The Best 17 Waterfalls Near Vancouver
British Columbia is an absolute goldmine when it comes to waterfalls! Dave and I have spent a lot of time waterfall chasing in the past year and now we have put this list together of the best waterfalls near Vancouver.
Some of the waterfalls in this list are located in Vancouver and some are a couple of hours drive away. You can walk all the way up to some of the waterfalls and others you can only view from a distance.
This guide contains a list of the best 17 waterfalls near Vancouver. After reading this guide you will have everything you need to create your own Vancouver waterfall bucket list!
We have provided the most important details on each waterfall so that you will know whether a walk is required to reach it and how long that walk may be.
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For waterfall chasing during Winter, Spring and Fall, we recommend having micro spikes with you just in case the walk to the falls is icy.
Our favourites are from Black Diamond which you can buy here. Below you will find a map with a pin for each of the waterfalls. You can open this map in your own google maps and use it to plug in directions straight away.
A few of these waterfalls can be accessed via public transport from Vancouver, however this is always going to take more time.
If you don’t have your own car, we recommend using either Evo or Modo which is something we did a lot of when we first moved to Vancouver. These are car sharing services that you can use for just a few hours or an entire day and make day trips SO much more relaxing!
When is the Best Time of the Year to Chase Waterfalls
The best time of the year to chase waterfalls is either Winter or Spring. During these seasons, the waterfalls will be raging due to the snow melting run off mixed with the Winter and Springtime rainfall.
We also think that Spring makes a great time for waterfall excursions because at this stage, Ski Resorts are starting to close, you are probably getting sick of hiking in the snow and you are keen to start thinking of different activities to do.
Hiking Gear – What to Wear
When chasing waterfalls, it’s always best to be prepared for a muddy hike, even if it is a short one. A lot of the time we choose to wear our hiking gear.
- Hiking Boots – Hiking boots are great for muddy, slippery hikes which is what waterfall hikes usually are! Kerry’s loves the Oboz Bridger Mid B-Dry Boots and Dave’s favourite boots are his Scarpa Kailash Plus Gore-Tex Backpacking Boots.
- Hiking Socks – Good hiking socks are important to make your boots as comfortable as possible! Our favourites for hiking in Spring when the weather is a little colder are the Smartwool Hike Classic Edition Full Cushion Crew and the Darn Tough Hiker Midweight with Cushion Micro Crew socks.
- Micro Spikes – Our micro spikes slip onto the bottom of our boots and have come in really useful on some of our waterfall hikes! Ours are from Black Diamond and Kahtoola.
- Merino Top / Tee – Merino is a great material to hike in so we use Merino tops to hike. Our favourite Merino tops are from Icebreaker!
- Fleece – When chasing waterfalls in Spring, we like to layer up because when you reach the falls, it is usually pretty cold. Our favourite fleeces are the Patagonia Better Sweater 1/4 Zip (Kerry’s) and a Mac Pac Fleece from Australia (Dave’s).
- Puffer Jacket – We love our puffer jackets to keep warm at the beginning of the walk and then once we are at the falls. Dave’s favourite puffer jacket is the Arcteryx Cerium LT Hoody and Kerry’s favourites are the Eddie Bauer CirrusLite Down Hooded Jacket and Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket.
- Rain Jacket – Because Spring weather is pretty unpredictable, we recommend bringing along a raincoats on the longer waterfall hikes as they almost always come in handy!
- Beanie – While the weather is still cold, we still bring along our beanies on our hikes. Some of our favourites are from Dakine and Eddie Bauer.
- Kerry’s Leggings – Kerry wears leggings on every hike and her favourites are the Lululemon Align pant.
- Day Backpack – Our favourite backpack for day hikes is the Osprey Tempest 20 Backpack.
- Your Camera Gear! We never go anywhere without ours!
Leave No Trace
Whenever you are enjoying the the beautiful nature that our world has to offer, remember to leave no trace (LNT)! Respect the beautiful places that make British Columbia beautiful and take out everything that you take in, take only photos and respect the wildlife and other people. You can read more on the 7 LNT principles here.
