Scenic Views · Fishing · Ontario
Bala Falls
The falls where Lake Muskoka drains into the Moon River in the village of Bala, Ontario. Easy to see from the road and bridge, busy on summer weekends, and with a no-swimming zone below the north dam.
What visitors say
Bala Falls is where water from Lake Muskoka's Bala Bay pours over rock into the Moon River, right in the middle of the village. Visitors describe the roar of the water and the rock and trees around it, and several say the flow is most impressive in spring. The bridge gives one of the better angles.
It's an easy stop. The falls are close to the road with a few places to stand and take photos, and the village has shops and food within a short walk. One reviewer rated the fresh doughnuts as reason enough to stop on the way to Parry Sound.
Families like it as a place to show kids the force of moving water, and photographers come for the cascades. Anglers do fish the Moon River below the falls under Ontario's Zone 15 rules, and paddlers use Lake Muskoka and the Moon River from here.
The main thing to know is that the falls are controlled by dams and a small hydro plant, and the area just downstream of the north dam is a no-swimming zone. Stay outside the warning signs, buoys and booms. It gets crowded on summer weekends, so an early visit is easier.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 74 Google reviews. Conditions and rules change — check current park, access and fishing regulations before you go.