The waterfalls in British Columbia are numerous mostly unknown, even to most British Columbians. From charming wooded waterfalls to wide rocky waterfalls, the waterfalls in BC have it all. Whether you visit one of these waterfalls or all ten, the views are sure to be rewarding! In no particular order, here are the best waterfalls in BC!
Best Waterfalls in British Columbia
Elk Falls, Elk Falls Provincial Park
Elk Falls is found on Vancouver Island in Campbell River. The Elk Falls suspension bridge and viewpoint areas are accessed via a short, 800-metre hike on easy trails. There are three main viewing areas:the suspension bridge and the north and south viewing areas. Some stairs a required to access the suspension bridge and south viewpoint.
Elk Falls Provincial Park is one of the most popular parks on Vancouver Island. It offers excellent salmon fishing and a network of hiking trails. Its location very close to Campbell River is also a reason why it is so popular. Nearby trails to Elk Falls include the Canyon view loop trail (4km), Millenium trail (2.5km), Quinsam River (2km) and Beaver Pond / Kingfisher Trail (1 km).
BC Parks suggests allowing 1 to 3 hours to visit the area.
About Elk Falls Waterfall
Dogs: Dogs are allowed on the trail. They must be leashed at all times.
Parking: Parking Lot
Restrooms: Yes
Seasonal: Year Round
Brandywine Falls, Whistler
Brandywine falls is located just outside of Whistler and on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the St̓át̓imc Tmicw (St’at’imc), Lil’wat and Skwxwú7mesh-ulh Temíx̱w (Squamish). It is easy to access making it one of the popular waterfalls near Vancouver. The hike is less than 15 minutes and flat. There is one train track crossing but otherwise it is stroller friendly.
The falls itself drops approximately 70m and the surrounding cavern features rockslides that have crumbled from the walls over hundreds of years.
The parking lot for Brandywine falls is closed in the wintertime. Expect it to be busy in peak periods as it is a popular stop for those driving the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler.
About Brandywine Falls Waterfall
Dogs: Dogs are allowed on the trail. They must be leashed at all times.
Parking: Parking Lot
Restrooms: Yes, at the parking lot
Seasonal: Spring to Fall (closed in the winter due to snowy conditions)
Bridal Veil Falls, Fraser Valley BC
Bridal Veil Falls is located just past Chillwack along Highway 1. The falls itself are a short walk from the day use area. They cascade over 60 meters over smooth rock giving a bridal veil-like appearance. Bridal Veil Falls is located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish, S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō) and Stz’uminus.
About Bridal Veil Falls Waterfall
Dogs: Dogs are allowed on the trail and in the park. They must be leashed at all times.
Parking: Parking Lot
Restrooms: Yes, at the parking lot
Seasonal: May – October
Shannon Falls
Shannon falls is probably one of the closest to finding actual waterfalls in Vancouver. It is located in nearby Squamish and is BC’s tallest waterfall dropping 335 meters (over 1000 feet). Around the base of the falls, you’ll find a well-maintained boardwalk and trail network to explore some of the area’s towering trees, old-growth stumps and the ever-present mist from the roaring falls above.
Shannon Falls Provincial Park is located just off the Sea to Sky Highway approximately 58 kilometres north of Vancouver and just 2 kilometres south of Squamish. The falls is adjacent to Stawamus Chief Provincial Park.
The walk to the falls is short, less than 1km and less than 30 minutes.
About Shannon Falls Waterfall
Dogs: Dogs are allowed on the trail and in the park. They must be leashed at all times.
Parking: Parking Lot and Overflow
Restrooms: Yes, at the picnic area near the parking lot
Seasonal: Open Year Round
Helmcken Falls
Helmcken Falls is the most famous waterfall in Wells Gray Provincial Park. Wells Gray Provincial Park has 40 waterfalls, but if you only have time for one and want one of the best waterfalls in British Columbia, then Helmcken Falls is it!
Helmcken Falls drops 141m.
About Helmcken Falls Waterfall
Dogs: Dogs are allowed on the trail and in the park. They must be leashed at all times.
Parking: Parking Lot
Restrooms: Yes
Seasonal: Open Year Round
Gold Creek Falls, Fraser Valley BC
This is one of the waterfalls in BC that you have to work for! But do not despair, it is a relatively flat hike and one of the top easy hikes near Metro Vancouver. While I saw strollers on the trail, I would not recommend it. The trail is about 5 kilometers round trip. I highly suggest you pack a picnic and enjoy it along Gold Creek before or after you visit the falls.
Gold Creek Falls in Golden Ears Provincial Park is located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish, Katzie, Stó:lō, W̱SÁNEĆ and Kwantlen First Nations.
About Gold Creek Falls
Dogs: Dogs are allowed on the trail and in the park. They must be leashed within 1km of the parking lot. Off leash is allowed after that point.
Parking: Parking Lot
Restrooms: Yes at parking lot.
Seasonal: Open Year Round
Dawson Falls
Dawson Falls is a horse-shoe-shaped falls, similar to a mini-Niagara Falls. It is located in Wells Gray Provincial Park and is one of the seven falls on the Murtle River. The trek to Dawson Falls is a short 1.4km round trip trail that will take you to two separate viewpoints. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the falls.
About Dawson Falls
Dogs: Dogs are allowed on the trail and in the park.
Parking: Parking Lot
Restrooms: Outhouses at the start of the trail
Seasonal: Open Year Round
Cascade Falls, Mission BC
Cascade falls is a 30-meter waterfall located in Deroche BC (near Mission), and is located less than an hour from Vancouver. During the early spring months and after a rainfall, an enormous amount of water flows over the rocks and into the canyon down below. Cascade Falls can be accessed by a short 1 km trail featuring stairs leading to a viewing platform and suspension bridge. It takes about 15 minutes to walk to the falls.
About Cascade Falls
Dogs: Dogs are allowed on the trail and in the park. They must be leashed.
Parking: Parking Lot
Restrooms: Yes
Seasonal: Open April – November
More BC Waterfall info coming for
- alexander falls
- Takakkaw Falls
Photo Credits: Credit Destination BC / Max Zeddler (Top Left) , Mike Seehagel (Top Right), Grant Harder (Bottom Left), Kari Medig (Bottom Right)
Lindsay Nieminen is the creator of UncoveringBC.com. She grew up and still lives in the suburbs of Vancouver with her family. She aims to inspire inform, and educate others about traveling in her home province of British Columbia. She is also the creator of carpediemourway.com which aims to show parents how to seek out adventure at home or abroad, with their children in tow!