Waterfall Record

This is a portion of a waterfall with a rainbow.

The Waterfall Record

Shannon Falls, British Columbia

Shannon Falls is an 1105 foot / 335 meter tall waterfall that can be viewed easily from the road. You can also hear the roar as the falls plunge that distance.
Shannon Falls in August 2010
Shannon Falls is an 1105 foot / 335 meter tall waterfall that can be viewed easily from the road. You can also hear the roar as the falls plunge that distance.
Shannon Falls in June 2023

Quick Facts

Accessibility: 10/10 (easy)
Height: 1105′ / 335 m
Length of Hike: 0.4 miles / 0.6 km round-trip (to viewpoint)

The Record

Shannon Falls is a perfect example of how deceiving waterfalls can be. Looking at pictures before visiting, it’s easy to underestimate its scale. And yet, Shannon Falls is actually one of the tallest waterfalls in British Columbia, cascading a staggering 1,100+ feet down a massive granite cliff. It is a wildly impressive waterfall, and one of its best features is how accessible it is. You can see the falls from many different viewpoints without having to do a strenuous hike, and the trails around the park are generally well-maintained and accessible for most visitors.

Part of what makes the falls seem shorter in photographs is its complex, multi-tiered structure. It’s incredibly difficult to capture the entire waterfall in a single frame. This is what likely makes it seem less imposing than it is; the lower portion of the falls is often completely lost from view in wider shots. To get a better view of the lower cascades, you have to sacrifice your view of the upper sections. It’s only when you are standing near its base, feeling the mist and hearing the roar, that you begin to realize just how small you are in comparison to this giant.

The park features a number of paths that form what seems like a loop, leading you through the forest, away from the falls, and then back around to the base. The area at the base of the falls is open and allows for some exploring over the large boulders. It’s a spectacular place to visit. During one of my visits, a wedding photography session was taking place, and I can’t deny that it was a stunning and memorable backdrop for such an occasion.

Directions

  1. I want to say that this is a pretty hard waterfall to miss, though you might only be able to see it from BC-99 at certain angles. That doesn’t change the fact that it is found right off of BC-99, approximately 58 km from Vancouver. If you’re headed to Whistler, you’ll be passing by! Heading north, the parking area for the falls will be on the right. There is an entrance fee at certain locations, but there are multiple parking areas.

Where in the World is Shannon Falls?

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