Waterfalls in the Grande Prairie Region
(And How to Chase Them)
Waterfalls in the Grande Prairie Region
Header image: Red Willow Falls by Lloyd Dykstra
Grande Prairie lives up to its name being fairly flat and prairie like but as you head further west and south, you will find yourself into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
Along Alberta’s western border, hidden among the emerald hills of summer, you’ll find a several waterfalls. Many of these waterfalls are hidden gems, only accessible through hiking, 4X4s, or ATVs. Take a day, go on an adventure, and discover a new part of the world – all part of an unforgettable Grande Prairie region summer.
Discover why we call the terrain of the Grande Prairie region ‘untapped’. Visit Red Willow Falls for a challenging hike and amazing scenery. A bigger challenge is kakwa Falls, you may see wild horses on your way.
ALWAYS:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wuc6qwu13jU&t=3s
- Tell someone you trust where you’re headed and when you’ll be back.
- Bring food, water, and emergency supplies.
- Bring bear spray, and familiarize yourself with what to do if you encounter a bear.
Eaton Falls
HOW: Hiking
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
Our first fall is located in Willmore Wilderness Park, accessible via a 3.6km trail marked by moose antlers that leads through a few challenging, forested hills. Eaton Falls itself cascades down over a face of jagged slate – about as iconic of the Rocky Mountains as it gets.
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Twin Falls
HOW: Hiking
DIFFICULTY: Family-Friendly
Twin Falls can be found about 12km north of Grande Cache. Despite starting off at the ominously-named Hells Creek, the walk is actually quite short and pleasant through a variety of interesting terrain. The falls offer a signed viewpoint for a great photo opportunity.
Muskeg Falls
HOW: Hiking
DIFFICULTY: Easy/Moderate
The hike to Muskeg Falls starts off easy through spruce forests but accessing the actual falls themselves can be tricky. There is a sharp, narrow descent with tricky footing. The upside? You can actually get right up to the falls themselves, but please – exercise extreme caution on wet terrain or near any edges.
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Kakwa Falls
HOW: Hiking, 4×4/ATV
DIFFICULTY: Hiking – Hard | 4×4/ATV – Moderate
Alberta’s tallest waterfall can be found in Kakwa Wildland Park, but getting there is no joke. A 20km unmaintained off-road trail makes up the majority of the trek, which will take 1.5 hours in a 4X4, less on an ATV, and a full day for an experienced hiker. Be aware the trail crosses several creeks and rivers, so high water levels may impede access entirely. The effort is worth it – when you get there, you’ll almost certainly have the majestic 30m falls to yourselves.
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Red Willow Falls
HOW: Hiking, ATV
DIFFICULTY: Moderate/Hard
The trail to Red Willow Falls can be found close to Beaverlodge – home of the legendary Giant Beaver – and is a short but fairly challenging route on foot. There are many steep and narrow inclines, some of which require the use of provided ropes. The marked quad trail offers an easier alternative but is longer. Whichever route you take, bring your swimsuit, because the pool at the base of the falls is a great way to cool off!
Take caution: bears are known to particularly frequent this area in the summer.
Cutbank Falls
HOW: Hiking, ATV
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
For ATVers, the path to Cutbank Falls offers a variety of intersecting trails for you to go wild on. For those on foot, the same trails can get quite muddy and torn up by the ATVs, which can make what ought to be quite an easy hike challenging at times. The destination is the same – a striking waterfall that has carved a path through a rocky channel.
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BONUS! Tumbler Ridge, B.C.
HOW: Boat, Hiking, ATV
DIFFICULTY: Variable
Once you’ve explored the falls of the Grande Prairie region, the Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark is just across the B.C. border. Packed with many spectacular falls, at the height of summer you can even take a cruise on a high-speed river boat!
Other Things to Do in Grande Prairie This Summer
There’s plenty of other outdoor options to explore this summer in the Grande Prairie region. If you’re in the hiking mood, we’ve listed out some of our favourite trails to explore. Or why not do a little camping while you’re out hunting waterfalls by day? Whatever you choose, make sure to do it safely and responsibly – and then hit us up at #GPTourism on social with the photos!