Facebook Group
Some of Ontario's prettiest waterfalls are located on a road trip to Owen Sound. While this is a longer drive, it avoids 400-series highway driving and is (usually) more relaxing.
This is a common first longer trip out of town for novice waterfallers. Each of the waterfalls has a proper parking lot and well-marked trails. While they can busier on warm weekends, they don't have the crowds that you find in Hamilton.
Owen Sound is the major town along this route, conveniently located at the end of the road trip. You can stop for dinner at the end of a busy day of waterfalling. Depending on when you travel, you may expect to arrive home after dark.
Explorers that are familiar with the waterfalls in Hamilton and Niagara will find similarities here. Even so, each waterfall is unique.
Two of the waterfalls require pay parking. While this can be a bummer, remember that it provides funds to keep these places looking great.
Finally, while most of the rivers and creeks on this road trip flow year-round, flows can be much lower in mid-summer. If you want photos of big, full waterfalls, try to visit in spring or during a wet period in fall. This advice applies to most waterfalls in Ontario, of course. Learn more...
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 DisclaimerIf you don't yet have a favourite waterfall yet, this might be a good candidate! A gorgeous falls, in easily accessible and all-natural spot. This waterfall has a reliable flow, all year long.
It's popularity has increased in recent years, and can get relatively busy on good hiking days. Learn more...
This jewel of a waterfall has been well-known for a long time. Expect to pay to park, but expect the view to be worth it.
This is one of the taller plunge waterfalls in Ontario. But it does dry up in summer, when water is diverted for hydroeletricity. Time your visit accordingly. Learn more...
Inglis Falls is probably one of the most well known waterfalls in southern Ontario. It's big, beautiful, unique, and easily found. It can dry down quite a bit during a dry summer.
You will need to pay a parking fee, so be sure to enjoy some of the interesting trails after seeing the falls. The only drawback is that access to the base of the river is now restricted. Learn more...
And now for something really small. This waterfall is no more than a metre or two tall. It's easily accessed at the end of a boardwalk in Harrison Park. The falls itself is on private property, but easily visible
A great place for little kids to see a person-sized watefall. Members of our Facebook group make great photos of this one. Learn more...
I think that this is the best waterfall experience in the Owen Sound area. Close to the city, but with a wooded trail just long enough to make you forget out your worries.
The falls can almost dry up during dry periods. Learn more...
An almost perfect curtain-shaped a waterfall! Indian Falls gets its own conservation area. The hike is a bit more demanding, but nothing that most of us can't handle.
The falls has two drawbacks... it dries up each year in summer, and the park is closed in winter. Yet, catching this at the right time is amazing. Learn more...
This road trip would probably fill most of a day. If you get an early start, you might be able to add a few extra stops along the way.
I include just one extra waterfall option for this trip, because it's a no-brainer. Originally part of this road trip, I left out Sauble Falls because it does make for a very long day.
Alternatively, there are a number of small waterfalls around the Beaver Valley that could be used to fill part of day trip back home. Hmmm... maybe that's another road trip for the list!
Sauble Falls looks completely different than all the others in this road trip. And that's OK! Waterfalls come in all different shapes and sizes.
The return trip to this waterfall an hour to the road trip, not including exploration time. The falls are conveniently located next to one of Ontario's best beach towns, Sauble Beach! Learn more...
Did you try this road trip? Was it way too long? Too short? Please let me know!
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)
