The thing is, if you do a little research and keep your eyes open, there are some incredible natural places in Canada to visit that are not on the grounds of a National Park. Even better, they’re always free to visit, not just every 150 years. In this article, we’re going to narrow it down to waterfalls in Ontario. Even then, there are many more than just twelve that can be visited in the province with no entry fees.
What’s so great about a waterfall that you don’t have to pay to see? Is it less spectacular than one with a parking lot, gift shop, safe and secure viewing platform and a fee that increases on a yearly basis? No. In fact, they’re often much more spectacular because there is a raw, undisturbed beauty that you may even have to exert a bit of effort to see. Paved parking lots bring people. People necessitate over-the-top safety precautions. People demand food, drink, washrooms and shelter. Parking lots, people, safety precautions, food, drink, washrooms and shelter come at a cost. The cost is loss of that raw connection with nature and some money from your wallet.
12 Ontario Waterfalls Without User Fees
Indian Falls
Egan Chutes
Recollet Falls
Duchesnay Falls
Rockway Falls
Scenic High Falls on Magpie River
Fenelon Falls
Eugenia Falls
Eau Claire Gorge Falls
Muskoka High Falls
Onaping Falls
Elora Tooth of Time
Video Collection
Indian Falls
Indian Falls is about 45 feet high with a 25 foot crest. This is a curtain waterfall, meaning the water drops off a sharp ledge and is uninterrupted until it splashes into the pool at the base. The official trail takes you to the edge of the crest where the waters of Indian Creek are deceptively calm until the very edge. Unofficially, you can scramble up the creek bed to the base of the waterfall. And, really unofficially, you can walk behind the curtain.
This can be a seasonal waterfall with flow drastically reduced when there hasn’t been much rain. Indian Falls is also closed during the winter months.
There are many other waterfalls in this area that are no less magnificent and no more expensive. I believe the only one that that will cost is Inglis Falls. If you have the time, continue on County Road 1 along the shores of Georgian Bay to Wiarton. Along the way, Bruce’s Caves is a hidden gem that also is free to visit.
Egan Chutes
A non-operating provincial park in Ontario means the government owns the land for preservation purposes but there are no facilities and probably no plans for facilities. These outnumber operating parks and are actually some of the provinces best hidden secrets for truly finding nature.
There is a rough roadway off the highway to a clearing where you can park next to the river. A trail runs along the York River to Egan Chutes. This is a long, rugged waterfall that drops in stages of varying height. The waterfall is without barriers and can be explored extensively.
Recollet Falls
Few venture down the two kilometre trail that scrambles downstream before ending at Recollet Falls. This is not a high waterfall, probably in the ten foot range. However, the power and water volume can be pretty impressive.
Much of the French River Provincial Park lies beyond the end of the trail. Much of the provincial park can be accessed by water only. The visitor centre has a spacious paved parking lot with pit toilets outside and comfy flush toilets inside. I believe they might ask for donations inside the building but there is no fee to visit. The visitor centre is closed during the winter months but the parking lot remains open (yet, not incredible well maintained).
Duchesnay Falls
Duchesnay Creek makes several drops over a fair distance with the two largest drops at about 15 feet high, each. The creek twists and turns in a complicated journey through the solid rock of the Canadian Shield. Not far after passing underneath the highway, the water empties into Lake Nipissing.
The trails run on both sides of the waterfall and continue upstream onto the grounds of Canadore College / Nipissing University. An excellent time to visit is when the leaves turn colours in the fall. I’ve passed by in the winter but the waterfall was just a frozen mass, buried under feet of snow.
Rockway Falls
A trail leads you downstream, atop the cliff created by the Niagara Escarpment. Not far downstream, the cliff subsides enough for a trail to reach the bed of 15 Mile Creek. From that point, simply scramble back upstream to the base of the waterfall. The many smaller drops along the creek, heading to the main waterfall, are a treat that should not be overlooked.
Rockway Falls is not Niagara Falls but still pretty impressive. This is a cascade style, or maybe even closer to a fan style waterfall, ending in a pool at the base. You can walk right to the base. The height of the waterfall is around 45 feet and the crest is 15 feet.
Scenic High Falls On Magpie River
There is a sign on the highway, but not a big one. Just south of Wawa, a gravel road leads away from the main highway, traveling 1.5 KM to Scenic High Falls. The road ends at a well-maintained parking lot with a covered shelter.
From the parking lot, you don’t necessarily even have to get out of your vehicle to check out the waterfall. There are walking trails going both upstream and downstream. You can walk to the crest of Magpie Falls, although a chain-link fence comes between you and the water.
Fenelon Falls
This is the location of Lock 34 in the Trent Severn Waterway, connecting Sturgeon Lake to the east with Cameron Lake to the west. The waterfall runs parallel to the locks and it’s the power of the water being released from the locks, enhanced by being covered by the car bridge above, that may be the more impressive feature.
Eugenia Falls
Located in Eugenia, just northeast of Flesherton, the waterfall is part of a conservation area that comes with a parking lot, shelters, pit toilets and no fees. The base can unofficially be reached by taking the trail downstream from the waterfall until the cliff subsides enough to get down to the bed of the Beaver River. It is then a fairly strenuous rock scramble back up the river bed. When wet or in when the water is high, this may not be an option.
Eugenia is about 50 kilometres southeast of Owen Sound. Nearby Hoggs Falls should also be visited when exploring Eugenia Falls. Both are along the Bruce Trail system.
Eau Claire Gorge Falls
Eau Claire Gorge Conservation Area is located on Peddler’s drive after going south on Highway 630 from the main Highway 17. This park has a parking lot, picnic tables and pit toilets. Trails lead to the gorge and waterfall.
The waterfall is around 35 feet high with a crest around 50 feet. Located on the Amable du Fond River, this a long, rugged waterfall that curves around a cliff. You can put your toes in the rushing water at several points but you do not want to be swept away by this torrent.
Muskoka High Falls
This is a powerful waterfall but can be easily and closely approached. Beware, it is definitely dangerous. In August, 2015, a swimmer was swept downstream on the North Branch of the Muskoka River and over the waterfall. His body was later found below the falls.
Be sure to take in adjacent Potts Falls, a gentle cascade located in a fairy tail setting amongst the pines nearby.
Onaping High Falls
Located on Highway 144, about 35 kilometres northwest of the centre of Sudbury, on the long road that will take you to Timmins. The parking lot is right off the highway with modern washrooms and picnic areas close by.
A bridge crossed the river at the top of the waterfall and trails take you into the forest on the lesser visited side of the Onaping River.
Elora Tooth of Time
There are trails on both sides of the river that take you near the waterfall and further down the Elora Gorge. In fact, you can walk into the Elora Gorge Conservation Area from here, a park locally famous for its river tubing.
From the north side, you can walk in via Irvine Creek. If you don’t mind getting a little wet, you can get close to the base. The site is popular with Kayak enthusiasts.
Last I visited, you could park on the south side of the river and walk in through the old factory ruins. However, I believe there were plans to redevelop this land as residential so I’m not sure if the trail is still as easily accessible.
Waterfall Video Playlist
For the above 12 Ontario waterfalls and many more, take a look at the Waterfall Video Playlist from our YouTube channel.
