Nigel Falls | World Waterfall Database

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This waterfall has been surveyed, mapped and measured in person by the World Waterfall Database.

As the Icefields Parkway crosses the canyon of Nigel Creek, the vast majority of motorists are blissfully unaware that they are crossing right over one of the better waterfalls along the Parkway. Nigel Falls is a 109 foot cataract located almost directly below the steel arch bridge spanning the gorge below the Big Bend in the Icefields Parkway. The falls can’t be seen at all from the road – you have to park on one side of the bridge and walk out onto the deck to take in the view. Better views can, however, be had from just off the Old Wonder Trail, which follows the old highway and crosses the creek below the falls, providing access to its base.

HISTORY AND NAMES

Nigel Falls is the Official name of this waterfall

Our thoughts

Nigel Falls isn't quite as impressive Panther Falls, its upstream sibling, but it is among the most impressive waterfalls encountered between Jasper and Lake Louise and is well worth a visit at any time of year. The view from the bridge is dizzying and affords a good view of the falls but the best vantage requires hiking the old roadbed (which also happens to afford views of two more waterfalls).

Location and directions

Nigel Falls occurs beneath the bridge over Nigel Creek along the Icefields Parkway, located 14.5 kilometers south of the Columbia Icefields Center within Banff National Park. Parking for roadside views can be found on the south side of the bridge. To reach the base of the falls, hike the Old Wonder Trail for 1.5km from the small parking area at North Saskatchewan Gorge near Big Bend (about half of a kilometer north of the Nigel Creek bridge), then follow the creek upstream to the falls – stay on the left side of the creek to reach the falls, or the right side to climb the rim of the canyon. Note that Nigel Creek will be the third bridge for this approach, the first two belonging to the North Saskatchewan River.

View this location in Google Earth

Nigel Falls is shown in the center. The 10 closest waterfalls within a 8km radius are shown as well (if any). Click any icon or see the list below for more information.

Additional Nearby Waterfalls

Name of Waterfall	Distance
Panther Falls	0.53 mi / 0.85 km
Bridal Veil Falls	0.56 mi / 0.9 km
North Saskatchewan Falls	0.64 mi / 1.02 km
Old Wonder Falls	0.82 mi / 1.31 km
Stairstep Falls	0.93 mi / 1.49 km
Mistashu Falls	1.01 mi / 1.62 km
Unnamed Waterfall	1.05 mi / 1.68 km
Sideways Falls	1.12 mi / 1.79 km
Unnamed Waterfall	1.32 mi / 2.12 km
Unnamed Waterfall	1.34 mi / 2.14 km

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Photography tips

Photographers visiting the base of the falls will encounter heavy spray all through the summer and fall seasons, so ensure you have the necessary equipment to keep your lenses dry. Because of the narrow shape of the gorge, the falls will see uneven light more often than not. Best time to shoot is early in the afternoon.

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Nigel Falls Alberta, Canada