Horseshoe Falls

Horseshoe Falls is the largest of the three cascades that together form Niagara Falls, stretching in a curved arc across roughly 790 meters in width. The water drops over an edge about 50 meters high and plunges into a wide basin surrounded by dense mist and spray.

The basin formed roughly 12,000 years ago when the end of the last ice age released huge volumes of water from the Great Lakes, carving through the landscape. Over the centuries, erosion has slowly moved the waterfall upstream and shaped its current position.

The name refers to the curved shape of the water curtain, which resembles a horseshoe and stretches across the border between Canada and the United States. Visitors often experience the force of the water from the Canadian side, where viewing platforms offer a direct view of the plunging river.

Go in the early morning or late afternoon to find fewer crowds and better light for photographs, especially in summer. Wear waterproof clothing, as the spray from the gorge reaches even distant viewing points.

Most of the water is diverted at night through tunnels to generate electricity for the region, so the flow decreases noticeably after dark. This intervention has been practiced for decades and goes unnoticed by many visitors.

Location: Niagara Falls

Part of: Niagara River, Niagara Falls

GPS coordinates: 43.07725,-79.07506

Latest update: December 11, 2025 20:17