Waterfalls Near Vancouver Bucketlist
Click here to open the map in Google Maps!
Bridal Veil Falls – Area: Chilliwack
Walk to waterfall: Yes
Distance of Walk: 0.8km
Toilets: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes
Distance from Vancouver: 1.5hrs
Details: Bridal Falls or Bridal Veil Falls is located in Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park near Chilliwack. It is a pretty short walk slightly uphill on a well maintained path. This waterfall is well known and a popular tourist destination.
When we were there, a small bus arrived with a group of tourists just as we were leaving. The falls are also protected by a barrier with a sign that you need to keep out or you will be fined so don’t get too excited about walking right up to these falls. There are toilets located in the carpark.
Flood Falls – Area: Hope
Walk to waterfall: Yes
Distance of Walk: 1km
Toilets: No
Dogs allowed: Yes
Distance from Vancouver: 1.5hrs
Details: Flood Falls can be done in the same day as Bridal Falls as it is only a 20 minute drive away. The walk to Flood Falls is through a forest and much less maintained than Bridal Falls but still pretty easy. The carpark is much less official and is literally on the side of the road.
There are no toilets. If you prefer to stay away from touristy spots, then you will prefer this one over Bridal Falls. You can walk right up to the waterfall and there is even a few comfy rocks to sit on to admire it from. We found the mosquitoes pretty bad here so beware!
Steelhead Falls – Area: Mission
Walk to waterfall: Yes
Distance of Walk: 2km
Toilets: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes
Distance from Vancouver: 1hr
Details: Steelhead Falls is located in Mission, 1 hour from Vancouver. The parking lot for Steelhead Falls is located on Dewdney Trunk Road and has a toilet available at the trailhead just out of the carpark.
The walk to the falls is a quick one through a lush green forest. At the falls there is a platform overlooking them with a wooden seat.
Cascade Falls – Area: Mission
Walk to waterfall: Yes
Distance of Walk: 0.75km
Toilets: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes
Distance from Vancouver: 1hr 20mins
Details: Cascade Falls is also located in Mission, although is still a half hour drive from Steelhead Falls. Cascade Falls is probably close to our favourite waterfall near Vancouver as it looks like a fairytale with a suspension bridge overlooking the perfect waterfall.
The hike to the falls is a little steep but extremely short and will only take you around 15 mins one way. Cascade Falls can get extremely crowded so the best time to go is actually on a super rainy day!
We actually went when it was pouring with rain and there were still families out walking in the area, however not nearly as many as when it is a nice sunny day. There is a toilet located in the carpark.
For more information on Cascade Falls, check out our Visiting Cascade Falls Guide.
Norvan Falls – Area: North Vancouver
Walk to waterfall: Yes
Distance of Walk: 14km
Toilets: Yes, in carpark
Dogs allowed: Yes
Distance from Vancouver: 35 mins
Details: Norvan Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Vancouver! It is also the waterfall with the longest walk from the carpark included in this list. It is a 14km return hike to Norvan Falls but it makes for a great day out in nature and can be enjoyed with kids as long as they can walk long distances!
The Norvan Falls Hike is pretty flat but long and located in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park in North Vancouver. The trailhead is about 35 minutes drive from Downtown Vancouver.
You will want to park in the Lynn Headwaters Entrance Parking Lot and not the Rice Lake Parking Lot as this will add on 4km to your hike.
The trail can be used for most of the year, however in Winter make sure you bring along your micro spikes. Due to the trail running parallel to the river, it can get extremely icy and slippery.
You will find everything you need to know about hiking to Norvan Falls in our Norvan Falls Hiking Guide along with some extra tips!
