There are over hundreds of waterfalls within 2 hours of downtown Toronto ranging from small cascades to the world famous trio of falls – Niagara Falls.
This article lists 25 waterfalls near Toronto. Most waterfalls are located in Hamilton and along Bruce Trail on Niagara Escarpment. The steel city has over 100 waterfalls within its boundary.
The list is arranged in alphabetical order. Waterfalls are best viewed in the spring, fall and after rains for volume of flow and winter for seeing intricate natural ice formations.
Pack a picnic and go waterfall day tripping!
IMPORTANT
FYI: You are requested to be careful and obey all posted instructions. In 2016, Hamilton firefighters had 29 calls for rope rescues at local waterfalls, the highest number in five years. Six of those were at Albion Falls. Toronto Star Article
UPDATE PARKING & FEES: Due to huge influx of visitors, who are not being respectful of private property around the area and the posted rules/heavy car traffic, continuous changes are being made to parking and access at select Hamilton Waterfalls. The fees/parking listed in the following article may not be upto date (reflects 2018.)
1. Albion Falls
One of the largest waterfalls in Hamilton. Albion falls is a cascade waterfall with a height of 19 metres. Albion Falls waterfall is illuminated on select special days/events.
Mud St, Hamilton
Distance: ~75 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Albion Falls?
Parking: Free Parking lots and viewing platform. Accessible Waterfall viewing.
2. Ball’s Falls
Situated in Ball’s Falls Conservation Area. There two waterfalls here, ~1km apart. The conservation area makes for a great day tripping destination. Take in the incredibly breathtaking view of the majestic Twenty Mile Creek as it plummets over both the upper and lower falls.
Ball’s Falls Conservation Area, Jordan Station
Distance: ~105 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Ball’s Falls?
Parking: Paid Parking lot.
3. Beamer Falls
Situated in Beamer Falls Conservation Area. There two waterfalls here. To reach the lower falls, walk upstream. This is also a great bird-watching destination. Between March 1 and May 1 each year birds of prey such as hawks, eagles and falcons migrate to the area. The Lookout Trail provides three wheelchair accessible viewing platforms for visitors to take in the stunning views of the Forty Mile Creek Valley, the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario.
Beamer Memorial Conservation Area, Quarry Road, Grimsby
Distance: ~90 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Beamer Falls?
Parking: Parking lot, Lower falls are near the parking lot.
4. Belfountain Falls
Situated in Belfountain Conservation Area. Walk the suspension bridge across the river gorge to enjoy magnificent views of the falls (manmade). Closed in Winter (~ End of October to End of April).
10 Credit Street, Belfountain
Distance: ~70 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Belfountain Falls?
Parking: Accessible Parking lot.
(Adults: $5.31, Children (6-14): $2.65, Senior (60 and over): $4.20).
5. Billy Monkley Cascade
Situated in Billy Monkley Bird Sanctuary. A cascade waterfall measuring 3 metres high and 6.4 m wide. Open Year Round.
on Dartnall road beside the Hitch Factory which is between Rymal (Hwy 53) and Stonechurch Road East. Look for the gate, then park in the bird sanctuary parking lot, Hamilton
Distance: ~75 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Billy Monkley Cascade?
Parking: Parking lot.
6. Borer’s Falls
This pluge type waterfall is located on Borer’s Creek Tributary Creek on Rock Chapel Sanctuary. You need to walk ~ 10 minutes from the parking lot to reach the waterfall.
Borer’s Falls Conservation Area, York Road, Flamborough – Hamilton
Distance: ~70 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Borer’s Falls?
Parking: Free Parking
7. Buttermilk Falls/Oak Knoll Falls
23 metres tall waterfall located on a tributary of the Red Hill Creek. Visit Albion Falls as part of this trip.
Where: Bruce Trail – Oak Knoll Park, Hamilton
Distance: ~75 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Buttermilk Falls?
Parking:Free Parking at Oak Knoll Park.
