10 of the Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Canada

Canada is home to some breathtaking waterfalls. With our vast wilderness and diverse landscapes, it’s no surprise that waterfalls can be found from coast to coast. Some are easy to reach, others take a bit of a hike, but they all offer a spectacular show. Here are ten of the most beautiful waterfalls in Canada - in no particular order - that are sure to leave you in awe. 

Niagara Falls

Photo by Stephen Crane on Unsplash

Niagara Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in the world. Straddling the border between Ontario and New York, this massive trio of falls roars with power, sending mist high into the air and drawing millions of visitors every year.

Montmorency Falls

Photo by Merc on Unsplash

Montmorency Falls, just outside Quebec City, is a stunning sight that stands even taller than Niagara Falls at 83 metres high. The waterfall cascades dramatically into the St. Lawrence River, and visitors can take in the view from a suspension bridge, cable car, or the scenic stairs that wind alongside it.

Athabaska Falls

Athabasca Falls, located in Jasper National Park, Alberta, is known for its incredible power rather than its height. The falls crash through a narrow canyon with thunderous force, carving dramatic rock formations and sending up a constant mist. It’s an easy stop along the Icefields Parkway and a must-see for anyone exploring the Canadian Rockies.

Helmcken Falls

Photo by Ozzie Kirkby on Unsplash

Helmcken Falls, located in British Columbia’s Wells Gray Provincial Park, is the fourth-highest waterfall in Canada, plunging 141 metres into a rugged canyon below. Surrounded by dense forest and dramatic cliffs, it’s a breathtaking sight - especially in winter, when ice formations build up around the base. It's one of the park's most iconic and easily accessible attractions.

Takakkaw Falls

Photo by Kshiti Patel on Unsplash

Takakkaw Falls, located in Yoho National Park in British Columbia, is the second-highest in the country, plunging around 373 m (with a main drop of 254 m) Fed by meltwater from the Daly Glacier, it roars to life in late spring and early summer, creating thunderous cascades that shoot mist into the air - often painted with rainbows in the sunshine. 

Shannon Falls

Photo by Andrew Darlington on Unsplash

Shannon Falls, located just south of Squamish along BC’s famous Sea to Sky Highway, drops an impressive 335 metres, making it the third highest waterfall in the province. A short, easy 350-metre walk through lush old-growth forest leads to two scenic viewing platforms, where you can watch the water thunder down the cliffs and feel the cool mist rising through the trees.

Virginia Falls

Virginia Falls, located in Nahanni National Park Reserve in the Northwest Territories, is one of Canada’s most spectacular and remote waterfalls. Twice the height of Niagara Falls, it plunges 96 metres into a rugged canyon, surrounded by untouched wilderness. Reaching it usually involves a floatplane or multi-day river trip, making the experience all the more unforgettable.

Kakabeka Falls

Kakabeka Falls, often called the "Niagara of the North," is the second-highest waterfall in Ontario, plunging 40 metres over sheer cliffs. Located near Thunder Bay in Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park, it’s easy to access and features viewing platforms that offer stunning views of the Kaministiquia River as it rushes through a dramatic gorge.

Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls in British Columbia is a stunning, segmented waterfall that plunges approximately 122 m (400 ft) down a broad, smooth rock face, earning its name from the delicate, veil-like cascade it creates.

Pissing Mare Falls

Pissing Mare Falls is a dramatic, ribbon-like waterfall cascading down the cliffs of Western Brook Pond in Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland and Labrador. Dropping over 350 metres (1,150 feet), it's one of the tallest waterfalls in eastern North America and can be viewed by boat tour as it plunges into the fjord-like landscape carved by glaciers.

Canada has over 1,700 waterfalls, each with its own unique beauty, setting, and character. This list only highlights 10 of the most beautiful, but it offers just a glimpse of what the country has to offer. From remote wilderness drops to easily accessible roadside cascades, Canada’s waterfalls are as diverse as the landscape itself.