Waterfalls in Alberta- The Best Alberta Waterfalls to Visit

Alberta has abundant natural beauty, but some of the province’s most breathtaking attractions are its waterfalls. From roaring plunges to delicate cascades, the waterfalls of Alberta are a reminder of the power and tranquility of nature.

Waterfalls in Alberta

The best waterfalls in Alberta can be found in the Rocky Mountains and surrounding foothills. This list of Alberta waterfalls includes those that are generally easy to access either by driving right to them or by short walks and day hikes. 

Here are some of the most impressive and beautiful Alberta waterfalls to visit.

Athabasca Falls

One of the most popular waterfalls in Alberta is Athabasca Falls in Jasper National Park. This cascade waterfall is known for its powerful flow and large volume of water dropping 23 m into a limestone gorge. Even in winter, the waterfall is remarkably beautiful.

Athabasca Falls is easily accessible, which is part of the reason why it attracts so many visitors. From the parking lot, it’s a very short paved trail to the falls where there are several viewpoints, including a bridge above the canyon.

Read more: Athabasca Falls

Sunwapta Falls

Sunwapta Falls, also in Jasper National Park, is a must-see on the Icefields Parkway drive. This is a pair of waterfalls, but most people only visit Upper Sunwapta Falls because it’s quicker to access and the most photogenic, dropping about 18 m into a narrow limestone gorge after the river flows around an island. The lower falls are shorter but have three drops in the canyon.

Upper Sunwapta Falls is a few steps from the parking lot and there is a bridge over the gorge for viewing, plus some fenced areas beside the falls. To get to the lower falls it’s an easy 1.5 km hike.

Read more: Sunwapta Falls Hike

Crescent Falls

Crescent Falls in David Thompson Country is one of the most stunning waterfalls in Alberta. Located on the Bighorn River, the Upper and Lower Falls form a two-tiered, crescent-shaped waterfall that plunges into pools at the bottom of Bighorn Canyon. In the distance behind the falls are some rocky mountains. 

The falls are accessible via a short hike along the top of the Bighorn Canyon or by driving to the day-use area where there are viewing platforms at the top and bottom of the falls.

Read more: Crescent Falls Hike

Siffleur Falls

Siffleur Falls is another beautiful waterfall in David Thompson Country that should not be missed. These falls on the Siffleur River plunge into a canyon through a narrow opening between walls of rock, spraying up a delicate mist. The falls can be viewed from an observation deck in front of the waterfall and another at the brink of the falls.

It’s a gorgeous 3.5 km hike to Siffleur Falls that passes through a meadow, across a suspension bridge, and into a forest above a canyon.

Read more: Siffleur Falls Hike

Ram Falls

Ram Falls is an attractive waterfall in an equally gorgeous setting, making it one of the best waterfalls in Alberta. Located south of Nordegg, this 20 m tall waterfall plunges into the scenic Ram River Canyon. There’s a long staircase leading down to a viewing platform where you can admire the waterfall and its backdrop of forested foothills and rocky mountain peaks. 

Getting to Ram Falls involves a somewhat long journey on a gravel road without cell service, so be prepared before making the trip to visit the falls.

Tangle Falls

Tangle Falls can’t be missed when driving the Icefields Parkway through Jasper National Park because it’s right beside the highway. This 48 m tall cascading waterfall on Tangle Creek has 4 tiers flowing down a rocky, forested mountainside. 

Tangle Falls is one of the prettiest Alberta waterfalls and one of the easiest to see. You can view it from the road when driving by or stop at the parking lot across from the falls and walk over for a closer view.

Panther Falls 

Panther Falls is another one of the best waterfalls in Alberta that can be found along the Icefields Parkway. These falls on Nigel Creek forcefully push through a small opening in a rock wall, shooting mist onto the hiking trail beside the falls. The powerful 25 m plunge makes Panther Falls one of the most striking falls in Alberta.

To get to the waterfall it’s a half-kilometre walk through the forest. There isn’t a fenced viewing area beside the falls so take care on the slippery trail. 

Read more: Panther and Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls is a long, multi-tiered waterfall in Banff National Park. The full height of the falls can’t be seen because of the tree density on the mountainside, but the part that is visible is about 85 m tall. 

A distant view of Bridal Veil Falls can be seen from a roadside pullout on the Icefields Parkway (the same one to access Panther Falls). You can also get similar views from the hiking trail that goes to Panther Falls.

Johnston Canyon Waterfalls

One of the best places to see waterfalls in Alberta is Johnston Canyon because it’s home to two main waterfalls, plus several smaller ones, that are just as beautiful as the scenic canyon that surrounds them. 

The lower falls slightly zigzag through a narrow space between rock walls and then into plunge pools. The falls and pools can be viewed from a bridge on the trail or from inside a little “cave” directly in front of the falls. 

The upper falls are taller and plunge straight down between the canyon walls. This waterfall can be enjoyed from two fenced viewing areas- a lower one in front of the falls and another one hanging over the gorge near the top of the falls. 

