Scenic Views · Fishing · Ontario
Chippewa Falls
Cascading falls on the Chippewa River right beside Highway 17 near Batchawana Bay, ON, with a big parking lot and washrooms. The path is short but rocky and rooty.
What visitors say
Chippewa Falls is a series of rocky drops on the Chippewa River where it passes under Highway 17, about 55 km north of Sault Ste. Marie. It's surrounded by pine and hardwood forest, and a plaque here marks the halfway point of the Trans-Canada Highway. A.Y. Jackson of the Group of Seven painted these falls, and visitors say the drive up along Lake Superior is worth it on its own.
It's an easy stop: a large lot with washrooms sits right off the highway, and a viewing area lets you see the falls without climbing. Reviewers who went further describe a short path into the bush that's rough with rocks and roots, and a moderate climb up the hill to the top of the falls.
People like to spread out on the warm rock in summer and dip their feet in the cold river. The Chippewa is also a spring steelhead river, with anglers wading the pools below the falls in early May; you'll need an Ontario licence, and it's worth checking the current regulations for seasonal rules on Lake Superior tributaries. Batchawana Bay's beaches and provincial park are a few minutes away.
Wear proper shoes if you plan to leave the viewing area, since the rocks and trail can be slick. Stay well back from the fast water near the drops.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 154 Google reviews. Conditions and rules change — check current park, access and fishing regulations before you go.