1,400 Kilometre Drive to Northwest Ontario For a Fishing Trip Worth it?

It depends if you want to catch hundreds of fish a day or not!

6 ways to get in your 10,000 steps in this fall

It's easier than you think!

Looking for somewhere new to fish?

The Morson area of Lake of the Woods is fantastic!

Has not having a passport kept you from vacationing in Canada?

It's easier to get than you may think!

Discover The Winnipeg River

From fur traders to trophy anglers, the beauty hasn't changed.

Enjoy the Fall Colours

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn

Fishing in the Fall?

Here's some walleye fishing tips as the weather cools down.

6 reasons to book a fall trip to Sunset Country

Sunny days + cool nights + zero bugs = heaven on Earth.

10 Reasons to Avoid Ontario

Haters of wilderness, wildlife, and quiet: best steer clear.

A Guide to Sunset Country Museums

Learn while you visit!

5 Amazing Sights You Can Only See By Boat

From mermaids to boat-in museums, the Northwest corner of Ontario has some of the coolest sights to see on water!

Fall Fishing Tips

As the weather cools down, the fishing heats up in Sunset Country!

5 Essential Boreal Experiences in Ontario's Sunset Country

Freshwater fishing, forest hiking, and sunset views await in this pristine paradise

5 Obscure Facts About Northwestern Ontario: Were You Aware of These?

Here are 5 facts that most people don't know about Sunset Country.

Outdoor Medicine

Here's why experiencing the natural world is good for you—and your health.

Bringing Your Pet to Canada

What You Need to Know

Heading Across Canada?

Here's what you need to know about Sunset Country (from the giant moose statues to the even bigger waterfalls)

There's more than just fishing in the Red Lake Region

Although the fishing's pretty good too!

Going fishing in Ontario?

Your lodging has just the boat you need!

Outdoor Adventure in Ontario's Northern Paradise

On the links, on the trails, and on the water–discover why Kenora has it all this fall!

Plan your trip

Book the the trip you never got to take this summer

Tips from a Fishing Legend

Big Bass, Walleye, Muskie and So Much More

Going Fishing in Canada?

Get the answers to your questions

What makes Wabigoon such a great lake to fish?

Well for one, it has potential for the next world record muskie!

Search Sunset Country