Revelstoke is the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts, and the waterfall scene is no exception. From the big popular waterfalls, like Begbie Falls, Sutherland Falls and Moses falls, to smaller hidden gems sprinkled along the Columbia river, there are so many beautiful waterfalls in Revelstoke. Whether you are looking for a place to relax in the summer heat, a short hike, a long hike, a paddle boarding/kayaking destination, or somewhere to snowshoe in the winter, there is the perfect waterfall for your next adventure!
In this post I will break down some of the nearby waterfalls, including how to get to them and what to expect. Then you can pick the best one for you to visit on your next road trip.
Moses Falls
Moses falls is a very short drive from downtown Revelstoke making it one of the most accessible waterfalls. It is a beautiful two segment waterfall, with a layered rock cliff and hundreds of tiny drip points. That is, if you go in middle or late summer. In the spring I am sure there would be a lot more water flowing.
To access the falls, you will cross the bridge going southwest out of town. Then turn right onto Westside road, across from highway 23 south. About 6 kms down the dirt road, you will get to a small parking lot with a sign for Moses Creek. Google maps will take you right there.
From the Moses Creek parking lot there are two options. There is a dirt road that will take you down and around to the bottom of the falls, or a trail directly there. The trail is short but steep, with some sections you might need to use your hands for.
As you carefully make your way down the steep trail, you will get to the top section of the waterfall first. It is lovely, but smaller and not as dramatic, so definitely make sure to continue down. At the bottom of the falls you will get a great view of all the different sections of water as they split apart from each other across the rocks before rejoining into a creek at the bottom.
If you continue on the path beyond here you will end up at the dirt road I mentioned above. And, after that, you will get to the Columbia river and get to see the beautiful views from its shore. You can’t swim here though as it it is too close to the Revelstoke dam to be safe.
PS. Across the river from here is the Riverside Forest Trail, associated with the BC Interior Forestry Museum.
Begbie Falls
Located about 15-20 minutes out of town, heading south, Begbie falls is another of the most popular waterfalls in Revelstoke. It is made up of two falls side by side, creating a beautiful split waterfall. There is also a nearby beach with great views of the surrounding mountains. And there is a rec site here if you fancy some camping.
You have two options for visiting Begbie Falls, depending on how far you would like to hike.
Minimal Hiking
The first option and easiest way to access the falls is to drive up the Mt Begbie Forest Service Road and park in the nearby parking lot. This is where google maps will take you if you look up Begbie Falls. You will see signs for Begbie Falls Rec Site along the way. Just make sure to keep an eye out for the tiny arrows that accompany these signs! When you get to the end of the paved road, follow the dirt road for a few more kms.
There are a few parking options along the way. However, if you are looking for a longer hike I wouldn’t recommend coming this way at all (check out option 2), so you may as well drive most of the way. There is a parking area near the camping area that allows for a short but beautiful forest walk along the road. Or you can drive all the way to the last parking lot.
From there it is about a 5-10 minute walk to the base of the falls. It is a little steep though.
5km Hike
The second option is to park in the the parking area off Highway 23 and hike to Begbie Falls via the Bluff Trail. When you are driving south on highway 23, continue past Mt Begbie road for another 4-5 minute drive.
The trailhead is located right at the parking lot and leads straight to the falls. It is about 5 kms round trip, through the forest. This area has the typical British Columbia forest feel, with tall trees and a mossy forest floor. Plus after a hike, the already beautiful waterfall feels even more beautiful having earned it.
Camping
As I mentioned there is also a rec site here, which is perfect if you are looking for an affordable place to camp near Revelstoke. There are 26 sites available and they cost $15 a night.
Nestled between Begbie falls, several hiking trails, and a beautiful beach, Begbie falls campsite is a great place to base yourself. Or check out this guide to help you find other affordable camping options.
Sutherland Falls
Located in Blanket Creek Provincial Park, Sutherland Falls is another beautiful waterfall to visit. It is in the same direction out of town as Begbie Falls, just a little further. Therefore, it could make for a great day to check out both of these falls on the same day! Once you get on Highway 23, heading south, it is about a 20 minute drive to Blanket Creek Provincial Park.
