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Takakkaw is a Cree Indian word that means “it is magnificent” or “it is wonderful” and when you see beautiful Takakkaw Falls in British Columbia you know exactly what the Cree meant.

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Takakkaw Falls is located in Yoho National Park in southwestern British Columbia right next to the Alberta border and Banff National Park.

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The listed height for Takakkaw Falls is some 1,260 feet and that includes the upper and lower parts you cannot see from most photos of the falls. The height of the free fall part of Takakkaw is an impressive 830 feet. Various places list Takakkaw Falls as the second or third highest waterfall in Canada. It is certainly arguable that it is the most beautiful waterfall in Canada and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world.

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Takakkaw Falls is a glacially fed waterfall with the Daly Glacier of the Wapituk Icefield (at top of picture below) supplying most of the water so Takakkaw Falls almost always has a steady flow.

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If you have ever seen the movie Last of the Dogmen starring Tom Berenger and Barbara Hershey the waterfall featured in the film is Takakkaw Falls even though the film is about a band of Indians who have remained hidden from the outside world in Montana.

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It’s not a great movie in my opinion but the views of the falls in the movie are worth seeing.

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Takakkaw Falls is a popular tourist destination not only because of its great beauty but also because it is so easy to get to. The falls is located at the end of Takakkaw Falls Road which is right off Route 1 the Trans-Canada Highway as it travels through Yoho National Park. The turn-off for Takakkaw Falls Road is about 2 miles north of Field and roughly 8 miles south of the Alberta-British Columbia border. Once on the Takakkaw Falls Road it’s just under 9 miles to the falls but if you have an RV you are out of luck as the road has two hairpin turns not recommended for RV’s or trailers. Every time I’m in Banff National Park I always make the short drive down to Yoho to see the magnificent scenic wonder that is Takakkaw Falls.

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More beautiful British Columbia Waterfalls:

Keyhole Falls

Helmcken Falls

Most Beautiful Waterfalls of British Columbia