Find Beautiful Waterfalls This Summer with Peace of Mind from OnStar

 
June 21, 2022

Find Beautiful Waterfalls This Summer with Peace of Mind from OnStar

 
June 21, 2022

 

 

Canada has a wealth of scenic waterfalls for you and your family to explore this year, and both OnStar and the OnStar Guardian app help provide added confidence for adventure

Here’s a fun fact to share during your next dinnertime discussion or at trivia night: Canada has over 1,700 named waterfalls. So if you’re looking for an unexpected travel destination this summer, one of these amazing falls could make for a great day trip or stop on a longer journey. They’re majestic examples of nature’s beauty — and, not for nothing, offer up great photo options for your next social media post.

After strict lockdowns and restrictions on travel during the pandemic, many Canadians are especially eager to get out on the road and visit new places again. With a quarter of Canadians seeking out “off-the-beaten-track experiences and destinations” this year, these incredible cascades might be just the places to keep in mind. Couple that excitement with the added peace of mind that comes with having OnStar* in your vehicle, or the OnStar Guardian™ app* on your phone, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for your next family adventure.

(By the way: We’re assuming you’ve already heard of and maybe even visited the world-famous Niagara Falls, so enjoy these additional off-the-beaten-path suggestions for something new!)

Making a splash

You don’t need to venture too far to find impressive waterfalls. The 83-metre-tall Montmorency Falls, for instance, is only about 15 minutes away from Old Québec, Québec, for example. The picturesque Albion Falls is only just outside Hamilton, Ontario, too. Yet some of the most incredible falls require a more involved journey by car — and often a hike on foot to get the best views.

Bring the Guardian app on your hike

When you’re heading away from your vehicle on foot, it’s a good idea to bring along key OnStar safety services, right on your phone, by downloading the Guardian app.

One example that will take your breath away is Takakkaw Falls, located deep within Yoho National Park in British Columbia. It’s one of Canada’s highest waterfalls, with water plunging from a height of 254 metres. The access road to get to the Yoho Valley is typically open only from June through October (frequent avalanches keep it closed in winter), but for views like these, it’s worth making the trip.

Bringing the whole family?

Check out our tips for travelling with kids to make your next road trip just a little easier on adults and little ones alike.

Similarly remote is Helmcken Falls. The nation’s fourth-tallest waterfall, it’s located in Wells Gray Provincial Park in British Columbia. There’s easy viewing of this 141-metre marvel just a few minutes’ walk from the parking lot, or the more ambitious can follow hiking trails for different vantage points.

Back in Ontario, fans of natural beauty may want to check out Kakabeka Falls. Approximately half an hour west of Thunder Bay, the 40-metre-high waterfalls offer year-round viewing from a boardwalk, as well as the opportunity to see lake sturgeon spawning at the base of the falls. Plus, fossils dating from 1.6 million years ago are visible where the Kaministiquia River has cut into rocks. The park has more for visitors too: In the summer, enjoy walking and nature trails; wintertime visitors can look to groomed cross-country ski trails.

More to explore

Of course, Canadians can enjoy breathtaking views of waterfalls almost anywhere in the country, in every province. So no matter where you are, or how long a road trip you’re ready to take, there’s a chance you can fit one of these stunning cascades into your itinerary.

Red or blue?

Need a refresher of which button to push when you need assistance from OnStar? We’ve got a simple guide.

Along the way, it’s nice to know you’ve got OnStar on your side. If you experience any kind of emergency on the road — or if you see somebody else who needs assistance — you can simply push the red Emergency button* to request help for yourself or others. With that reassurance, you’ve got even more confidence to head out in search of stunning natural vistas.

 

British Columbia’s impressive collection of waterfalls also includes Shannon Falls. An hour north of Vancouver, it delights viewers with a series of cliffs, rising 335 metres. Easily accessible via trail, Shannon Falls is said to be the third-highest falls in the province.

In the Northwest Territories, you may want to put Virginia Falls on your itinerary. Deep inside the protected wilderness of Nahanni National Park, it’s not the easiest of these waterfalls to visit, but its dramatic location and natural beauty make it a must-see for those able to make the trek.

In Alberta, Banff National Park features abundant waterfalls for hikers and explorers to discover. One highlight is Johnston Canyon. Formed by glaciers carving into the rock, Johnston Canyon contains the Lower Falls and Upper Falls. The falls require moderate hikes on a trail, but reward visitors with stunning views. Small wonder, then, that Johnston Canyon is said to be one of the park’s most popular destinations.

Finally, in a remote part of Newfoundland’s Gros Morne National Park, there’s the stunning Pissing Mare Falls. Shooting out of a dramatic rock face high above Western Brook Pond, the tiered falls boast a total height of 343 metres and an unbroken drop of 250 metres. Though there are other waterfalls in Gros Morne, Pissing Mare is undoubtedly one of the best known.

Added confidence for travel

Wherever your adventures take you, it’s reassuring to bring OnStar with you. If you’re ever in a crash, Automatic Crash Response* can connect you with an Emergency Advisor,* who can direct assistance to your location. Journey interrupted by a flat tire, dead battery or another issue requiring a tow? Simply push the blue OnStar button or call us at 1.888.4ONSTAR (1.888.466.7827) to request Roadside Assistance,* and an Advisor can request help be sent your location.

Finally, the Guardian app helps provide added reassurance to your friends and family as you travel. You can add up to seven loved ones* to your account, so everyone can view and share locations* in the app. It’s just one more way to make sure those you care about are safe and secure. Just remember, in some of these remote spaces cell coverage may be spotty so you’ll want to be sure you have a signal if you want to use the app.

So, what are you waiting for? Pack up the car, set your navigation app for one of these epic waterfalls and have an amazing adventure with the added confidence that OnStar is on your side.

Download OnStar Guardian now

The ultimate connected vehicle

Turns your car into a connected marvel, with available Amazon Alexa, in-vehicle apps, real-time navigation and more.

Tips and tricks for taking your vacation on the road

If your summer vacation plans include a camping road trip, these tips from OnStar and expert camper Kina Pickett can help.
 

How OnStar can save your day

Here are six ways OnStar and our specially trained Advisors can help when emergencies occur, whether you’re in or out of any vehicle.

The ultimate connected vehicle

Turns your car into a connected marvel, with available Amazon Alexa, in-vehicle apps, real-time navigation and more.

Tips and tricks for taking your vacation on the road

If your summer vacation plans include a camping road trip, these tips from OnStar and expert camper Kina Pickett can help.
 

How OnStar can save your day

Here are six ways OnStar and our specially trained Advisors can help when emergencies occur, whether you’re in or out of any vehicle.