Kakabeka Falls
Kakabeka Falls is a natural wonder located within the Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park just west of Thunder Bay.
At over 40 metres, Kakabeka Falls is the second-highest waterfall in Ontario and is nicknamed “the Niagara of the North.” A pedestrian bridge welcomes visitors to view each side of the falls and to explore the Kaministiquia River and gorge below.
Catch glimpses of the local wildlife on scenic nature walks. Follow the accessible Boardwalk Trail to the more challenging Little Falls Trail, which descends into the gorge.
Kakabeka Falls | Destination Ontario
How to get to Kakabeka Falls
Location: 4853 Highway 11/17, Kakabeka Falls
By car: Kakabeka Falls is located off Highway 11/17, 30 kilometres west of Thunder Bay. Parking is available directly off the highway and next to the visitor centre.
By transit: Ontario Northland buses stop in the village of Kakabeka Falls, within walking distance to the Village Trail that leads to the falls.
Know before you go
Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park is open year-round. Visitors pay a fee to see the falls. Vehicle permits for two hours, four hours, or a full day can be purchased at the main gate.
Viewing platforms along the way provide excellent views of the falls. Learn about the falls and browse the gift shop at the visitor centre.
Things to do at Kakabeka Falls
Discover more activities and experiences.
Explore the trails
Set out on the nature trails, such as the Boardwalk Trail, Mountain Portage Trail and Little Falls Trail, which provide excellent views of the falls.
Look for wildlife
From deer and moose to bald eagles and blue jays, the area is home to diverse wildlife.
Join the Discovery staff
Get equipment and materials at the Exploration Station and join the Discovery Program in July and August to observe plants and animals around the park.
Swim at the beach
Relax on a small, secluded beach upriver of the falls marked off with buoys. Playground equipment and picnic tables are available.
Sleep in the woods
Campsites at Kakabeka include Whispering Hills, which offers amenities such as electric hookups and showers and Riverside or Fern’s Edge for basic camping options with restrooms.
Enjoy winter sports
During the wintertime, go cross-country skiing on over 15 kilometres of groomed trails, snowshoe past incredible views of the falls or skate on campground lanes.
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Interesting facts about Kakabeka Falls
The name “Kakabeka” comes from the Ojibwe word “gakaabikaa,” which means “waterfall over a cliff” and features in an Indigenous legend of a princess who led enemies down the river and over the falls to save her village.
Kakabeka Falls is located on the Kaministiquia River, which was a popular route for French fur traders in the 17th century. The water cascades into a gorge created by meltwater after the last glacial maximum. The river has cut deep into the rocks, revealing 1.6 million-year-old fossils at the bottom of the falls.
Last updated: September 17, 2024