Can You Go Behind Niagara Falls? What’s that like?

Will you be surprised to know, that the question of “Can you go behind Niagara Falls?”, is something that visitors to the Falls, have asked themselves for centuries? The answer of course, is a resounding yes! The very famous attraction of Journey Behind the Falls, makes it very much possible! 

Along with the Maid of the Mist (Hornblower Boat Cruise), the Journey Behind the Falls is one of the oldest Niagara Falls attractions there is! In the early 1800s, when a crude version of this tour began, the answer to “Can you go behind Niagara Falls?”, was not an easy yes.

The earlier versions of this tour were quite dangerous and life-threatening! Evolving from daring descents into the gorge to the current landscape of the tour- the Journey Behind the Falls, has come a long way!

Journey Behind the Falls offers adventurers the rare opportunity to venture into the heart of one of nature’s most spectacular displays. This iconic attraction at Niagara Falls, Canada, transforms the age-old question “Can you go behind Niagara Falls?” from mere curiosity into an unforgettable reality that will leave visitors breathless and exhilarated.

A Historical Tour

The safety that we associate and expect out of the Journey Behind the Falls, has only been in existence since the early 1800s. But looking into the history, we can see just how dangerous it was to go behind the Falls through the treacherous paths!

 Visitors could get close to the base of the Falls, only by climbing down the steep bank, or over huge boulders or down crude ladders created from the surrounding fallen trees. Until the War of 1812, the area directly surrounding the Falls had no identifiable infrastructure.

The first enclosed staircases were built in 1818 and a spiral staircase was constructed in 1832 for visitors. The attraction at that time, was called the “Sheet of Falling Water”. After a period of business rivalry between two businessmen who monopolized the ladders and controlled the prices and several attacks on each staircases… the Niagara Parks Commission was created to maintain the area around the Falls. 

Journey Behind the Falls

The Niagara Parks Commission and the Journey Behind the Falls, made the dream of getting insanely close to the Falls, a real possibility! Yet, when people wonder: Can you go behind Niagara Falls, even today the idea seems somewhat incredible and untrue!

This remarkable attraction allows visitors to descend 125 feet through bedrock via elevator, emerging into tunnels that lead directly behind the Horseshoe Falls. The most powerful of the 3 Niagara Falls, this is the ultimate behind-the-scene experience!

The anticipation of seeing Niagara Falls, from this vantage point, builds up with every descending feet of the elevator! And soon.. the question of ” Can you go behind Niagara Falls?” transform from just a mere question, into a reality!

The Beginning

The tour begins at the famous Table Rock Welcome Centre, on the Canadian side. The anticipation of what lies behind the veil of water, the opportunity to view it so intimately creates a electric atmosphere that’s palpable amidst all the visitors! This is where the question of can you go behind Niagara Falls, is coming close to turning into a reality!

The elevator ride down through the bedrock, is an experience in itself! Visitors often report being awestruck by the experience of going through an ancient bedrock about a millions of years old. Also, there is constant awareness of the countless tons of water plummeting over their heads, every second!

The geological journey downwards, serves as a perfect prelude to the main event of arriving at the viewing behind the Falls. The intense atmosphere builds up a nice suspense for what awaits at the bottom!

The Tunnel Experience

Emerging from the elevator, visitors find themselves in a network of tunnels carved directly through the bedrock behind the falls. Mind you… we are calling them tunnels because we are mimicking what they are popularly called; but, the tunnels are not just that! They are portal’s to one of nature’s most spectacular displays!

The question of can you go behind Niagara Falls, gets beautifully answered as guests begin walking through these dimly lit tunnels, hearing the thunderous roar getting louder with each step!

The tunnels allow for thousands of visitors annually, to experience this journey to the back of the Falls. They themselves are quite a marvel of engineering themselves!

Their rock walls glisten with moisture, and the sound of the Falls creates an almost other-worldly atmosphere! Every step deeper into these passages brings visitors closer to answering the question of “Can you go behind Niagara Falls?”, in the most thrilling way possible.

The roar of the water becomes quite deafening! The mist grows thicker and the anticipation building in the atmosphere, is almost to an unbearable level! Visitor are fully aware at this point that the spectacle awaits for them to see! They realize that the question can you go behind Niagara Falls, is about to be answered! And the answer itself…is nothing short of breathtaking!

The Observation Decks

At the Journey Behind the Falls, there are two observation decks that provide the ultiate answer to our original question: “Can you go behind Niagara Falls?” Talk about getting a completely different view and a whole new perspective to seeing the Horseshoe Falls!

The first observation deck is know at the Great Falls Sheet. It positions visitors directly behind the cascading sheet of water! Standing here, travelers find themselves separated from 681,750 gallons of water per second by just a few feet of space. The experience is quite intense and also very overwhelming for all your senses! The roar of the water and all-encompassing mist from the water is truly humbling! It answer the question can you go behind Niagara Falls in ways that words simply cannot capture!

The second observation deck offers and equally thrilling experience! On this deck, visitors can see the water falling past them. So its like they are at once both behind and as well as beside the Falls! This position is an incredible spot to take some memorable pictures! Standing there, the question can you go behind Niagara Falls is answered with a sense of awe and wonder!

Seasonal Magic: Making Every Visit Unique

Journey Behind the Falls, is a unique attraction in its own way, because this one, is open all year round! During the colder months in Canada, there are many attractions at Niagara Falls that close down. Be it the Hornblower Boat Cruise or the Whirlpool Adventures Course or even Zipline to the Falls! The all year round availability of this attraction makes the experience you have different, with every season!

