We’ve previously featured Bobcaygeon and Lindsay. It seems only fitting that we complete the “Sturgeon Lake Triangle” in the Kawartha Lakes Region of Ontario, Canada with a look at Fenelon Falls. For those not familiar to the region, the Kawarthas show similarity to the Finger Lakes of New York.
Fenelon Falls, Ontario
A main cog in the Trent Severn Waterway, Fenelon Falls sits at the nortwest end of Sturgeon Lake. Lock 34 of the canal system, located in the centre of the small town, connects Sturgeon with Cameron Lake, heading west towards Lake Simcoe and Georgian Bay. Bobcaygeon, Ontario is located at the northeast end of Sturgeon, while Lindsay, Ontario is located at the far south end, a bit down the Scugog River. Visiting the three towns makes an excellent day trip for anyone living in, or visiting, the Greater Toronto Area.
The food might be a bit underachieving in the minds of some, but the view is outstanding. Fallsview Restaurant is located directly over the southern end of the waterfall and features an open patio where one can experience the sights and sounds of Fenelon Falls up close and personal.
Frankly, I think the food is quite nice. I’ve always said to take reviews on TripAdvisor with a grain of salt. Often, the only people that submit a review are the 1% that didn’t enjoy a destination – possibly for reasons that are impossible to control. I also thought the service was excellent and the price decent. Most important – this is a licensed establishment.
I recall from my college days at Sir Sanford Fleming College in Lindsay that there may or may not be a location just downstream from the restaurant where people may or may not jump from the cliff into the water below. However, the former CN Rail bridge above the waterfall, at the edge of Cameron Lake, seem to be the new adrenaline pumping spot to jump.
The CN tracks were abandoned in 1983 and the tracks were removed in 1984. The right of way now serves as a multi-use trail, year round recreation trail. The swing bridge in the middle of the water remains closed in the winter when the trail is primarily used by snowmobiles. In summer, the swing bridge is open and the steel and wood island it creates is an unofficial jumping off point.
Nicknamed the “Jewel of the Kawarthas”, Fenelon Falls was incorporated as a town in 1874 and was originally known as Cameron’s Falls. Currently, there are around 1,800 permanent residents but that number balloons significantly in the high tourist seasons.
The waterfall and the locks of the Trent Severn create a small island that has been converted to parkland above and below the waterfall. Certainly not in anywhere close to its natural state, water is also diverted just above the waterfall to power a hydro-electric dam. As you can see, the location is prime for long exposure loving photographers.
Lock 34 in the Trent Severn Waterway connects Cameron Lake in the west to Sturgeon Lake in the east. The lift is 7.2 metres or 24 feet. As you’ll see in the last image shown here, the road bridge located directly overtop the lower section of the lock provides an incredibly unique view and experience. From the walkway beneath the road bridge, it’s as if you’re in an enclosed vault as the torrent of water is released from the big blue steel doors. Check out the video at the bottom for a better look at this man made phenomenon.
So, what else is there to do in Fenelon Falls? For such a small town, there is a fairly extensive network of trails following the water. Traveling with children? There is a decent beach on the shore of Cameron Lake with full playground equipment close by. For food and drink, Fallsview isn’t the only restaurant – there are several others. In a rarity among tourist towns, there is no charge for parking anywhere in town.
Above is a view up the canal to the big blue doors. The land to the left is the island with the waterfall on the other side. The land to the right is the old business section of Fenelon Falls. On the right of the canal, the walkway can be seen going up stairs to street level before dropping back down again to go under the bridge.
Below is a view from under the car bridge that shows the torrent of water as the lock is lowered. See the video below for a lengthy view of the process with the doors opening.
As mentioned, the video below shows a little better the view of the locks just downstream. There are also several other views of Fenelon Falls, including the view from Fallsview Restaurant and the hydro-electric dam just above the waterfall. Take a look, switch to HD if your computer and connection can take it. Don’t forget to give it a thumbs up!
Video of Fenelon Falls, Ontario