The Johnston Canyon waterfalls are popular to visit year-round, with winter being especially stunning. The easy hiking trail to get to the falls features narrow catwalks that hug one side of the canyon.

Read more: Johnston Canyon Winter Hike

Lundbreck Falls

One of the most beautiful waterfalls in southern Alberta is Lundbreck Falls. Located on the Crowsnest River, Lundbreck Falls is a block waterfall that drops about 12 m over a sandstone ledge. The waterfall is interesting because its flow is divided by a small island near the crest of the falls.

There is a parking lot and viewpoints on both sides of the waterfall. You can also walk down some stairs to the river for a closer view at the base of the falls.

Read more: Lundbreck Falls Provincial Recreation Area

Blakiston Falls

Blakiston Falls is an impressive and scenically located waterfall in Waterton Lakes National Park. Backed by mountains and forest, the waterfall flows between jagged rock walls and then tumbles into a canyon. There are two viewing platforms- one offers a distant view of the front of the falls and the other is right beside the brink of the falls for a close-up experience.

Blakiston Falls can be reached on a short hike that travels along the top of the canyon.

Read more: Blakiston Falls Hike

Lower Bertha Falls

Another lovely waterfall in Waterton Lakes National Park is Lower Bertha Falls. This fan-shaped waterfall flows down tiers of rock and then turns to cascade further downstream. The main viewpoint for admiring the falls is a bridge over the creek, but you can also follow a short side trail uphill to get a better view of the front of the falls.

Cameron Falls

The most visited waterfall in Waterton Lakes National Park is Cameron Falls. Roughly 20 m tall, this cascading waterfall flows down steps of ancient rock. The waterfall can be enjoyed from a bridge and viewing area at the base of the falls or from a viewing platform at the top.

The waterfall is located on the edge of the Waterton townsite and can easily be walked to if you’re staying in town.

Crypt Falls

Yet another great Alberta waterfall you can see in Waterton Lakes National Park is Crypt Falls. This tall, horsetail waterfall is fed by Crypt Lake, dropping down a mountainside and into a smaller lake below.

The falls can be seen while hiking Crypt Lake Trail, which requires a ferry crossing Upper Waterton Lake to reach.

Read more: Crypt Lake Hike

Bow Glacier Falls

Bow Glacier Falls is formed by meltwater from the Bow Glacier, an outflow glacier from the Wapta Icefield. This tiered waterfall is about 120 m tall and 23 m wide.

The waterfall can be seen from a distance at the end of Bow Lake or while kayaking on Bow Lake, but the best and closest view requires hiking about 4.5 km on an easy trail.

Bow Falls

While not one of the most spectacular Alberta waterfalls, Bow Falls is still worth seeing, especially because it’s within walking distance from the town of Banff. This single-drop waterfall is only about 9.1 m tall but has a width of 30 m. Its water rages when the river is high and fast.

The front of Bow Falls can be seen from a viewpoint beside the parking lot. 

Stanley Falls

Beauty Creek, in Jasper National Park, has several small waterfalls on its path through a rocky gorge. The largest waterfall on the creek is Stanley Falls at the top of the canyon. The waterfall drops over a ledge and straight down into the canyon, splashing into a pool of turquoise water.

Stanley Falls can be reached by hiking about 1.5 km along Beauty Creek and its canyon. There are no safety railings along the canyon or at the falls, so keep away from the edge.

Read more: Beauty Creek Hike to Stanley Falls

More Waterfalls in Alberta

Here are a few more Alberta waterfalls you might be interested in checking out. Some are easily accessible, while others require long hikes or travel into remote regions.

• Maligne Canyon Falls- Jasper National Park
• Snake Indian Falls- Jasper National Park
• Punchbowl Falls- Jasper National Park
• Big Horn Falls- Ya Ha Tinda
• Thompson Creek Falls- David Thompson Country
• Whitegoat Falls- David Thompson Country
• Allstones Creek Falls- David Thompson Country
• Hummingbird Falls- David Thompson Country
• Elbow Falls- Kananaskis in the Bragg Creek area
• Troll Falls- Kananaskis
• Grassi Falls- Kananaskis near Canmore
• Sheep River Falls- Kananaskis
• Edworthy Falls- Kananaskis
• Kakwa Falls (Alberta’s tallest waterfall at 30 m high)- Kakwa Wildland Park
• Eaton Falls- Willmore Wilderness Park near Grande Cache
• Muskeg Falls- Grande Cache

More Activities and Places to Visit in Alberta

• Things to Do in Banff National Park in Summer- The Best Banff Summer Activities
• Day Hikes in Jasper National Park- The Best Jasper Trails for Day Hiking
• Kayaking in Jasper National Park- Best Lakes to Kayak in Jasper
• Goat Creek Trail- Bike Canmore to Banff
• Things to Do in Elk Island National Park- Visitor Guide