Outdoor Recreation in Niagara Falls
Explore the great outdoors in Ontario's favourite getaway destination to take in the fresh air and breathtaking landscapes.
Be captivated by the world wonder of Niagara Falls with its wide open park spaces and outdoor attractions. Whether you're looking for calm and serene or wild and adventurous, we have it all! You may even discover new experiences you didn't know were available in Niagara Falls to add to your bucket list, including white water rapids and one of the world’s most biodiverse places.
Hiking & Cycling
From a leisurely stroll through nature (on marked trails) to 300km of cycling routes, Niagara Falls offers some of the best hiking and cycling in Canada with picturesque landscapes at every turn.
Did you know that the Niagara River corridor is one of the world's most biodiverse places? It's categorized alongside the world-famous Yellowstone Park, Florida Everglades and Galápagos Islands. At the Niagara Glen, you can trek through the pristine Carolinian Forest, designated a Nature Reserve in 1992. Bouldering in Niagara Falls is also a popular outdoor recreational activity and a permit is required from Niagara Parks.
Learn more about hiking and cycling at the links below and start planning your trip to Niagara Falls.
Adventure
Adventure comes in many forms in Niagara Falls!
Just beyond the world-famous waterfalls, you'll encounter adrenaline-filled activities to make memories that will last a lifetime. From zipping 70km per hour into the mist on the WildPlay Zipline to the Falls to battling white water rapids along the Niagara River with Whirlpool Jet Boats (the only way to ride the rapids in Niagara Falls) and skydiving with views of both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, you'll never forget the experiences and scenic views.
Looking for the perfect fishing spot in Niagara Falls? Let the crew at Niagara Fishing Adventures help you nagivate the waters of the Niagara River and Lake Ontario with private boats.
For a more relaxing type of adventure, head to Horseplay Niagara for the best horseback riding tours in Ontario offering rides along the beach of Lake Erie.
Nature-Based Attractions
Niagara Falls is home to world-famous experiences focused on the sheer power of the Falls. The awe-inspiring vistas along the Niagara River corridor showcase the beauty and wonder of the nature and landscape of the area. At Journey Behind the Falls you'll feel the thunder of the mighty waterfall from a whole new perspective, where tunnels take you behind the falling sheet of water to the observation deck with unparalleled views from right beside the cascading waters.
A hidden gem in Niagara Falls is the Niagara Parks White Water Walk. This serene boardwalk is located deep within the Niagara Gorge with an impressive, up-close view of the powerful class 6 white water rapids. You'll be immersed in the soothing roar of North America's largest series of standing waves as you make your way down the self-guided boardwalk to take in the crashing waves and an excellent view of the 410 million-year-old rock layers.
Golf
Make Niagara Falls the destination of choice for your next golf getaway. Our championship courses challenge golfers of every skill level while celebrating the landscape and providing spectacular views. After a round of golf, savour the local food & drink and nighttime activities including the Falls Illumination.
For a more light-hearted game, head to the Dinosaur Adventure Golf on Clifton Hill to putt your way to victory among life-size dinosaurs and an erupting volcano. Great fun for the young and young-at-heart!
Parks & Gardens
Niagara Falls is a nature-lover's paradise with spectacular gardens and park spaces spanning for many kilometres along the scenic Niagara Parkway. Meticulously maintained by the team at Niagara Parks, you'll be inspired by the beauty of seasonal blooms. Walk the winding paths at the 99 acre Botanical Gardens, which boasts the largest rose garden in Canada, and regain your inner peace at Oakes Garden Theatre with a view of the Falls and the hidden Japanese-style garden tucked behind the park (across from the Sheraton Fallsview hotel).
Birding
Birdwatching, also known as birding, is one of the fastest growing hobbies in North America and Niagara Falls is a four-season destination for bird lovers, adventure travelers and ecotourists alike.
Did you know that the Niagara River corridor, stretching 56km (35 miles) from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, became the first site in North America to receive international recognition as a “Globally Significant Important Bird Area” by major conservation groups in Canada and the United States? Hundreds of bird species can be spotted in Niagara Falls throughout the year, and starting mid-November, the Niagara River comes alive with more than 100,000 gulls on migratory flights from as far north as Greenland and the Canadian Arctic to as far south as Florida.
Be fasciated by bird species from around the world at the Bird Kingdom, the world's largest indoor aviary. Open year-round, the aviary features exotic colourful birds flying freely in the multi-level rainforest, plus reptiles and nocturnal creatures.