8. Canterbury Falls
Two stage, 9-metre ribbon cascade waterfall located on Canterbury Creek. The amount of water flow varies drastically (can slow to a trickle) depending on the season.
Where: Follow Canterbury Falls Side Trail from the Bruce Trail, Ancaster
Distance: ~75 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Canterbury Falls?
Parking: No specific parking lot for this waterfall – park on the gravel shoulder on Lions Club Road.
9. Cataract Falls
Located in Forks of the Credit Provincial Park, located on the Bruce Trail. The falls are ~ 30 minutes hike on the Meadow Trail from the parking lot of the Provincial Park.
The fall colours of the Niagara Escarpment makes for great fall day trip/hike destination.
Forks of the Credit Provincial Park, 17760 McLaren Road, Caledon
Distance: ~60 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Cataract Falls?
Parking: Parking lot. Park Admission (Day use fees): $9.96
10. Chedoke Falls
Located on Chedoke Creek, this falls is accessible from Scenic Drive in Hamilton. Lower Chedoke Falls can be accessed from Chedoke Radial Trail.
Scenic Drive at Denlow Dr, Hamilton
Distance: ~70 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Chedoke Falls?
Parking: Side Street Parking
11. Darnley Cascade
Located on Spencer Creek in Crooks Hollow Conservation Area. The ruins of Darnley Grist Mill ruins adds another interesting dimension to this waterfall tripping. ~ 10 minutes walk from parking lot to reach the falls. You can also visit Christie Lake Conservation area (360-metre sandy beach at Christie Lake) and hike to the Falls.
Crooks Hollow Rd, Dundas
Distance: ~75 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Darnley Cascade?
Parking: Parking is $2 per hour at Crooks Hollow Conservation Area. If you are visiting Christie Lake Conservation area and taking Round the Lake Trail, there is an admission fee (Driver and vehicle entrance: $10, Each passenger: $5, Walk/bike in: $5)
12. DeCew Falls
A picturesque waterfall located on Twelve Mile Creek at the gorge behind Morningstar Mills, a fully restored nineteenth-century gristmill, and the only operating water-powered mill in the Niagara Peninsula. Visit Morningstar Mills, and the nearby DeCew House to which Laura Secord set out on her celebrated trek from Queenston over the rough terrain of the Niagara Escarpment. Hike the Bruce Trail to discover the lower DeCew Falls and other smaller falls in the area.
2714 Decew Road, St. Catharines
Distance: ~115 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to DeCew Falls?
Parking: Free Parking.
13. Devil’s Punchbowl
Located in Devil’s Punchbowl Conservation Area. Follow the trail to the waterfall lookout from the parking lot.
Devil’s Punchbowl Conservation Area, Stoney Creek – Hamilton
Distance: ~75 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Devils Punchbowl ?
Parking: Parking is $2 per hour at the Conservation area.
14. Elora Gorge Falls
Situated in the downtown Elora. In addition to viewing the Falls, there are plenty of fun things to do in Elora. Go tubing and ziplining at one of the most beautiful and spectacular natural area in the Grand River valley. Elora Gorge Conservation area also has campsites.
Downtown Elora – see from the end of Mill Street
Distance: ~115 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Elora Gorge Falls?
Parking: Parking at shopping centres, streets.
15. Felker’s Falls
Situated in Felker’s Falls Conservation Area. This plunge waterfall is another ideal candidate for waterfall tripping round the year.
Felker’s Falls Conservation Area, Ackland Street, Hamilton
Distance: ~75 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Felker’s Falls?
Parking: Parking lot accessible from Ackland Street. Wheelchair accessible waterfall – Peter Street Trail.
16. Great Falls
This is also called Waterdown Falls. The Falls are illuminated on select days, like New year’s Eve.
Smokey Hollow Park, 150 Mill St S, Hamilton
Distance: ~80 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Great Falls?
Parking: Parking lot with a viewing platform.
17. Hilton falls
Situated in Hilton Falls Conservation Area.
The frozen waterfall is a sight to behold in winter. ~ 20 minutes hike to the waterfall on Hilton Falls trail.
