Kakabeka Falls

Kakabeka Falls is a natural wonder located within the Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park off Highway 11/17 near Thunder Bay. At over 40 metres, Kakabeka Falls is the second-highest waterfall in Ontario.

Nicknamed “the Niagara of the North”, the waterfalls offer stunning scenery and an easy hike to amazing views. A pedestrian bridge welcomes visitors to view each side of the falls and to explore the Kaministiquia River and gorge below. 

The trail to the falls is wheelchair accessible and begins in the parking lot. Viewing platforms make snapping Instagram pics easy, and souvenirs can be found in the Visitor Centre.

For up-to-date information and details on Kakabeka Falls, we recommend you visit their website. For information about other places of interest to explore nearby, keep scrolling to see what Destination Ontario recommends.

Water rushes down the falls with a low bridge in the background

More about Kakabeka Falls

The Kaministiquia River flows 95 km from Dog Lake and empties into Lake Superior near Thunder Bay. Kakabeka Falls is the second-largest waterfall in Ontario and is an easy stop when travelling the Trans-Canada Highway near Thunder Bay and offers many opportunities for exploration.


Hiking At Kakabeka Falls

You’ll find many opportunities to enjoy the scenic views and stunning landscape around Kakabeka Falls when you set out on one of the nature trails. Viewing platforms along the way provide excellent views of the falls, and visitors will be able to snap a few pics to preserve their memories.

The Boardwalk Trail is easily accessible from the main parking lot and is 750 metres. It’s an easy walk, wheelchair accessible, and offers excellent views of the falls from both sides of the river via the pedestrian bridge.

The Mountain Portage Trail, also wheelchair accessible, is rated as easy and is 1.25 km long. This loop trail is part of the portage trail early travellers used to go around Kakabeka Falls and offers views of the river and gorge below.

The Little Falls Trail is considered moderate to difficult and is a 2.5 km loop. It branches off Mountain Portage Trail and features a steep descent into the gorge below.

Three other trails, Poplar Point Trail and the interconnecting Beaver Meadows and River Terrace Trails, are moderate loop trails and provide winter visitors the chance to explore the area while on cross-country skis. Poplar Point Trail is 4 km, and Beaver Meadows and River Terrace are 4.5 and 3.5 km, respectively.
 

Camping At Kakabeka Falls

If you have more time to visit Kakabeka Falls and are looking for areas to camp, there are several campgrounds in the area that offer different types of camping.

Whispering Hills Campground offers electrical hookups and pull-through campsites. Amenities include laundry facilities, comfort stations, and showers. The sanitary trailer station is located near the entrance to the campground. Campers can enjoy the nature trails and enjoy swimming in the river. Also located near the campground is Popular Point Trail, which is groomed for cross-country skiing and is a popular winter destination.

Riverside and Fern’s Edge Campgrounds offer more basic camping options and have some pull-through campsites for trailers. Amenities at these campgrounds include comfort stations and restrooms.

The campgrounds at Kakabeka Falls are seasonal, so be sure to plan ahead if you’re considering a visit during the off-season, which generally runs from May to October.
 

What Else Is There To Do?

Visitors to Kakabeka Falls can enjoy scenic nature walks, stunning views of the falls, and watching the local wildlife. If you’re looking to spend a few days in the area, there are several excellent destinations to choose from in nearby Thunder Bay.

Fort William Historical Park is one of the largest living history attractions in North America. Through educational exhibits and activities, visitors explore life from 200 years ago during the fur trade in Fort William. One of the highlights of a visit to Fort William is the David Thompson Astronomical Observatory, which is home to one of the largest telescopes in Central Canada. There are programs and opportunities to explore the universe all year long.

Visitors to the Thunder Bay area can explore museums, parks, and various dining and entertainment options. 

Last updated: September 14, 2023

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