Aguasabon Falls

On our second road trip in Northern Ontario, we were able to give a “second chance” to some areas that we’d either had to skip the first time, encountered less-than-ideal conditions with, etc.

For example, the first time around, we went to Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park on a foggy day, and were underwhelmed. We knew that sunny weather would probably make a difference, so we went back this year - MUCH better!

Last time, we were similarly underwhelmed by our visit to Aguasabon Falls & Gorge - during our stay at Neys Provincial Park.

It was on one of those days that wasn’t quite *rainy*, but was misty and almost drizzly, cold, and generally miserable.

We didn’t stay very long, and didn’t even take the photos we’d need to write it up!

This year, we gave it another go - while staying at Rainbow Falls Provincial Park.

Located between Rainbow Falls and Pukaskwa National Park, this is a popular stopping point for those driving along the northern coast of Lake Superior.

We returned on a sunny day, to give it more of a chance.

Spoilers: Still underwhelmed, but not completely writing it off.

Also, a first time visit to nearby Terrace Bay Beach DEFINITELY made the trip more worthwhile!

Anyway, let us tell you all about Aguasabon Falls.

The Basics:

Location Name: Aguasabon Falls & Gorge
Address: 2 Aguasabon Gorge Rd Terrace Bay, ON P0T 2W0
Website: Terrace Bay Website - Aguasabon Falls
Price: Free!
Reservations: Not Applicable
Season: Year-Round

Logistics

Some information to help you plan your visit to Aguasabon Falls & Gorge:

Maps and Signage

There were two big sign maps, but neither were of the immediate area (ie: Aguasabon Falls, specifically). One was for the entire Casque Isles Voyageur Trail route - at the entrance to that trail access point.

The other was a map of the larger surrounding area, specifically with regards to the water flow/sources and the hydro generating station.

There weren’t a ton of signs in general - mostly just informational / educational signage, rather than directional.

That said - you don’t really need maps or directional signage. It’s a straight shot to the parking lot from the entrance, and the entrance to the boardwalk trail is pretty easy to see from the parking lot.

Once you’re on that trail, it takes you directly to the observation platform beside the falls. You’d have to go out of your way - and climb a barrier in the process - to get lost.

Connectivity

We had enough cell phone connection to map to our next location, but we really didn’t check our phones while at Aguasabon Falls. It’s a really short stopover, for the most part.

Accessibility

The trail to Aguasabon falls is a wheelchair accessible boardwalk ALMOST the entire way. It IS a slope down (and around a few turns) to get to the platform, so you’ll be going uphill on the way back.

The thing is, you can get *to* the platform, and that’s it. The platform requires going down a set of steps - and there’s no view of the falls from anywhere other than the very end of that platform.

So, I’m not sure why they tout the trail as being wheelchair accessible, when the whole point of doing that trail is NOT.

Anyway, also of note: there were no grips on the wooden boardwalk, and we vaguely recall it being a bit slippery on our first visit (it was drizzling.)

Other than that, the outhouse isn’t labeled as being accessible - and I couldn’t tell by looking in - but you can get TO the washroom stalls in a wheelchair.

Pets

We didn’t see any signage for or against dogs, but we saw a few being walked down the trail.

Parking

There’s a HUGE parking lot, with plenty of space for RVs to park - and there’s also a loop at one hand for turning your rig around.

The parking lot was in really good condition, though spaces weren’t actually marked.

Washrooms

There is a small, unlabeled building in parking lot with two washroom stalls. It seemed to be decently well maintained at the time of our visit.

Day Use Area

There’s a small lawn in the middle of the turnaround loop with some picnic tables.

The Waterfall

Aguasabon Falls is a plunge waterfall that’s about 100 ft tall, and 10-30 ft across.

The water source is the Agusabon River, which flows from Chorus Lake - for 70 km - before emptying into Lake Superior.

The location of the waterfall doesn’t make for a great view from the provided observation platform, which is almost directly to the side of it.

At the time of both of our visits, there was basically one spot on the platform - front right - that would give you an OK view - especially if you held your camera out over the gorge. That’s about it.

That said - as with most waterfalls - your view of Aguasabon Falls will vary wildly based on the time of year.

The water levels are at the highest from late spring to early summer, so expect a more impressive sight then.

We’ve seen photos of the waterfall in the winter months, when it - and the exposed rock in the large gorge below - freezes over.

An interesting thing about the falls is that you can get the falls and down the length of the bottom of the gorge all in the same photo, as the falls are basically on the side of the gorge.

Anyway, if you’re up for a short drive, you can see Lower Agusabon Falls from Terrace Bay Beach.

