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This is overnight waterfall road trip, leading to a few highlight waterfalls as well as some quiet gems.
The route focuses on the Hwy 11 corridor, between Bracebridge and North Bay. The intent is for the visitor to stay overnight in North Bay and head back south the next day. This city of about 50,000 is a major hub for the area and has everything that the traveller needs.
The highlight of this trip is Duchesnay Falls. It's the last waterfall listed for Day 1, and right at North Bay. If you arrive too late to do it properly on Day 1, it should be the first place you go on Day 2 after leaving your motel!
With one exception, all of the waterfalls are accesed by paved roads. A few require a short hike, but nothing more than about 10 minutes. Much of the route travels through the scenic Almaguin Highlands.
Most of the best falls are included for Day 1. But the "out-and-back" nature of this route offers an insurance policy: if you run out of time on Day 1, you can use Day 2 to pick up anything that you missed.
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 missed Duchesnay Falls on Day 1, go there first! Chippewa Falls is much smaller and less developed for tourism.
This waterfall is coded yellow because access to river level requires a short but steep scramble down the valley. You can see it through the trees from the road, but the view is marginal. Learn more...
To be clear, the waterfalls and cascades at this site are underwhelming. You may wish to skip this spot to save time.
But those that visit will find an interesting little park. Visitors walk out on the polished rock to see the little cascades, the nearby hydroelectric equipment and information panels about the site's history. Learn more...
This is a low trough waterfall that many people find to be boring. But when there is a good flow, it offers interesting exploring. Very easy to find.
NOTE: Visiting Stops 3 and 4 adds about an hour of driving. Keep this in mind if you are running short on time. Learn more...
Also known as Ahmic Falls, this is one of those 'hidden gems' that few know about. Parking is on the roadside, and there isn't room for more than a couple of cars.
A short hike through the woods leads to a nice bench the base of this surprisingly vertical waterfall. Learn more...
This well-known falls is a favourite of those that visit. It's a long, winding cascade covered by the woods, but easily accessible.
The only catch is that it is located in Arrowhead Provincial Park. You will need to pay park admission, and because of this, you may want to spend extra time in the park. On a warm weekend, there will be lots of visitors at the falls. Learn more...
I expect that most people will be running out of time by the time they reach Bracebridge. It's still 2 hours drive to Toronto. But if you still have energy and time, Stop 6 and 7 are worth it!
Wilsons Falls is smaller than High Falls (Stop 1 on Day 1). But it's longer, gentler, and with better exploring. Just beware of low flow in summer. Learn more...
This waterfall is just steps from downtown Bracebridge. You can explore the base of the falls, walk across the dam above the falls, and hike upstream just a bit to see the upper falls.
If you've made it this far and still have time, why not treat yourself to dinner at one of the restaurants on Manitoba Street, just a few hundred metres away. Learn more...
It would be possible to complete the Bracebridge Blast road trip first, and then continue on the rest of the North by North Bay trip. You'd have to alter the trip, and possibly add a third day... there are just too many waterfalls!
This road trip also overlaps with the first part of the Timiskaming Fling. Instead of turning around at North Bay, you could continue north on Day 2, and join the Fling. That would be a three day visit.
If you aren't afraid of long drives and don't mind arriving home after dark, Day 2 can incorporate a special side trip.
The longer Day 2 route focuses on adding a regional highlight waterfall at Eau Claire Gorge. This is about 40 minutes east from North Bay. With an hour at the falls, plus pit stops at Kaibuskong Falls and Pautois Falls, you would add about 1.5 hours of driving to Day 2.
You could make up for some of this extra time by skipping the original route to Old Mans River Falls and Knoefli Falls. If you are running out of daylight, you could also by-pass one or both falls in Bracebridge. A route map for this Longer Day 2 is included here.
Did you try this road trip? Was it way too long? Too short? Please let me know!
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