4985 Campbellville Road, Milton
Distance: ~65 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Hilton falls?
Parking: Free Parking.
Adult (15-64)$6.75; Senior (65 & over)$5.75
Child (5-14)$5.00; Child (4 & under): Free
18. Louth Falls
Situated in Louth Falls Conservation Area. From the parking lot, walk to reach the Bruce Trail, and then turn left reach Louth Falls. ~ 10 minutes hike from the parking lot.
Louth Falls Conservation Area, Jordan
Distance: ~110 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Louth Falls?
Parking: Free Parking.
19. Mill Falls
Need an idea for a special date and visit a waterfall, then book a table at Ancaster Mill. Have dinner enjoying the tumble of Mill Falls with your special someone. The Falls is located within the Ancaster Mill property.
548 Old Dundas Road, Ancaster – Hamilton.
Distance: ~75 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Mill Falls?
Parking: Parking lot of Ancaster Mill.
20. Rockway Falls
Located in Rockway Conservation Area on 15-mile creek, Rockway Falls has a height of 18.3 meters and there are smaller waterfalls downstream.
2021 Pelham Rd, Lincoln (Address of the Community Centre)
Distance: ~115 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Rockway Falls?
Parking: Park at the Rockway Community Centre. Follow the trail, left from the community centre to reach the Falls.
21. Sherman Falls
Located on Ancaster Creek Tributary Creek, Sherman Falls has a height of 17 metres and a width of 8 metres. The trip is best combined with a visit to Tiffany Falls. Park at Tiffany Falls Conservation area and follow the trail that combines both Tiffany Falls and Sherman Falls ~ 1.6 km.
Lions Club Road, Ancaster
Distance: ~75 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Sherman Falls?
Parking: Parking at 691-789 Artaban Rd, Dundas. Walk South along Artaban Rd to reach Lions Club Road. Cross the road and go left to reach Bruce Trailhead.
22. Tews Falls
Tews Falls is the tallest waterfall in Hamilton, is on Logie’s Creek on Spencer Gorge/Webster Falls Conservation Area. Ideally best visited with a visit to Webster Falls on Bruce Trail (this portion, connecting Bruce Trail is closed at the time of publishing this article). The famed Dundas Peak, that offers spectacular views Spencer Gorge is located here. This area is one of the most visited Fall destinations near GTA.
Spencer Gorge / Webster’s Falls Conservation Area, Greensville
Distance: ~70 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Tews Falls?
Parking: 577 Harvest Rd, Dundas – $10 Parking; Also see the update posted at the beginning of the article.
Per person fee (children 5 and under free): $5
Walk in: $5
23. Tiffany Falls
Go ice climbing during winter at this 21 metre tall, 6 metres wide falls on Tiffany Creek is located within Tiffany Falls Conservation Area. The falls can be viewed from an accessible viewing platform.
Tiffany Falls Conservation Area, Wilson Street East, Ancaster
Distance: ~75 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Tiffany Falls?
Parking: $2 per hour parking at the conservation area parking lot.
24. Websters Falls
Located in Webster Falls Conservation Area, Websters Falls has a height of 22 metres.
Webster Falls Conservation Area, Harvest Road, Dundas
Distance: ~75 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Websters Falls?
Parking: $10 Parking at Webster Falls Conservation Area parking lot.; Also see the update posted at the beginning of the article.
Per person fee (children 5 and under free): $5
Walk in: $5
25. Westcliffe Falls
Located on Chedoke tributary, there are two waterfalls on this trail that leads from Cliffview Park. You can climb down from steps that lead from Cliffview Park to reach the lower Cliffview Falls and Lower Westcliffe Falls. Go west on the trail (this path is not good for kids), to reach the gorge of Westcliffe Falls. The alternative is to go from Chedoke Golf Course parking lot.
Chedoke Stairs, Hamilton.
Distance: ~70 km from downtown Toronto. How to get to Westcliffe Falls?
Parking: Chedoke Golf Course parking lot.