Facebook GroupEven though the falls at Pakenham only fall by a few metres, this is an attractive site. The falls are far from small, as they stretch more than 100 m wide across the Mississippi River. During low to medium flows, there is lots of exposed sedimentary bedrock along the shore, and in some cases, visitors have wandered around in places that are swamped when river levels are higher.
The sedimentary rock is what gives the falls a stepped appearance. In this case, the rock is likely sandstone belonging to the Nepean formation.
One of the stars of this site is the five-span masonary bridge, located just upstream of the falls. Built in 1903, this is the only such bridge in North America. Including this in any photo of the falls seems like a sure thing. I've found it difficult to fit the falls and the bridge in the same shot, although the last time I visited I was fighting against harsh sunlight.
VIsitors can now park in lots on either side of bridge, in both cases, just downstream of the falls. Built partly on an exposed surface of bedrock, the lot on the west side is larger and gives more space to move around. A small portion of the river falls over a mini-falls right beside the parking lot, in a small narrow channel orphaned from the main river.
The lot on the east side offers closer access to the falls and bridge, providing a more intimate but less panormamic view. I found that the east side allowed me to capture more power in the river. As this site is wide open with no shade, bright sun may prevent you from photographing properly from one side or the other, depending on the day.
| Region | Eastern |
|---|---|
| County | Renfrew |
| Near | Pakenham |
| Watercourse | Mississippi River |
| Watershed / % Lakes | 4 / 20% |
| Ownership | Town of Mississippi Mills |
| Landscape | Urban |
| Size | Small |
| Type | Wide Step under Bridge |
| Modification | Historic stone bridge |
| Access | Everyone |
| Top / Bottom | Easy / Easy to view |
| Trail conditions | Gravel, bare rock. |
| Hiking Time | 2 min |
| Coordinates | 45.3362,-76.2869 |
| Parking | 45.3359,-76.2879  |
| Site ID | WOO.REN.023 |
You could be injured, lost, or die visiting waterfalls. You are responsible for your safety. Learn your Risks and Responsibilities.
You don't have permission to use this website unless you click and agree with the Full Disclaimer
Join our Facebook community to share tips, photos and updates. Operating since 2011, this well-moderated, respectful, and informative group is the hub of Ontario's waterfalling community. (Photo by Martin Van Opstal)
Driving
Weather
Hiking
