Ragged Falls Travel Guide

Ragged Falls, also known as Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls Provincial Park, is a natural gem nestled in the heart of the Algonquin Highlands. The park itself spans 382 hectares of land and water along the Oxtongue River. The highlight is undoubtedly the spectacular Ragged Falls, a large cascade waterfall with a vertical drop of approximately 25 meters over a horizontal distance of 200 meters. The falls are easily accessible via a short, less than 1 km trail from the parking lot.The Oxtongue River flows through an ancient glacial spillway, a remnant of the last ice age. This spillway once drained meltwaters from the Algonquin Highlands into a massive prehistoric lake, which eventually receded to form the Great Lakes. The area around Ragged Falls has a rich history, with logging operations dating back to the early settlements. In fact, Ragged Falls was even used as a log slide by Gilmour & Company Ltd. in 1983.Today, Ragged Falls offers a variety of activities for visitors. The short but rewarding hike to the falls provides several viewpoints, allowing you to admire the scenery from above, beside, and below the falls. The surrounding area is ideal for picnics, and the Oxtongue River is a popular spot for canoeing and kayaking. Birdwatchers will also appreciate the diverse species that inhabit the area. The falls are beautiful in every season, with rushing water in the spring, lush greenery in the summer, vibrant foliage in the fall, and stunning ice formations in the winter.