Kakabeka Falls is the Ontario waterfall in Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park nicknamed the “Niagara of the North.”
The waterfall is on the Kaministiquia River, west of Thunder Bay. Its main drop is about 40 metres, making it one of the largest waterfalls in the region. The river cuts through resistant rock and exposes fossils in the gorge below, giving the site geological as well as scenic importance.
Kakabeka Falls has long been associated with Indigenous history and regional travel. The Kaministiquia River was part of historic transportation routes around the western end of Lake Superior, and the waterfall was an important obstacle for canoe travelers.
The nickname compares its dramatic setting and broad plunge with Niagara Falls, but Kakabeka is much smaller and is not part of the Niagara River system. The park’s viewing platforms make the waterfall accessible throughout the year.