Guidebook
Lonely Planet Canada
Lonely Planet · 2024
Country-wide guide for combining Canadian falls, from Quebec and Ontario to the Rockies and the North.
Canada · Alberta
Crescent Falls
Crescent Falls is a series of two waterfalls located on the Bighorn River in the Bighorn River Canyon in west-central Alberta, Canada. They were originally called the Bighorn Falls, after the river they are located on.
Essentials guide
Facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia, compiled September 2026; season and access are our estimate, not a visit report. How we build these pages.
Crescent Falls drops 27 metres (89 ft) on the Bighorn River. It is a tiered-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Alberta, Canada. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).
As a tiered waterfall, a series of distinct drops, one below the other.
What you can do here
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Snowmelt-driven: April to June is the big-water window, and some falls almost disappear by late summer.
Getting there
- Base town Alberta, Canada
- Country Canada
- Region Alberta, Northern North America, North America
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Crescent Falls
Canada
Height27 mWidth—
Most similar
Linville Falls
United States
Height27 mWidth—
Also a tiered waterfall, of similar height and in the United States
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
27 m
27 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
Crescent FallsLinville FallsVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 36× taller than Crescent Falls. Victoria Falls is 4.0× taller. We don't have a reliable crest width for Crescent Falls yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Books worth packing
On the map
52.3872, -116.354
Quick answers
Where is Crescent Falls?
Crescent Falls is in Canada (Alberta). The nearest base is Alberta, Canada. Its coordinates are 52.3872, -116.3540.
How tall is Crescent Falls?
Crescent Falls drops 27 metres (89 feet). It is a tiered-type waterfall on the Bighorn River.
When is the best time to visit Crescent Falls?
Peak flow is April to June. Snowmelt-driven: April to June is the big-water window, and some falls almost disappear by late summer.
What can you do at Crescent Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: swimming, hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
Can you swim at Crescent Falls?
Yes — swimming is a normal part of a visit to Crescent Falls, in the pools away from the falling water. Only swim where it is permitted on the day, stay clear of the base of the falls where currents recirculate, and skip it after heavy rain.
How do you get to Crescent Falls?
The usual base is Alberta, Canada. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
Nearby
Closest to Crescent Falls
Tangle Falls
Canada · 48 m · 60 km away
Tangle Falls is a multi-tiered waterfall located in Jasper National Park along Icefields Parkway. It has 4…
Bow Glacier Falls
Canada · 80 km away
Bow Glacier Falls is located near Banff, AB. The falls originates from meltwater from the Bow Glacier and…
Sunwapta Falls
Canada · 600 m · 90 km away
Sunwapta Falls is a pair of waterfalls of the Sunwapta River in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. The…
UNESCO Takakkaw Falls
Canada · 373 m · 100 km away
One of Canada's tallest waterfalls