Kennedy Falls – Area: North Vancouver
Walk to waterfall: Yes
Distance of Walk: 10km
Toilets: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes
Distance from Vancouver: 30mins
Details: Kennedy Falls is another great waterfall in Vancouver and is a 10km out and back hike located in to the West side of Lynn Creek which is the opposite side of the creek that the Norvan Falls Hike is on. You will also be excited to know that Kennedy Falls is dog friendly!
Kennedy Falls is also only a 30 minute drive from downtown Vancouver so very convenient! The trail took us around 4.5 hours to complete, which included a half hour stop at the waterfall for a snack and to take some photos.
You will find everything you need to know about hiking to Kennedy Falls in our Kennedy Falls Hiking Guide!
Twin Falls – Area: North Vancouver
Walk to waterfall: Yes
Distance of Walk: 1.5km
Toilets: Yes, you can find public washrooms located on the side of the café building
Dogs allowed: Yes
Distance from Vancouver: 30mins
Details: Twin Falls is a short 1.5km hike which will take you over the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. The hike will take about 1hr.
You will need to park in the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre. Parking is usually free in the Winter but paid parking is put into effect in the busier months.
To check on the current parking situation at Lynn Canyon, check out the Lynn Canyon website. Crossing the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge is completely free.
Brandywine Falls – Area: Whistler
Walk to waterfall: 10-15mins
Distance of Walk: 1km
Toilets: Yes in parking lot
Dogs allowed: Yes
Distance from Vancouver: 1hr 20mins
Details: Brandywine is a waterfall near Whistler and is one of the most spectacular waterfalls on this list. I also think it has the best name. It is absolutely massive and gives off the impression that you have suddenly been transported to Iceland.
Brandywine Waterfall is approximately 70metres high and is surrounded by a large eroded cavern.
The walk to the falls is very short and can be enjoyed by the whole family. It is about 1km return and will take you over a railway crossing so look both ways before crossing.
Brandywine Falls can be seen best from the first viewing platform that you come to. You can then choose to walk further to the end of the trail where you will be able to see views of Daisy Lake.
Alexander Falls – Area: Whistler
Walk to waterfall: No
Toilets: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes
Distance from Vancouver: 1.5hrs
Details: Alexander Falls is another waterfall near Whistler situated on Madely Creek in the Callaghan Valley. The waterfall is 43 metres tall and around 12 metres wide. The falls are located right next to the parking lot.
You will need to park your car on a rough gravel road which has quite a few large potholes so be careful! There are two viewing platforms to admire Alexander Falls from but the higher one had the best viewpoint. There is also a pit toilet located in the carpark.
Rainbow Falls – Area: Whistler
Walk to waterfall: Yes
Distance of Walk: 1.2km out and back or 2.3km loop
Toilets: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes
Distance from Vancouver: 1hr 35mins
Details: If you are spending a day to check out all of the Whistler waterfalls, you should add Rainbow Falls to the list. Rainbow Falls is a little walk from the carpark and has 2 different viewpoints of the falls that were just as beautiful as each other.
The trail breaks off from the main trail to the right (pictured above) and has a left and a right turn from there. Make sure you take both to check out both viewpoints as pictured in the photos above. Our favourite was viewpoint 1 as you could get much closer to the falls.
We also went back in Summer and had a little dip! The water was freezing but so refreshing in the hot sun.
Nairn Falls – Area: Whistler / Pemberton
Walk to waterfall: Yes
Distance of Walk: 3km
Toilets: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes
Distance from Vancouver: 2hrs
Details: Nairn Falls is a 3km return hike to the lookout point. When we were at the lookout at Nairn Falls, we overheard someone say that this is the easiest hike with the most stunning waterfall and we have to agree with them.
The waterfall is very different to others in the area as it is seen through two cliff faces with a blue river running along in front of it. Nairn Falls is absolutely stunning! You can also camp next to the trailhead at Nairn Falls in the designated campsite area.
Shannon Falls – Area: Squamish
Walk to waterfall: yes but very minimal
Distance of Walk: 1km
Toilets: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes
Distance from Vancouver: 1hr
Details: Shannon Falls is located South of Squamish on the Sea to Sky Highway and has it’s own designated carpark. There are toilets located near the picnic area, not far from the parking lot.
