Home to Kakabeka Falls, which is the second highest waterfall in Ontario, Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park has a lot to offer. In addition to the opportunity to take in gorgeous views of the falls and gorge year-round, the park has a myriad of opportunities for recreation, no matter the time of year.
The falls themselves are a breathtaking attraction. A boardwalk wraps around the top of the falls, from which you can take in their beauty. You can also view 1.6 million-year-old fossils located at the bottom of the falls, revealed as a result of the Kaministiquia River cutting deep into the rocks. Also at the base of the falls are endangered Lake Sturgeon spawn.
Regardless of the season, you will find plenty to do while in the park. Hiking is popular in warmer weather, with numerous trails available for different ability levels. Swimming is also popular and a great way to cool off after some time on the trails. When the weather is cooler, enjoy cross-country skiing among other activities.
Regardless of the time of year, Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park is an ideal place to travel to for your next RV vacation!
To get to Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park from Thunder Bay, head west on Arthur Street E toward Syndicate Ave S for 12.5 km (7.76 miles). Continue onto ON-130 N and proceed for 2 km (1.24 miles). Turn left onto Trans-Canada Hwy/ON-11 W/ON-17 W, traveling for 14.8 km (9.19 miles). You will then turn left into the park.
From Mokomon, head south for 1.1 km (.68 miles) on Ilkka Dr. Then, turn left onto Trans-Canada Hwy/ON-11 E/ON-17 E, proceeding for 8.4 km (5.21 miles). You will then turn right to enter the park.
Parking is available throughout the park.
Public transportation is not available to Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park
Looking to bring more than a few people on your overnight visit to Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park? Group campsites are available and make a great place for visitors to spend time enjoying the beauty of the park. One of the group sites, the Mountain Portage Site, can be found near the park’s Visitor Center and is near a comfort station. There are three other group sites, all of which are away from the other three campgrounds. These sites offer vault toilets and water taps and all four group sites can accommodate up to 50 people, with space for tents and some trailers.
With 43 sites, Fern’s Edge campground is located close to the Kaministiquia River and the falls, with some sites on the riverfront. Campsites are non-electric and some sites are pull through, making it easy to park your RV or trailer; RV’s and trailers up to 25 feet can be accommodated, depending on the site. The campground offers a comfort station along with vault toilets. Sit back and relax after a fun-filled day of adventure while listening to the sound of the river when camping at the Fern’s Edge Campground.
Located to the east of the Kaministquia River, the Riverside Campground offers 30 campsites. The campground is non-electric and is able to accommodate tents along with RV’s and trailers that are up to 25 feet in length. While a few of the campsites are located right along the river, all of the sites are close by. A comfort station and vault toilets are available within the campground and choosing to camp there offers an ideal opportunity to relax among nature after a full day of play!
Whispering Hills Campground in Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park offers 94 sites. RV’s and trailers over 32 feet can be accommodated in the campground; when making a reservation, be sure to look closely at the site that you are choosing to be sure it has the space that you need. Electrical hook-ups are available and there are some pull-through sites. The campground is located west of the Kaministiquia River as well as the park’s other campgrounds and offers comfort stations, laundry facilities and showers. There is also a sanitary station near the campground’s entrance. Enjoy easy access to the recreation available in the park when you make this campground your home base.
When visiting Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park during the winter, you might enjoy the chance to view the park from a snowmobile. Nearby Thunder Bay and Northwest Ontario have been called a “snowmobiler’s dream come true”. Trails in and near Thunder Bay are maintained by the Thunder Bay Adventure Trails snowmobile club and include 300 km (186.4 miles) of groomed trails that run from Kakabeka Falls to the Manitoba border, even connecting to 1000 km (621.37) of regional trails. Exploring the park and its surrounding areas will provide plenty of opportunity for adventure and you will be treated to views of extensive forests and rugged landscapes. Make sure to obtain a permit for snowmobiling, which can be bought online.
Taking a look at the Kakabeka Falls is as incredible in the winter as it is during the warmer months. Also known as Niagara of the North, in the winter the falls become an icy and snowy sight that is sure to impress. View trees and plants that are frozen and icicles that drip from cliffs that are covered in snow. Boardwalks and viewing platforms in the park make it easy to see the falls and their gorgeous surroundings, making the Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park an excellent destination no matter the time of year.
Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park is an excellent place for cross country skiing. With more than 10 km of groomed trails, beginning and intermediate skiers will be able to enjoy gliding along the trails during the winter. Poplar Point Trail, for example, is a 3.8 km (2.36 miles) loop that will allow you to explore the winter beauty and solitude of the park. You can also choose to embark upon River Terrace Trail, for 3.5 km (2.17 miles), and connect to a portion of Beaver Meadows Trail that is about 1.1 km (.68 miles) in order to complete a loop. Whichever trail you choose, you will be treated to spectacular views and a great workout!
A relaxing activity for your visit to Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park is birdwatching. Sit back and relax or take a walk, keeping your eyes open for the many birds that reside in the park. Take in each bird’s unique song, even when you are unable to catch a glimpse of them. The park is a great place to sight Bald Eagles, as they visit the gorge below the falls, especially in the fall as the salmon are making their run up the river to spawn.
Upriver of the Kakabeka Falls, there is a small beach in a sheltered area of the Kaministiquia River. There is an area for swimming that is marked by buoys. The drop-off into the river is gradual and it is important to keep in mind that the river’s currents can be fast; in fact, when the river volume is greater than 50 cubic meters/second, getting into the river is not allowed. When conditions are good, a swim in the river is a great way to cool off and experience the beauty and wonder of the park. Swimming is at your own risk as there are no lifeguards at the beach. Pets can spend time in the grassy areas near the river but are not allowed on the sand or in the water.
Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park offers hiking trails of various lengths and difficulty levels. Enjoy a hike on one of these trails, taking in the park’s beauty and solitude. If you are looking for a pleasant stroll where you can take in the scenery, you can choose Mountain Portage Trail. A 1.5 km (.92 miles) loop, the trail is wheelchair accessible and is part of the historic portage that early travelers utilized when making their way around the falls. You will be treated to views of the falls, gorge and river. The Little Falls Trail is a great choice for something more difficult. A 2.5 km (1.55 miles) loop, the trail first descends into the river valley, where you will have the opportunity to see Little Falls. You will then ascend following the historic passage.
