For a decade or so, we’ve a summer spot on Pigeon Lake, northeast of Bobcaygeon (at Nogies Creek). We’ve explored the area pretty extensively. But, one spot we hadn’t explored was Burleigh Falls. Until September, 2020…
It’s been on the radar for the past couple of years. It was a must-do for the summer of 2020. However, things got a bit crazy at this location earlier in the summer. At the start of July, 2020, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources was forced to shut the area down.
It seems, Burleigh Falls was suddenly on everyone’s radar. COVID-19 fueled a ‘local’ tourism boom. A lot of that local tourism was focused on waterfalls. The masses came from the Greater Toronto Area and overcrowded this place.
When it was reopened and it came time for us to make the trip east to visit, the crowds were gone. In fact, they were gone completely. When I capture the sunrise photos and video below, I was by myself for well over an hour. When we returned the next day so the kids could check it out, we saw less than ten other humans over our 2-3 hour stay.
Burleigh Falls Video
This video was taken with both the DSLR and GoPro Hero 5 Black. The DSLR shots were filmed with the aid of a Tamron 18-200mm zoom lens.
If you like what you see, please give the video a ‘Thumb’s Up’! We’d be forever grateful if you’d subscribe to our YouTube Channel…
Stunning Morning At Burleigh Falls
The timing was right. The conditions weren’t quite there. The sun was to rise basically directly downstream from the waterfall, over Stoney Lake. It did do that. It’s just that some lingering clouds got in the way. So, the blue hour kind of stunk but it eventually turned golden.
This is a typical Canadian Shield waterfall. Meaning that the water meanders over several drops and it a bit chaotic as it travels from lake to lake. I prefer this over a straight drop as it provides so many different angles to check out.
This is also, unfortunately, a typical Ontario waterfall in that it has been controlled by the hand of man. With the adjacent Lock 28 of the Trent Severn Waterway, the flow is controlled by a dam upstream, just beyond the highway bridge seen the video and a few of the photos.
It should be noted that this is a location with little to offer in the way of facilities. The land is crown land with no washrooms and just a small parking lot that fits maybe six cars. Parking on the adjacent road will get you towed. Believe me, after the debacle that forced the closure, your vehicle WILL GET TOWED.
Burleigh Falls Image Gallery
The photos in the image gallery have been cropped to fit the gallery format. For full-size versions, simply click on the individual pictures.
High resolution versions of these images and other photos from the same day are available at Dreamstime. Want to earn cash from your own photos? Why not sign up for free with Dreamstime and start submitting now: Become a paid photographer!
The Final Word
It was certainly nice to finally get to this location. Will I return? Yes. A visit with the kayak is already on the list for 2021. Also, to explore the opposite side of the waterfall by land, you must be a guest of the Burleigh Falls Inn, as it’s their property. A stay at the Inn might be a possibility, as well.
Then, there’s the upstream side of things. From the parking lot at Lock 28 of the Trent Severn Waterway, you can launch a canoe or kayak and head up Lovesick Lake to Wolf Island Provincial Park. This is a non-operating park that can only be accessed by water. This is definitely on the list for 2021.
Ultimately, this is a great stop if you’re vacationing in the Kawarthas or if you’re travelling up Highway 28 to places like Bancroft, Ontario or Algonquin Park. It’s not a full day destination but definitely a must-see.
As with any location: You are a guest. Respect the local residents. Always, always, always respect Mother Nature!