You can see them face-on from the parking lot, or take a short trail from the parking lot to view them from a bridge above.

History of Aguasabon Falls

Plenty of signage at the falls tells you all about the history of Aguasabon falls.

Not exactly a natural wonder, the falls came to be when the Aguasabon Hydro Development project built a dam at the north end of Long Lake.

Originally, water flowed from Long Lake to the Hudson Bay, and this dam redirected it southward, towards the pulp mill in Terrace Bay.

This enlarged nearby Hays Lake, which spilled over to create the falls - this all went down in the late 1940s.

Apparently the water diversion was SO great, that it raised the water level in Lake Superior - as well as the rest of the Great Lakes.

Yes, it was a bit eyebrow raising to read that, given the “meh” waterflow on both of our visits!

Anyway.

These days, the Ontario Power Generation Company manages the flow of the water at Aguasabon Falls, which still produces power for Terrace Bay. (And - until recently - the pulp and paper mill that still exists there.)

Entertainment and Activity

Some information about the activities available at Aguasabon Falls - and in the surrounding area.

Hiking

Not so much a hike as it is a short walk, but the trail to the viewing platform is a boardwalk the entire way. It’s only about 100 metres, maybe 150 metres from the parking lot to the viewing platform.

There is a spot along the trail - near the platform - where there’s a gated set of stairs down to a more rustic trail.

We’re guessing this was how people got a different view of the falls - we saw some photos online that you absolutely cannot get via the current platforms - but got closed down for some reason.

This is probably why some older reviews mention being able to get to the bottom of the gorge - there’s no (legal, safe) way to do that, as things are now.

Beyond the actual boardwalk to the falls, there’s an access point to the Casque Isles Trail, from the parking lot.

This point is km 53 of the long nature trail, one end of it.

You can hike 2km down to Terrace Bay Beach - with some GORGEOUS views of the Lake Superior Shoreline! - or continue up along the 53 km trail all the way to the town of Rossport.

Biking

This is not really a biking place.

Swimming

Aguasabon Falls is definitely not a swimming place itself, but nearby Go to Terrace Bay Beach is GORGEOUS.

It’s a rocky beach, but huge, with beautiful views, and the water is crystal clear.

Boating / Fishing

Again... Go to Terrace Bay Beach!

Birding, Wildlife, and Nature

We saw a bunch of cool mushrooms the first time, but the rain shortened our stay and we didn’t see or hear any birds.

On our second trip, the mushrooms weren’t as stunning, it was sunny out... and still no birds.

We did see a squirrel, though.

Niantic Games

We didn’t actually open Pokemon Go on either of our trips to Aguasabon Falls - whoops!

That said, there are 3 Portals / Pokestops / etc in the falls. 2 are signs in the parking lot area, and one is down by the viewing platform.

Final Thoughts

As you may have guessed by now, we’re pretty solidly a “meh” on this one, especially in the fall.

It’s a nice enough stopover on a road trip, but not really what we’d consider a destination.

It’s a quick and easy walk, so a nice way to stretch your legs during a long drive. It’s also generally a good place if you need to get off the highway for a bit - picnic tables, toilets, good RV / trailer parking, etc.

The view of the falls was definitely underwhelming, but then again... we’re pretty spoiled when it comes to waterfalls.

Aside from living in “The City of Waterfalls”, we saw SO many amazing waterfalls on those trips north - Kakabeka Falls, Chippewa Falls, Mink Creek Falls, Onaping Falls, Sand River Falls, Scenic High Falls ... We might be turning into waterfall snobs.

Sorry!

Anyway, yeah - To us, Aguasabon Falls is basically a nice rest stop, but we wouldn’t go too far out of our way to see it.

More Places to See

Looking for some nice sights to see and great places to visit while you're out on your camping adventures? Here are a few of our favourite day use parks, attractions, etc.

Amethyst Mine Panorama
Batchawana Bay
Big Bay, Ontario
Bruce Peninsula National Park
Canada's Dinosaur Park
Chippewa Falls
Falls Reserve Conservation Area
Flowerpot Island
French River Provincial Park
Gariepy Creek Falls
Healey Falls
Inglis Falls Conservation Area
Menesetung Bridge
Mink Creek Falls
Old Woman Bay
Onaping Falls
Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park
Petroglyphs Provincial Park
Point Pelee National Park
Provoking Falls
Sand River Falls
Scenic Caves Nature Adventures
Scenic High Falls
Screaming Heads
Spirit Rock Conservation Area
Temagami Fire Tower
Terrace Bay Beach