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River

Muskoka River (North Branch)

Class

Cascade (Steep)

Size

Large

Visitability

Average

Accessibility

Free

Activity

Very Busy

Walk Time

5min

Trail

Easy

Gorge Access

Easy

Other Trails

County

Muskoka

Take Hwy 11 to Taylor Road (Muskoka Rd 42), and go west (left). Follow Muskoka Rd 42 into Bracebridge and turn left on to Cedar lane, and then turn right on Entrance Drive. Follow Entrance drive for just over 0.5 km and watch for the municipal parking lot on the left side of the road, just before the road turns sharply to the left at the bottom of the hill. Park in the lot and follow the walking trail into the forest.

Stay to the left to reach Bracebridge Falls, or go right to reach Upper Bracebridge Falls.

You could also drive across the bridge into town, and view the falls from the right bank (looking downstream) of the waterfall, or from the bridge that goes directly overtop.

Settlement

Bracebridge

NTS Map

31 E/3

Easting

633259

Northing

4988662

UTM Zone

Unfortunately, a dam, bridge and urban development have somewhat spoiled what must have once surely been a fantastic falls! Still, this waterfall is well worth visiting, and is a strong reminder of the importance of waterfalls to society. The town doesn't let you forget this, as the falls is no doubt the focal point of civic pride. Parkland surrounds the waterfall on both sides of the river, and the view from the bridge is impressive. A sturdy viewing platform on the left bank affords good views, although during higher flows, you may expect to get mist on your camera lense.

Probably 6 to 8 meters high, and about 30 m wide, the flow is variable but usually maintained through summer. The Gneiss bedrock has been smoothed by centuries of wear by the river. Geomorphologists believe that the erosive power of a river is based primarily on its sediment load, that is, the sand, silt, gravel carried along by the river.

This waterfall is reviewed in more detail by the print version of Waterfalls of Ontario.