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How to Paddle to Moore Creek Falls from Madawaska, Ontario
Did you know that if you drive two and a half hours from Ottawa, you will end up in a tiny town called Madawaska?
Launch your kayak at the community park. Paddle downstream for thirty minutes, follow a creek into the forest, and completely trust some random girl on the internet.
You'll end up here.
Moore Creek Falls, my favourite waterfalls in Ontario
These are the Moore Creek Falls, my favourite waterfalls in Ontario.
Check out my popular reel on Instagram about these beautiful falls!
How I Found These Falls
We visited Madawaska on our way home from a cottage week on Lake of Bays in 2025. We'd actually launched from this exact spot before, but we went the other way, upstream on the river. I had no idea these waterfalls even existed at that point.
Upper Madawaska River, Madawaska
Shortly after that upstream paddle, I found a forum on waterfallsofontario.com listing some of the best waterfalls in Eastern Ontario, and there they were: Moore Creek Falls. I knew right away we had to go back and do this paddle properly. If you want to nerd out on all the details, that site has a ton of great info on the falls.
What's Actually in Madawaska
If you're planning a trip out this way, I'll be honest with you now, there isn't a whooole lot to do in the little town of Madawaska itself. Where it really shines is as a stop on the way to or from Algonquin Park, or on the drive between Ottawa and Muskoka.
That said, the town does have a few things going for it. Algonquin Bound Outfitters East Gate is right in town, close to the boat launch, so you can rent a kayak or canoe there if you don't want to bring your own.
Where to Eat
If you want a bite before or after your paddle, the Wilno Tavern Restaurant just up the road is a local legend. If you go, you HAVE to try the perogies!
The Lakeside Smoke House Restaurant at Spectacle Lake Lodge is another great choice, a little closer to the waterfalls.
And if you want a truly one-of-a-kind, world-class experience, head to Bartlett Lodge inside Algonquin Park on Cache Lake. They actually pick you up by boat and serve you five-star food right there. It's absolutely incredible, and it is my number one favourite dining experience in Ontario.
Bartlett Lodge, Cache Lake, Algonquin Park
Where to Stay
I usually prefer staying in the Huntsville area since there are tons of great Airbnbs and resorts to choose from. If you're after somewhere a little quieter, Spectacle Lake Lodge is a solid option, and if camping is more your thing, there's no shortage of great sites in Algonquin Park.
There are also a few small resorts and cottages right near the launch point in Madawaska, including the modern, newly renovated Algonquin's Edge Resort, All Star Resort, and Red Deer Log Cabins, which is the closest option to the falls themselves.
Now, Onto the Falls!
We launched from the public access point at Madawaska Community Park (J. R. Booth Memorial). From there, it's an easy 3.5 kilometre paddle downstream along the Madawaska River to reach the falls.
The launch point at J. R. Booth Memorial Park
Finding your way there
- Launch at Madawaska Community Park (J. R. Booth Memorial), a public access point right in town
- Paddle downstream on the Madawaska River for about 3.5km total
- At around the 2km mark, stick to the right and head under the bridge leading into Moore Creek
- The creek narrows more and more as you go, until it's quite tight, right before the most dramatic reveal of the falls around the final corner
The river gets narrower and narrower, and then you round a corner and get the most dramatic reveal of the falls. This is one of the coolest moments you'll experience in this adventure.
Just around the river bend!
What to Expect at the Falls
There wasn't a ton of water coming over the falls when we visited, since it was the end of August. But I've seen photos from early July, and wow, there was a serious amount of water coming over then!
The falls are so much larger than they seem in this photo!
More water means more rapids and more undertow, so please be really careful paddling close to the falls. We actually saw a couple of kayaks pulled up on shore with no people around anywhere. Water levels here change a lot depending on the season, so always check conditions and use your best judgment before getting close.
To the best of my knowledge, you can actually walk up to the top of the falls, and I've heard locals mention you can even slide down them. I don't condone either of those, honestly, since I'm not totally sure what's allowed and what isn't around there, or whether that land is private or Crown land. My advice is to stay in your kayak and skip getting out to explore on foot, just in case you end up trespassing without realizing it.
By land, reaching the falls means crossing private property. You'll need permission and to pay a modest parking fee at Red Deer Log Cabins to use their trailhead access.
This waterfall is stunning enough from the bottom that I don't think the view from the top would even compare.
I have heard that locals even slide down these falls at certain points of the year!
Why I Keep Coming Back
I really loved this paddling journey, and I love even more that it sits right between two of my favourite places in Ontario, Algonquin Park and Muskoka. This local spot makes an already great drive even better.
If you want to see what's worth exploring in the other direction along the river, check out our guide to paddling upstream on the Upper Madawaska River from this same launch point.
With love from the Valley,
Lana