Shannon Falls is a popular tourist spot and can get extremely busy as it is so easy to get to, however it is still a nice spot to stop on the way along the Sea to Sky Highway.
You can also hike to the pools higher up Shannon Falls. More information on the Shannon Falls Pools Trail can be found here.
Crooked Falls – Area: Squamish
Walk to waterfall: Yes
Distance of Walk: 6km
Toilets: No
Dogs allowed: Yes
Distance from Vancouver: 1.5hrs
Details: Crooked Falls is an absolutely stunning waterfall! You will need to park off the side of the road beside Ashlu Creek and then look for a yellow sign marked Sigurd Trail.
This is where you will start your hike. Note that there are no toilets at the trailhead or where you park. The hike to Crooked Falls and back will take you around 3.5hrs and is 6km return along the Sigurd Trail. The Crooked Falls Hike is dog friendly.
The hike to the falls has several other viewpoints along the way and you can view the waterfall from two different viewpoints. The first viewpoint is straight down the hill so that you are facing the waterfall front on.
The second viewpoint is located back up the hill and up a trail to the side of the falls. Be extra careful here as the trail is quite slippery.
Cypress Falls – Area: West Vancouver
Walk to waterfall: Yes
Distance of Walk: 3km
Toilets: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes
Distance from Vancouver: 25mins
Details: Cypress Falls is located in Cypress Falls Park and is a lesser known waterfall in the middle of a beautiful forest. On your walk, you will pass not one, but two waterfalls, the lower falls and the upper falls. You should allow for about 1.5hrs to do this short hike.
Gold Creek Falls – Area: Golden Ears Provincial Park
Walk to waterfall: Yes
Distance of Walk: 5.5km
Toilets: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes
Distance from Vancouver: 1.5hrs
Details: Gold Creek Falls is located in the beautiful Golden Ears Provincial Park and has both an upper and lower falls that you can hike to. You should allow for around 2hrs to complete this hike.
You will need to park in the Gold Creek Carpark to get to the trailhead which is the Lower Falls Trail. First you will reach the lower falls, shortly followed by the upper falls.
Beware of the water here as it looks so inviting and beautiful but people have died being swept over the falls. You will see a sign warning you not to go in the water.
Sawblade Falls – Area: Coquitlam
Walk to waterfall: Yes
Distance of Walk: 9km
Toilets: No
Dogs allowed: Yes
Distance from Vancouver: 40mins
Details: Sawblade Falls is a 9km hike and located on Burke Mountain in Pinecone Burke Provincial Park, Coquitlam. You can choose to complete the Sawblade Falls Hike in a loop. It will likely take you around 3.5 to 4 hours to complete.
Mamquam Falls – Squamish
Walk to waterfall: Yes
Distance of Walk: 1.5km
Toilets: Yes – when you first turn off the highway in the parking lot on your right. None located at the trailhead
Dogs allowed: Yes
Distance from Vancouver: 1 hour
Mamquam Falls is located in Squamish and it is a short walk from the parking lot to reach the Falls. You do need to drive down a bit of a bumpy forest road to reach the trailhead.
You will hike down to the river and then turn right to continue along the river through a gorgeous mossy forest. This river is a super popular spot for kayaks to paddle. There is a viewing platform at the falls to see out to Mamquam Falls.
This is a great, easy to get to waterfall that is absolutely stunning!
Our Thoughts
We have only just scratched the surface of the epic waterfalls in and around Vancouver. We have explored a lot of them already and done some research on others which are on our waterfall list. This guide includes the very best and most beautiful waterfalls in and around Vancouver.
You might also enjoy:
- Unique Waterfalls on Vancouver Island That You Need to Visit
- Beautiful Overnight Hikes Near Vancouver
- How to Spend One Day in Vancouver
- Best Hikes Near Squamish (including Easy Trails)
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