Depending on the time of year, the length of this hike varies greatly. In the summer, you are able to drive down the park road and park a short walk away from the falls. In the winter however, the park road is covered in deep snow. But don’t worry, Sutherland falls is still an excellent winter adventure. Grab a pair of snowshoes and head down the road! Just make sure you save some energy and extra time for the hike out, it will be all up hill!
Hidden Gems along the Columbia River/Lake Revelstoke
The named waterfalls we covered sure are beautiful, but there’s definitely something more special about a hidden gem. I am talking no signs, no names, and if you are lucky, no other people. And luckily, Revelstoke has loads of these too. In particular, there are lots of beautiful waterfalls sprinkled along the shores of Lake Revelstoke, a renamed section of the Columbia River since the Revelstoke Dam changed its shape. Some you can get to by foot, but others are boat access only.
So, if you are looking for a paddleboard, kayak, or canoe destination, why not go chasing waterfalls?
The Mexico Beach Waterfall
One of my favourite places to pass a relaxing summer day in Revelstoke is a slightly off the beaten path beach on the western side of Lake Revelstoke. Here you will find a dock with a tall driftwood diving board, both rocky and sandy beach areas, and, you guessed it, a beautiful waterfall. Whether you are looking for a picnic area with great views, a swimming spot, or a less popular waterfall to explore, this spot is definitely worth a visit.
Take Highway 1 west out of town and turn right onto Westside Road towards Moses Falls. Drive for approximately 9 kms (about a 10 minute drive), until you get to the point pictured below.
There are 3 parking/hiking options. First, you can park on the main dirt road and walk the whole way, which I recommend if you have a small car. The second option is to drive down just a bit to a grassy clearing where you can park. I recommend this option if you have a bigger car or SUV. Thirdly, if you have a truck, or feel confident in your bumpy, steep, dirt road driving skills, you can drive all the way down to the water.
Note: I have also seen people use this area as a free campsite as there doesn’t seem to be any signs telling you not to.
To find the waterfall, just walk along the shore to the right of the dock. When you get to a small stream you can follow that up to the waterfall!
Boat Access Only Waterfalls in Revelstoke
Lake Revelstoke is one of the best places for all the things water recreation. If you have any form of watercraft, or decide to rent one from town (check out FSS for paddleboard rentals), there are lots of great launching off points here. Heading North on Highway 23, you’ll first pass the Revelstoke Dam, then you will come across the 5 Mile Boat Launch, and later on Martha Creek Provincial Park (and boat launch). Both of these are great starting points.
Once on the water, paddle along either shore and keep your eyes peeled for waterfalls!! My favourite one I have found so far is about 1.7kms up from 5 Mile boat launch on the Eastern side of the lake. If you do this, let me know what your favourite waterfall you find is!
Broken Bridge Trail
In Mount Revelstoke National Park, there are loads of great hikes, but, surprisingly, not too many waterfalls. However, Broken Bridge Trail does end in a rolling waterfall along the creek as it flows steeply downhill. It is not as dramatic as the other waterfalls in Revelstoke on this list, but it is still a nice place to visit.
About 12 kms up the Meadows in the Sky Parkway, there is a small pull out with a big sign. The trail is about 2kms round trip. There is an incline but it is not too steep. However, the trail is fairly skinny in some places with a steep drop off. It winds its way through the forest, with some beautiful viewpoints whenever there is space to look through the trees.
There is a small bench at the end of the trail, next to the broken bridge. The bridge itself is kind of neat but also so destroyed at this point that it is hard to even tell it was a bridge. Overall, I found the destination at the end of this trail to be a lovely place to hang out but a bit underwhelming.
It is nice if you have extra time but I wouldn’t prioritize it over other hikes in Mount Revelstoke National Park (for a similar timeframe you could check out the Nels Nelson ski jump which is really cool) or other waterfalls on this list.
