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What are the easiest waterfalls to visit with an infant? Living in southwestern Ontario, we are very lucky to be living by one of the world’s most interesting biospheres, the Niagara escarpment. Stretching all the way from Wisconsin, north of Chicago, through the Bruce peninsula, to St Catherine’s and ending in Waterdown, New York. The Niagara escarpment is home to hundreds of waterfalls, including the most famous of which it is named, Niagara falls.
Unfortunately, as many of these falls have gained popularity over the years, many of them have been fenced off, with heavy fines put in place for those who still decide to venture past the fences. Friends would tell us stories of swimming at Albion Falls or post prom adventures at Felkers falls, but along with these stories, are stories of friends or family members who have fallen off the escarpment having to be rescued by emergency services.
So having these safety precautions in place is understandable, as the escarpment isn’t always a safe place to adventure freely, especially with your little one. That being said, there are still tons of great waterfalls that can easily be accessed or have great infrastructure built around them for great views. Below are a few of our favourites from our own adventures.
Here are our Favourite Waterfalls to Visit with an Infant:
Table of Contents:
Smokey Hollow Falls
Located in Hamilton “The city of waterfalls” Smokey Hollow falls is one of our most recent discoveries. The viewing platform for Smokey Hollow is located right beside the parking lot making it a super convenient waterfall to visit with an infant. Additionally, there is a short trail with a safe path to the bottom of the ravine for amazing views of the falls.
Belfountain
A recent discovery, Belfountain is located in Caledon, Ontario along the Credit River. With a beautiful conservation area built around the falls, one can bring their baby and stroller through the park and on some of the trails. There’s even a suspension bridge that crosses right in front of the falls, making for a great lookout point.
Where to stay near Belfountain?
Tiffany Falls
Another Waterfall from Hamilton, Tiffany falls is also located in a small conservation area. A short footpath takes you from the parking lot right to a viewing platform at foot of the falls. It is possible to use your stroller along the path, as it’s well maintained with several bridges along the way, but we recommend using a harness as it gets quite narrow and rocky along some parts.
Devil’s Punchbowl
One of the tallest and arguably one of the most popular falls on this list. This 34-meter ribbon falls cuts through the escarpment exposing several layers of rock, creating a kaleidoscope of colour. The viewing area is only a short walk from the parking lot and sits atop the escarpment giving an amazing view of Stoney Creek and Hamilton Harbor below. One can even see Toronto in the distance on a clear day.
Tews Falls
Speaking of great views. Tews falls marks the beginning of the trail to Hamilton’s famous Dundas peak. Tews falls has 2 viewing platforms a short distance from the parking area. One platform is at ground level, while the second is up a set of stairs for a higher vantage point. Just past the stairs for the platform is the head of the trail to Dundas peak.
The hike takes about 20-30 minutes and is relatively easy, but there are some hills and steps along the way, so it would be hard to use your stroller. Once at the peak, do be careful there is no barrier to the edge of the escarpment.
Webster Falls
Almost like a mini Niagara Falls, Webster falls is the largest on this list of waterfalls to visit with an infant. Usually touted as a 3 in one visit with Tews and Dundas peak, you can walk between Webster and Tews. The hike is 30-40 minutes one way, so we would recommend driving, especially if you are taking your little one. The falls are only a short distance from the parking area, making it super easy for a quick visit.
Webster falls are also located on a large conservation area with lots of green spaces to set up a picnic or just relax. Do be warned, Webster falls is one of the most popular in Hamilton and gets extremely crowded. We couldn’t even get close to the conservation area during the fall, as the parking lot and streets were full of cars.
Hilton Falls
Leaving Hamilton and heading to Milton, Ontario. Hilton Falls is a lesser-known falls, conveniently located across the 401 from Kelso Conservation area. Hilton Falls is about a 30-40 minute hike from the parking area, but the trail is wide and made with packed gravel, making it a great option to use your stroller. Once at the falls area, there’s a great little sitting area along with a campfire, with firewood provided.
There is no set viewing area for the falls, so be careful when going in for a closer look. The falls is also home to the ruins of three 19th century sawmills.
Where to stay near Hilton Falls?
Mills Falls
Located on the grounds of the Ancaster Mill, Mills falls is the easiest to access on this list. One of the oldest mills in Ontario, Ancaster mill has over 200 years of history. Being the 4th mill on the site, Ancaster Mill was renovated in the 1970s to a beautiful restaurant and event space. Set upon the Ancaster creek the Ancaster Mill offers many great views of the natural and man-made falls.
Where to stay near Mills Falls?
- Best Western Premier C Hotel by Carmen’s
- Courtyard by Marriott Hamilton
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Hamilton
Hogg’s Falls
One of the lesser-known falls, we discovered Hogg’s falls while searching for falls that we could swim in. Located in Grey County. The falls are only a 5-minute hike from the parking area, but the path is quite rugged with a steep incline, so ditch the stroller and sure to bring your baby carrier.
Once you’ve reached falls there is a rope attached to a tree that you can use to lower yourself to the bottom. Be very careful though, the rocks are slippery and ground uneven.
Where to stay near Hogg’s Falls?
Sherman Falls
Back to Hamilton for the last waterfall on this list. Similar to Tiffany Falls, Sherman falls has a well-maintained path leading to the bottom of these falls.
Do keep in mind, Sherman Falls is located on private property so please be respectful of the land, tread lightly and do not litter.
Where to stay near Sherman Falls?
DeCew Falls
A bonus waterfall. We couldn’t make a list of waterfalls to visit with an infant without mentioning our favourite discovery so far. Located in St.Catherines, DeCew actually consists of 2 falls, upper and lower, DeCew falls. The upper falls are located right by the parking lot, behind the Morningstar Mill, a beautifully restored flour mill that is still operational.
Looking for more family-friendly adventures?
- Top Things to do with your Toddler in Toronto
- Exploring Lakeshore Mississauga
- Exploring Limehouse Conservation Area
The lower falls are much more difficult to get to. You definitely will need to use your baby carrier to make the trek. Follow the trail right behind the Morningstar Mill all the way until it heads down into the ravine. Then you’ll make a left and double back along the riverbed until you reach the foot of the lower falls. The trek is quite difficult, which is why we’ve left it off the main list, but make the hike and you’ll be highly rewarded.
The reason DeCew is our favourite waterfall to visit with an infant so far is it is one of the waterfalls you can swim in and it is quite incredible. To get to the foot of the upper falls you can follow the path up lower falls or there is a rope to the left at the start of the path, that you can use to help you down. Both seemed quite treacherous, so we avoided them this time around, maybe when Celine gets older.