Photograph Alexandra Falls in the Northwest Territories

Alexandra Falls is one of two large waterfalls located within Twin Falls Gorge Territorial Park on the Hay River. The other waterfall in the park is Louise Falls. The waterfall plunges 105 feet over a limestone ridge and it is quite a sight to behold especially during the spring when it is in full flow.

At the entrance of the Alexandra Falls is a large RV friendly parking lot and a day use area. The Alexandra Falls day use area includes picnic tables, fire pits, grass lawns, firewood, viewing benches, a kitchen shelter and interpretive signs. Many of the information signs detail the cultures and traditions of the Dene First Nation people and the surrounding ecosystem. Traditional Dene lore says that the two falls are two spirits, Grandmother and Grandfather, who protect the area.

In the day use area is a trail head entrance leading to a 2.2 km (1.3 mile) boardwalk trail connecting Alexandra Falls to Louise Falls. The trail wanders through a boreal forest leading to a viewing platform with benches overlooking the Hay River Canyon and Alexandra Falls.

From the trail there is an access route leading down to the top of Alexandra Falls. The mist can make the rocks slippery so be careful when on the rocks by the waterfall. The top of the falls is flat rock with the Hay River plummeting loud fast into a deep gorge spitting up mist high into the air.

If you prefer to drive to Louise Falls, then after you walk to the first falls (Alexandra Falls) return to your vehicle and drive to the Louise Falls parking lot and walk from there to the waterfall.

Be careful when close to the edge of the waterfalls in the Twin Falls Gorge as they are both very powerful and large flowing falls and could be fatal if you fell into the river.

How to get to Alexandra Falls Day Use Area:

It is located 72 km (45 miles) after the NWT/Alberta border. From the Highway watch for signs pointing to the entrance of the Twin Falls Gorge Territorial Park and Alexandra Falls. Just up the highway another 3 km (1.8 miles) will be the Louise Falls parking area.