Waterfalls in Glacier National Park
If you are looking for a bit more of an adventure / a whole day activity in the “greater Revelstoke area”, then Glacier National Park is the place for you. They have some of the best hikes in the area. One of my all time favourite BC hikes I recommend, Perley Rock, is here. Perley Rock also shares the first part of it’s trail with Sir Donald Trail & Backcountry Campsite. Trail access for both is at the Illecillewaet Campground, about 45 minutes east of Revelstoke.
On both of these trails you walk passed such beautiful, huge, and powerful waterfalls!! The entire area is beautiful too, with great views of the surrounding mountains. On the Perley Rock hike your destination is a glacier, which also has another small waterfall feeding into a small glacier lake. For Sir Donald you arrive at a backcountry campsite, complete with a bear box, open air toilet, and the most beautiful clear lake perfect for a chilly dip!
So, whether you come for the waterfalls, the glacier, the camping, or the mountain views, you are sure to have an amazing time here.
Bear Creek Falls
If you are looking to hike specifically to a waterfall in Glacier National Park, check out Bear Creek Falls! This is a secluded glacier waterfall at the end of a 500 meter steep trail. The trailhead is located about 9kms past the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre.
Crazy creek waterfall
Another waterfall option, if you are looking for something with a few more amenities, is at Crazy Creek Resort. Located about half an hour west of Revelstoke, Crazy Creek Resort has a waterfall, suspension bridge, and geothermal hot pools to soak in.
The waterfall has two stages and can be observed from the 240ft suspension bridge. Parts of it can even be enjoyed while soaking in the hot pools. A short walk from the highway with well maintained trails, boardwalks, viewing platforms, and amenities such as bathrooms, the Crazy Creek Falls are definitely a comfortable way to visit a waterfall near Revelstoke. Entrance fees are $11.45 for adults and $6.20 for children (not including access to the pools).
Accomodation
You are also able to camp or stay in lodges here, giving you plenty of time to check out the attractions, including nearby trails. Unserviced tent spots start at $35 a night.
Split Rock Falls
Split rock falls are located on Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR), the ski hill. In the summer RMR keeps their gondolas running for all sorts of activities, such as mountain biking, sightseeing, hiking, and riding their pipe coaster. Split Rock Falls is about a 30 minute hike from the top of the upper Gondola.
You can buy tickets for the gondola online or in person in Guest Services. You will take two gondolas in a row to get to the top, where there is a small restaurant to grab a snack/drink and enjoy the views.
Alternatively, you can hike all the way up from the bottom. This is what I did. You start by taking the “Bottom’s Up” trail to the mid station, then the “Kill The Banker” trail the rest of the way. You can get a free map in guest services before you start.
The Kill The Banker trail from the mid station to the top of the gondola is very steep. And if it’s a hot day out you will definitely be sweating because you also don’t get a lot of sun-protection. However, it is also very interesting to see the ski hill in the summer and you get great views along the way. Plus you’ll definitely deserve whatever overly priced snack or drink you get at the outpost at the top!
From the top the trail to the Split Rock Falls is quite short and flat, so way easier than the way up. When I went, in September, the falls were just a little trickle, but I could see how they would be really nice in the spring!
Check out these other posts about Revelstoke:
- The Best Revelstoke Beaches for Swimming and Relaxing
- 5 Museums to Visit in Revelstoke, British Columbia
- Best Restaurants to Try on Your Trip to Revelstoke
Let me know which waterfalls in Revelstoke are your favourites in the comments below! Or save this post for your next trip through Revelstoke!
I had such a wonderful time admiring these breathtaking waterfalls. They are incredibly scenic and would make a perfect screensaver or calendar feature. Thank you for sharing your thrilling adventures with us.
Thanks for reading and commenting! I am glad you enjoyed it 🙂
This is a wonderful post. I can’t wait to visit BC and check out some of these amazing falls!
Yes!! BC is so beautiful, you should definitely come check it out if you have the chance 🙂 Thanks for reading!
Thank you for this list! We are in Alberta and love to get out in nature. I think we have only been to a couple of the ones that you have listed here!
Awesome! You should definitely check out some of the others if you get the chance, they are all so beautiful!
Waterfall hikes are my absolute favorite thing!
Beautiful photos- Makes me want to see this part of the world!