Visit Crescent Falls Alberta 2026
Join me in this 2026 guide to beautiful Crescent Falls, Alberta with location map and insights into the area, along with the story behind my award-winning photograph of a lifetime under the light of a full moon.
Crescent Falls Location in Alberta
Crescent Falls is a spectacular double waterfall, located on the Bighorn River in west-central Alberta, Canada. Skirting the eastern perimeter of the Canadian Rockies, it is easily accessible via a six kilometre grid road that runs west off the David Thompson Highway (Highway 11) between Nordegg and Saskatchewan Crossing.
With a total drop of 27 metres or 89 feet, each tier of the falls are roughly of equal height at approximately 45 feet each. Crescent Falls is a 'perennial' waterfall (which flows year round) and will render different experiences depending on when you visit.
The spring months of May and June often reveal the heaviest water flow when the snowpack from the mountains begins to melt. During the summer and fall, the volume of water will generally dissipate as the rivers run lower, and while the falls freeze over in winter, a slow flow of water continues beneath the ice, although it may not be entirely visible.
The Crescent Falls Provincial Recreation area surrounding the falls include the Bighorn River Canyon hiking trail with a distant panoramic view of the falls and surrounding mountains, along with a small campground within walking distance. For a day trip or an overnight stay, the falls are a worthy destination to experience nature at its finest.
After being closed for the 2023 season for major upgrades to the park, it re-opened in July 2024 with a great deal of improvement including:
- Enlarging the existing parking area
- Developing a new parking area for large RV vehicles
- Upgrading the access roads down to the lower area
- Installing a new pedestrian trail to the lower day use area
- Installing a new vehicle crossing from the day use to the camping site
- Upgrading and expanding the day use areas
- Increasing signage
- Installing additional toilets and bear-proof garbage bins
- Developing a new stair structure to access the lower falls areas with a viewing platform
Planning an Original Image of Crescent Falls
Capturing nature at its finest is always a challenge for a fine art landscape photographer, as a scene’s appearance can change dramatically with the season, weather, or time of day. With many iconic locations photographed countless times, creating something original requires vision, research, and planning.
Before photographing a location, I use tools like Google Earth and specialized software that track the sun and moon’s positions anywhere on Earth. This helps determine when a subject—such as Crescent Falls—might look its best, whether in soft morning light, vivid sunset hues, or under a moonlit sky.
Since the falls are viewed in a westerly direction, sunset offered the greatest potential for drama. Yet I was intrigued by the possibility of capturing the falls beneath a full moon, a perspective I hadn’t seen before. Moon-tracking data revealed only a few days each year when this concept could work—during late summer or early autumn when the nights grow darker.
I planned the trip around a full moon, hoping to capture either a glowing sunset or a moonlit composition, with no guarantees. The most unpredictable variable, as always, was the weather—nature’s final word on whether the vision could be realized.
An Early Setback
After an early start and an eight-hour drive, I arrived at the falls mid-afternoon—just in time to scout the area for compositions. The weather was gloomy with light rain, but in the mountains, conditions can change quickly, so I stayed optimistic.
When the clouds eventually cleared, the sky became completely bare, eliminating any chance of a dramatic sunset. I spent several hours experimenting with different angles and focal lengths before settling below the upper cascade, level with the lower tier. Shooting horizontally didn’t do the scene justice, so I switched to a vertical composition that emphasized the water and sky.
Although the hoped-for sunset didn’t materialize, I had planned the trip around a full moon. With clear skies after dark, there was still a chance for the image I envisioned—I just had to wait and see if the night would cooperate.
Award-Winning Crescent Falls Photograph
That night remains unforgettable—exhilarating yet unnerving. Alone in the dark canyon long after the last visitors had left, the roar of the falls became overwhelming, and imagination filled the shadows with mountain predators. My headlamp swept the cliffs more than once, bear spray close at hand, as I waited to see if the moon would pass where I’d predicted.
Hours passed before a glow appeared behind the canyon wall. Then, to my amazement, the full moon emerged—radiant and perfectly timed. I shot rapidly as it drifted toward the upper cascade, praying no clouds would spoil the view.
When it finally hovered above the falls, its brilliance illuminated the canyon and reflected off the rushing water. The camera captured every detail with stunning clarity—the image I had envisioned, and one I’ll never forget.
Accolades
Today, my fine art photograph 'Crescent Falls' remains a personal favourite, and has proudly achieved some recognition in Canada and abroad. In 2020, it was awarded first prize in the professional Night Photography category at the Fine Art Photography Awards in London, England.
That same summer, it was also chosen as the cover image for the June/July issue of Reader's Digest 'Our Canada' magazine. Additionally, it was also featured in the digital edition of Outdoor Photographer magazine in 2018 as a 'rivers and waterfalls' assignment winner.
It should be noted that unfortunately, in the time since this photograph was captured, the middle tier location where the image was taken has changed dramatically with the new viewing platform. If you are a photographer, this exact composition is no longer possible.
However, Crescent Falls can still be enjoyed safely from the public viewing platform above.
Crescent Falls Fine Art Prints
I am proud to offer Limited Edition fine art prints of 'Crescent Falls', available in three different mediums or 'Print Styles' such as Lumachrome® TruLife® acrylic, ChromaLuxe® HD waterproof metal prints, and Fujicolor® Pearl paper prints in sizes ranging from 18" to 90" tall.
Additionally, Lumachrome® TruLife® acrylic prints are available with a wide range of custom external wood frames, called Charity Editions. These stunning handmade wood frames are sourced from Italian makers Roma® and Omega®, offering endless possibilities to customize the print while blending it into your décor which adds value, depth, and permanence to the art.
*EDIT* November, 2025. On one of my return visits to the falls in the years after my original image, I captured an amazing aurora event in a number of photographs that have been sitting patiently in my archives, waiting for advancements in digital technology to develop. With the recent advent of state-of-the-art processing software, I am finally able to bring some of these images to life with the crystal-clear print quality that they deserve.
The first is 'Crescent Falls Aurora', below, now available.
I hope that you enjoyed this overview of Crescent Falls, and I welcome you to reach out to me at any time if you are interested in a Limited Edition fine art photography print for your home.
The world class quality of these amazing art pieces are sure to be a valuable addition to your décor, with the power to transform any room and display as a stunning showpiece to be enjoyed by your family and guests alike.
