Do you enjoy hiking? Do you like waterfalls? We’ve compiled a list of 7 amazing waterfalls to see in Niagara for the adventurer and the outdoor lover.
At least once during the winter we experience a polar vortex here in Niagara Falls, Canada which generates some spectacular ice formations near our local waterfalls. The falling water can transform into massive pillars of ice and rock shelters develop stalagmites and stalactites. This is caused by water seeping slowly through cracks and builds through freezing, melting then freezing again.
A good time to view is when the weather warms up and the ice starts to melt. This process creates a beautiful scene of clean and clear ice formations along with a huge volumes of water flowing over the edge of each rock face. Always use caution when hiking in or around these areas during winter as moisture and ice can make for slippery conditions, large icicles can fall from above and the rivers are moving twice the volume during thaw periods.
1. Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls, Ontario
Description: See this wonder no matter where you are with the Niagara Falls Live Cam. You can view the falls year round from observation points on both the American and Canadian sides of the Niagara River. Be sure to visit to Niagara Falls on an illuminated night in order to reveal a dazzling display. The height of Falls is approximately 170 feet, with 150,000 gallons of water crashing down every second!
2. Beamer Falls, Grimsby, Ontario
Description: This an 8 meter-wide ribbon cascading falls, where Forty Mile Creek flows 12 meters down into the gorge below. A smaller lower falls is located downstream.
The waterfalls are located within the Beamer Memorial Conservation Area.
3. Ball’s Falls, Jordan, Ontario
Description: Water from the Twenty Mile Creek drops 27 meters from the crest of the main Lower Falls into the gorge below. The Upper Falls has a drop of 11 meters.
The area was once active due to the saw mills and wool mills, and it’s a beautiful area to check out and go hiking.
4. Rockway Falls, Rockway, Ontario (near St. Catharines)
Description: It is 18.3 meters high, with a plunge basin over 3 meters deep at the bottom of the falls. It is located just east of Ball’s Falls, and is very steep with a ramp formation.
The water flows over sloping rock into the basin. Park at the Rockway Community Centre and the falls are located beside there.
5. Swayze Falls, Pelham, Ontario
Description: At fifty feet high, the waterfall is dry for most of the year. However, in early spring or after heavy rains, visitors can witness the waterfall in all its glory.
This is the largest waterfall in the Shorthills Provincial Park. It has a drop of 14 meters, and its best to visit in Spring or after a rainfall.
6. Terrace Creek Falls, Pelham, Ontario
Description: Also found in the Shorthills Provincial Park, This is a wide plunge waterfall. It isn’t as tall or as easy to find as Swayze Falls on the west side of the park, but picturesque anyhow and worth viewing.
It is 6 meters in height and 17 meters in depth.
7. Decew Falls, St.Catharines, Ontario
Description: This is a 22 metre plunge waterfall surrounding the Morningstar Mill (a restored water-powered mill) and the Bruce Trail.
It’s gorgeous and well worth the visit!
