
Dufferin Islands
Niagara Falls, ON
Open year-round, no ticket required. Pay-and-display parking on site. Designated picnic area with hibachi-style charcoal barbecues.
A 1.7 km loop over footbridges linking small islands, steps from the Horseshoe Falls
Why go to Dufferin Islands
Dufferin Islands is a 10-acre Niagara Parks nature area at 6345 Dufferin Isle Road in Niagara Falls, close to the Horseshoe Falls, made up of small islands linked by footpaths and wooden footbridges. The main walking route is a 1.7-kilometre loop on paved and gravel paths, with a few steeper spots.
The islands grew in the early 1900s, when rock and soil from the Ontario Power Generating Station's tunnels built up the land, and ducks, geese and swans live there today. Entry is free and open all year, pay-and-display parking is on site, and the site is a designated picnic area with charcoal barbecues.
Did you know?
- Around 1820 natural gas leaking from the river above the Horseshoe Falls gave the area the name Burning Springs, a popular tourist attraction.source ↗
- In the early 1900s, rock and soil dug out for the Ontario Power Generating Station's tunnels helped build up and expand the islands.source ↗
- The area began forming about 50,000 years ago, when the melting Wisconsin Glacier left rock debris along the Niagara River.source ↗
In the press
How to get there
Nearest airports
- YTZ
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
127 km · just over 1.5 hours to Niagara Falls source ↗
- Porter
- Air Canada
Shuttles, ferries and seaplanes
- Air Canada's motorcoach from Toronto Pearson to Niagara District Airport and the Marriott on the Falls, three round trips a day.source ↗
Typical fares
- Air Canada · Vancouver to Toronto (YTO)Fares from $217 seen on Oct 31, 2026 · one-wayairline ↗
- Air Canada · Calgary to Toronto (YTO)Fares from $208 seen on Oct 31, 2026 · one-wayairline ↗
- WestJet · Vancouver to Toronto (YTO)Fares from $190 seen on Oct 31, 2026 · one-wayairline ↗
Fares change daily; check the airline.
Eat & drink nearby
Fat RabbitWhole-animal, Ontario · St. Catharines, ON17 km100 Best #48enRoute #8Website preview: fat-rabbit.ca
OddbirdLocal, bistro · St. Catharines, ON17 km100 Best #85MICHELIN RecommendedWebsite preview: oddbird.ca
Outdoors nearby
Niagara FallsNatural wonder · Niagara Falls, ON1.4 kmPhoto: Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK · CC BY 2.0


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