Teresa the Traveler's Top Ten Accessible Alberta Waterfalls
If you are looking to get a little waterfall therapy all on a daytrip from Calgary, check out my list of ten easily accessible Alberta waterfalls. These are the best waterfalls that you can visit with little to no hiking involved.
If you want to know continue your quest for waterfalls and discover the directions to the best waterfalls and waterfall hikes in Alberta (and there are many) pick up a copy of my book Waterfalling in Love with Alberta available in print copy on Esty and eBook on Kindle.
If you want to know continue your quest for waterfalls and discover the directions to the best waterfalls and waterfall hikes in Alberta (and there are many) pick up a copy of my book Waterfalling in Love with Alberta available in print copy on Esty and eBook on Kindle.
1. Elbow Falls
Elbow Falls is a small set of waterfalls along the Elbow River. Their close proximity to Calgary and easy access makes them very popular. The falls can reach a height of 6m in the dry season. In June, during the spring melt, the river fills up and the waterfall is only 3m high. The Elbow River flows from the Canadian Rockies to Calgary, and merges into the Bow River. |
2. Sheep River Falls
Sheep River Falls is the sister to Elbow Falls. It is less developed, less crowded and more beautiful. The falls are located in Sheep River Provincial Park. The falls are a short distance from the parking lot and day use area that is equipped with pit toilets, picnic tables and firepits. Visitors can climb right down to the first falls and stand beneath the overhanging rock. You can also follow the trail to the base of the second falls and, during low water, cross the river to the other side. |
3. Lundbreck Falls
If you ever travel through the Crowsnest Pass you will undoubtedly drive by Lundbreck Falls. It’s definitely worth a pit stop. While you are there be sure to say hi to the resident goose and her family. Lundbreck Falls is on the Crowsnest River. The water is divided by a small island before going over an impressive 12-metre curved drop in to a horseshoe-shaped canyon. It is part of the Lundbreck Falls Recreation area which has a day use area and camping spots beside the river. The day use area includes a network of walkways, steps and platforms that allow visitors to view the falls from both sides as well as from below. |
4. Bow Falls
Banff boasts some of the best bike trails in Alberta with many of the trails running right through town. When biking in Banff this summer, be sure to make your way to the Banff Springs Hotel, which as a history of famous visitors. Bow Falls are located beside the hotel, these iconic falls were featured in the 1954 Marilyn Monroe film River of No Return. |
5. Tangle Creek Falls
My favorite waterfall in Jasper National Park is Tangle Creek Falls. Four individual waterfalls at the top combine into a single stream that cascades down the mountain. Along the way it creates a number of smaller waterfalls that you can get close to. The hill beside the falls is an easy climb prompting many visitors to scramble to the upper falls. |
6. Sunwapta Falls
Sunwapta Falls is located along the gorgeous Icefields Parkway that connects Jasper and Banff National Parks. Sunwapta is an indigenous Stoney word that means turbulent waters. The water originates from the Athabasca Glacier making the volume of water higher in the early summer because of glacial meltdown. While it is the most spectacular in the late spring when the spring melt is at its peak, this beautiful set of waterfalls, that drops 18.5 metres, is amazing to visit any time of the year. |
7. Athabasca Falls
The Athabasca falls were created after the Athabasca glacier receded leaving a narrow gorge and a 23-metre cliff over which the Athabasca River now flows. The water also carved other canyons into the bedrock around the falls. The paved trail from the parking area brings you to a viewing platform where you can experience the falls close up. The platform is small and usually full of people so you may have to wait in line. |
8. Cameron Falls
When you google Cameron Falls stunning images of a pink waterfall will fill your screen. But don’t expect them to be pink when you visit. The water is usually clear. In order to see this phenomenon, you have to show up at the right time. After a heavy rainfall the water upriver mixes with a red mudstone called argillite. As the water flows towards the falls, it turns to a pink hue when the light reflects on the mineral water. |
9. Ram Falls
After you pull into the parking lot at Ram Falls Provincial Park and walk down the large wooden staircase to a viewing platform, prepare to be wowed. The majesty and sheer beauty of water falling 20 metres down the side of a cliff to a pool below is beyond words. It is a marvel that is best enjoyed in person and that means a long drive down a dusty gravel road. If you are a hard-core waterfall lover like me and the members of the hiking posse, this is a small price to pay for a pilgrimage to one of Alberta’s most magnificent waterfalls. The platform can get busy so if you want it to yourself it’s best to go in the off-season. |
10. Crescent Falls
Crescent Falls is one of my favorite Alberta waterfalls, but it is not for the faint of heart. When you arrive at the parking lot you will see a viewing platform at the top of the falls which is a fantastic place to view the falls and I would recommend you stop there. There is a steep trail that leads to the base of the falls; however, signs warn people to stay back and for a good reason. Beneath the serene beauty of the falls lurks deadly dangers. In the summer of 2020, three adults died while swimming at the base of the falls. In 2015, two men plunged to their death from the top. |
If you are interested in learning more about these and other Alberta waterfalls, check out my book Waterfalling in Love with Alberta available in print on Esty and eBook on Kindle.
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WHY DO I LOVE CHASING WATERFALLS? (excerpt from Waterfalling in Love with Alberta)
Did you know that standing near a waterfall can improve our mood, reduce stress and improve our health? It’s because waterfalls are one of the greatest producers of negative ions, thanks to the force with which falling water breaks apart on both hard and aqueous surfaces. Negative ions are odorless, tasteless, and invisible molecules that we inhale in abundance in certain environments such as mountains, waterfalls, and beaches. Once they reach our bloodstream, negative ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy. I am someone who struggles with depression. For me, chasing waterfalls is therapy. As a result of writing this book I have visited some of the most beautiful locations in Alberta, lost 20 pounds and created an amazing group of hiking enthusiasts I call the “Hiking Posse”. Despite the fact that the year 2020 was faced with Covid-19, a recession and political unrest, I had the best year ever. My days were filled with adventure, connection and peace. To me this is more than a book, it is my own personal waterfall, wellness and weight loss program! |