Combine a fabulous lookout and one of the most scenic waterfalls in Alberta with a hike from Bighorn River Lookout to Crescent Falls.
Sure, you can easily get to Crescent Falls by heading straight to the Provincial Day Use Area. But that parking lot can get full quite fast on a summer day and will usually remain full or busy until the evening.
If you’re up for a bit of a hike, there is a scenic route to Crescent Falls which takes you through heavily wooded areas, and along cliff faces which overlook the Bighorn River and large canyon.
The Crescent Falls and Bighorn Canyon Hike is a simple hike taking you about 2.6km each way. As it is out-and-back, you have two starting point options: the Crescent Falls Day Use Area which takes you east from the falls; or, the Bighorn River Lookout parking lot, which takes you west, and ends with Crescent Falls. I highly recommend the latter, where the parking lot is not as busy, and you go on an adventure before you arrive at the falls, a perfect way to rest halfway through the walking.
Planning Your Trip
What:
Crescent Falls is a large and beautiful waterfall on the Bighorn River. A few things help to make this waterfall so impressive, like the water’s blue-green colour, the massive canyon carved out by the river, and the sheer sound of the falling water.
The hike to the falls begins at the Bighorn River Lookout. From here, you’ll follow the river through the forest a bit, before you come back out to see over the canyon. Part of the trail follows this canyon closely, and you’ll come out of the massive trees a few times to see the falls in the distance.
Unlike many Rocky Mountain hikes, this one begins with a descent, as you are being led to the base of Crescent Falls. There will be a fork which you can take down to the base; this is where you can see the falls from below, and where they take another small drop. There are rocky areas and slippery areas, and it’s important to view the falls from the designated areas. This opening has space for laying out a picnic and getting photos of the two waterfalls from all sorts of angles; the area is easy to spot as there is a natural platform at the water level created by large slabs of rock.
The area directly under the falls is prohibited, as spring run-off can quickly fill the pool, and it is generally unknown how deep it gets at any point.
As beautiful and refreshing as the water looks, swimming here is also prohibited, and you are only allowed to view Crescent Falls from the rocky areas at the bottom of the trail.
After all the photos, you can head back to the fork, where the other way will lead you to the Crescent Falls Day Use Area. You can stop at the picnic areas, see the falls from above, and make use of the washrooms here. As this is an out-and-back trail, you have the option to park your cars at either end or hike back to the Bighorn River Lookout area.
With stops, sightseeing, picnics, kids, or pets, you’ll want to plan about half a day for the Crescent Falls – Bighorn Canyon Hike.
More to do Nearby:
- Siffleur Falls Hike: Cross a Suspension Bridge to Reach a Gorge and Stunning Falls
- Summer Adventures in David Thompson Country, Nordegg & Rocky Mountain House
Getting there:
Follow Highway AB-11 to Bighorn Gas Station. From here, there is a north turn to the Crescent Falls Day Use Area. Follow this until the Bighorn River Lookout where there is a small parking lot. Follow the road to the end to go directly to the waterfall.
Best time to go to Crescent Falls: hike is easiest in summer and early fall.
More information: