Chippewa Falls

Chippewa Falls is a beautiful waterfall and rest stop on the Trans Canada Highway in Northern Ontario. Here's what you need to know!

As we were making our way from Chutes Provincial Park to Pancake Bay Provincial Park - not long before we came to Batchawana Bay Provincial Park - we happened across a large roadside waterfall.

We didn’t want to turn the RV and towed car around to check it out, so we made a note of where it was, and decided to drive back in the car, once we got out site set up.

Given the number of Ontario’s waterfalls we’ve already explored, it seemed like we probably shouldn’t pass up a chance to see this one!

Located just over half an hour from Sault Ste Marie, Chippewa Falls is not only a popular stop for those traveling though Ontario’s Algoma country, it’s also considered the half way point of the Trans-Canada Highway.

What a fantastic rest stop!

It’s always a good idea to get out and stretch your legs during a long road trip, and this one has the added benefit of a big waterfall.

Not only viewing it, mind you... but - depending on the time of year- the opportunity to go out climbing on the rocky shore of the falls, for a real “stretch” - AND a better view!

Anyway, let us tell you all about it!

The Basics:

Location Name: Chippewa Falls
Address: Algoma, Unorganized, North Part, ON P0S 1A0, Canada (Click for Google Map Location!)
Website: N/A
Price Free!
Reservations: Not Applicable

Logistics

Some basic information to help you plan your visit:

Registration and Check In

As a pretty basic - logistically speaking - rest stop, there’s not much to say here. Parking is free, you don’t need permits or anything, and there is no need to check in anywhere.

Washrooms

There are two washroom buildings right next to the parking lot. We didn’t end up using them during our stay.

Maps and Signage

There are no maps - and very little in the way of signage at Chippewa falls, aside from an interpretive panel about the area being the halfway point of the Trans-Canada highway, and Dr. Perry Doolittle being the first person to cross the country by car.

It’s pretty straightforward, though. Everything in the picnic area is viewable from the parking lot, and the trail entrance is easy to see from there.

Would have been nice to have some trail information signage, though.

There’s also one of the Moments of Algoma easel display setups.

We’ve seen a few of these now - in Lake Superior Provincial Park, Neys Provincial Park, and - most recently - Pancake Bay Provincial Park.

I’m still a bit surprised we didn’t see one at Onaping Falls, given that the lookout there is named after A.Y Jackson - one of the founding members of the Group of Seven.

Parking

There’s a large parking lot for the falls, right off the side of the highway.

There’s plenty of room for an RV or trailer to pull through there (transport trucks aren’t allowed, though), with the caveat that we weren’t there at a busy time.

During our stay there was only one other truck parked in the lot. I imagine it would be quite a bit busier during fall colour season, just after the spring thaw (when the falls would be at their fullest), and during summer road trip season.

Also to note: There is no parking or camping overnight.

Day Use Area

As a rest stop, there is a picnic area along the side of the parking lot. The picnic tables are the metal style, and were in good condition.

There’s also a bit of a lookout spot on the bridge - same side of the highway as the falls - with 3 benches overlooking the waterfalls and gorge area.

3 part image showing seating overlooking the fall from the highway bridge, and the views from that point. — The viewing platform on the bridge.

Accessibility

As a rest stop, Chippewa Falls is a *fairly* accessible place to pull over.

There are wheelchair accessible designated washrooms in the parking lot - two of them - though the path to get to them is kind of rough.

Also: there aren't any designated parking spaces in front of them.

So, while the washrooms are labeled as being accessible, you might not be able to access that rough little walkway to get to them if it's a busy day.

Beyond that, there are several wheelchair accessible picnic tables - each on a concrete pad, with one open side (no bench).

In terms of the trail - it’s NOT wheelchair accessible. You’ll be able to get to the overlook spot on the bridge, that’s about it in terms of waterfall viewing for wheelchair users.

As far as other mobility issues go, the trail is doable with other types of mobility aid - if you’re adventurous enough.

I would have been able to do the whole thing on a boot or with a cane, there were some uphill and some roots but nothing too wild.

Once you get to the rocks, I wouldn't do that with any sort of mobility impairment.

They're all kinds of different shapes and angles, with sharp peaks - you really want your feet to be working well to go out on these rocks, and you're going to want to have a good sense of balance.

Connectivity

I had pretty decent internet in the parking lot and when I was out on the rocks when I was on the trail between the parking lot and the rocks it was more spotty.

Miscellaneous

Across the highway from the parking lot is the Chippewa River Restaurant & Store.

It seems to be really well rated, but we didn't go in.

2 part image showing the chippewa river restaurant and store. — Chippewa River Restaurant & Store

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Entertainment and Activity

Some information on the various ways you can enjoy yourself at Chippewa Falls:

Chippewa Falls Waterfall

Chippewa falls is 25' tall, and has both the main falls - up front - and upper falls, further back from the road. A Cascade style waterfall, it is fed by the Chippewa River.

Our visit was in September, so it was at one of its lowest flow times of the year - it’s known to be more impressive during the high flows of the spring season.

That said, it was still fantastic, especially with gorgeous views overlooking the whole gorge below the waterfall.

Frankly, I’m not sure we’d have been able to get out there for those views, at spring thaw levels of flow... so fall may actually be a better time to visit, depending on what you like to get out of your waterfalling experience.

Hiking

There are a few different ways to view the waterfall, depending on how able bodied you are, and what kind of effort you’re looking to put in.

The easiest option is the viewing bridge, where you can see the entire waterfall from the side of the highway. This is the most accessible option.

Beyond that:

Lower Falls

Very close to the parking lot there's a little trail that goes down to clearing on the shore of the gorge, below the lower falls and off to the side.

You don't really see the falls from there, it’s more the runoff / some small cascading... but a nice view nonetheless.

4 part image showing a steep rocky trail down to Chippewa Falls gorge. — The first little trail down to the gorge.

Note: This was during the fall, it’s likely VERY different - and maybe not all that accessible - in the spring, with the winter runoff.

Once you get back up to the trail, you can continue on to the sides of the waterfall

4 part image showing views around the base of Chippewa Falls, and the Chippewa River gorge. — The view from the base of the first little trail.

Sides of the Waterfall

A very short distance up the trail - about 0.1 km - you come to an opening out over some wild rock formations, that form the top of the lower falls:

4 part image showing the trail from the parking lot, to a rocky outcrop next to Chippewa Falls. — The trail to the rocks.

You can walk right out onto these rocks for a view down the lower falls, and you have a pretty clear view of the upper falls from out there, also.

It's a lot of fun to walk on those rocks, but you’ll want to be VERY careful up there. These aren’t the big, flat kind we’ve seen elsewhere, and there are some steep, perilous drops!

Note: The trail to the rocky outcrop may have been short, but it was still relatively difficult. Lots of incline, rocks, and roots... but absolutely worth the effort!

Upper Waterfall

Once you’re done with that first rocky outcrop, you can continue up the trail - and I do mean UP - a short distance to come to the base of the upper falls.

It’s *very* straight uphill from the side of the waterfall - and more into the woods - to get to the upper falls.

The upper falls aren’t necessarily as impressive as the main waterfall, but it’s really cool to be able to get to the base of the falls.

Also, they feel like an entirely different waterfall.

Alternatively, you can follow the rocky shore over to the base of the upper falls.

Beyond the Waterfalls

Apparently you can continue for another km or so past the upper waterfall, to eventually get to yet another upper falls area.

We didn’t do this, though, so I can’t say how accurate that information is. We’ve seen some *wildly* inaccurate info, when it comes to waterfall trails lately!

Birding, Wildlife, and Nature

We didn’t see or hear even a single bird during our trip to Chippewa Falls! In fairness, we probably wouldn’t have been able to hear anything over the sound of the falls.

Also, we were probably a bit to distracted by the falls, to be looking up or outwards!

Fishing

We saw some signage about Brook Trout limits, but didn’t see anyone actually fishing during our visit.

I was curious, so I did some Googling. Apparently the Chippewa Falls - and Chippewa River in general - is good for Rainbow Trout and Salmon fishing as well.

Swimming

This doesn’t seem like a safe - or particularly good - place for a swim. We definitely recommend going to either Batchawana Bay Provincial Park or Pancake Bay Provincial Park if you’re looking to go swimming.

Niantic Games

There is a gym and a poke stop / Ingress Portal in the parking lot and that's it for the area.

Final Thoughts

Chippewa Falls is a really great place for a rest stop, of course... but it’s also totally worthy of being an actual destination.

We had SO much fun walking out onto the rocks by the falls, and the views down the gorge were absolutely beautiful.

Yes, the rocks themselves are difficult - and the trail to get there is not super easy - but it still feels like a big payout for the effort. Like I said - it’s only 0.1 km to get to the big view, and probably no more than another 0.1-0.2 km from there to get all the way to the back waterfall.

I love that it’s located so close to Pancake Bay Provincial Park - we loved staying there, and we were already planning on going back next year.

So it’s nice to know we’ll be just up the road from Chippewa Falls.

Next time, we’ll probably time it for earlier in the day, so time and temperature don’t get in the way of exploring the trail beyond the immediately-visible falls area!