Spring & Summer

During summer months, the Falls are at their most powerful! The maximum water flow, typical of these months, creates an incredibly intense experience behind the cascading water.

The mist from Falls is also quite heavy during these months! The heat and the mist combine to create an almost tropical atmosphere in the observation areas.

The Autumn Experience

There is a drop in the temperature, a change in the mist generated from the Falls. Also, the surroundings are a great explosion of colours! The biggest change is in the landscape surrounding the Falls which transforms it into a spectacular display of autumn colours!

The visitors can see the colours, all from the observation decks! They discover that the answer to can you go behind Niagara Falls, includes witness one of the nature’s most beautiful seasonal transitions!

Winter Transformations

Winter at Niagara Falls transforms the whole place into something truly other-worldly! The Falls never completely freeze, but the ice formations create spectacular displays! Both, the front and the back of the cascading water, are decorated with beautiful ice sculptures!

The observation deck is like a winter wonderland! During these months, can you go behind Niagara Falls is answered with a uniquely Canadian winter experience!

Spring’s Infusion

Spring brings an infusion of renewed energy to the Falls! The melting water increases the water flow creating some of most powerful displays of the year! It is quite majestic to witness! During the spring months, the answer to can you go behind Niagara Falls includes witnessing nature’s annual renewal and incredible power of seasonal water flow changes.

The Geological Phenomenon

Understanding the geological and hydrological forces at work makes the experience of going behind the falls even more impressive. When visitors ask can you go behind Niagara Falls, they’re also asking about how that might be possible?

The millions of years of bedrock, made of limestone, shale and sandstone, was created millions of years ago! The tunnels carved in the rock, allow for safe passage behind the Falls. Each layer, tells a story of ancient seas, climate changes and the gradual formation of this incredible landscape!

As we have mentioned before, there can be seasonal impacts on the flow of water and water management practices. During peak flow periods, up to 6 million cubic feet of water per minute flows over the Horseshoe Falls. Standing behind this incredible volume of water provides a visceral answer to the question of: “Can you go behind Niagara Falls?” The visitors feel directly connected with the raw power of nature!

The mist, is another fascinating aspect of the experience of going behind the Falls! The mist is created when water droplets are thrown into the air by the force of water hitting the rocks. So, you can see, how the mist formation also changes throughout the seasons! The mist can create almost a ethereal atmosphere! It makes the experience of answering can you go behind Niagara Falls feel like stepping into another world!

Practical Concerns

For those wondering, can you go behind Niagara Falls and what practical aspects are to be expected… lets take a look!

As an attraction that’s open all year round,  the Journey Behind the Falls is designed to be accessible and comfortable. The sense of adventure and excitement is also maintained throughout the tour experience! They also provide complimentary rain ponchos to all visitors, though getting wet is absolutely part of the experience adding through the thrill!

The tunnels are well-lit and maintained, with non-slip installed surfaces and handrails where necessary. This means that everyone can experience the answer to can you go behind Niagara Falls, without safety compromises! The observation decks, are big and spacious enough. The can accommodate large enough groups, while still providing intimate experience with the Falls!

If you are looking forward to photography and wondering can you behind Niagara Falls- then you are in for a treat! The lighting behind the Falls opens up incredible opportunities for unique shots! And the mist adds an ethereal quality to the photographs. However, remember to protect that precious and expensive camera equipment from the constant mist! More often than not, the experience is so overwhelming, that visitors simply choose to experience it!

The temperature behind the falls remains relatively constant throughout the year. Typically staying cooler than the outside temperature in summer and warmer in winter. This microclimate is created by the constant mist and the insulating effect of the rock tunnels! This adds another unique element to the answer of can you go behind Niagara Falls!

Planning the Perfect Visit

As mentioned before, this attraction is open all year round! So you can actually plan a trip there, any time and any season! But what are the factors that one should keep in mind, to enhance the experience of this natural wonder?

If you are looking for a more intimate experience, make sure you go early in the morning! Smaller crowds allow for longer contemplation, from behind the Falls!

During these quieter times, with question of can you go behind Niagara Falls, might be answered with a more personal and reflective experience. The kind that allows visitors to truly connect with the massive power surrounding them!

The busy times during peak season, provide a nice contrast! The energy and excitement of the fellow adventurers adds to the overall atmosphere. This is something that some of you might really enjoy! The shared sense of wonder as you discover the answer to the can you go behind Niagara Falls, creates a communal experience!

As we mentioned earlier, weather can play an important role in planning a visit! The experience is still remarkable, no matter what the season. But certainly, you have different experience of the answer to the question of can you go behind Niagara Falls!

Memories For A Lifetime

Journey Behind the Falls is enduringly popular, because it transforms the simple question can you go behind Niagara Falls, into a life-altering experience! The sensory memory of standing behind one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls – feeling the mist, hearing the thunderous roar, seeing the incredible volume of water cascading just feet away – creates an indelible impression that no photograph or video can capture.

Journey Behind the Falls is often described as a spiritual experience or a transformative one. The question of can you go behind Niagara Falls, opened them up to a deeper appreciation of nature’s power and beauty!

Is there any wonder then, that people have been going to this attraction, even without a proper infrastructure in place? Journey Behind the Falls attraction has truly changed the quality of experience that one can have at the Falls! It is truly much more than just an attraction!

The question, can you go behind Niagara Falls has a simple answer: Yes!

Are you ready to take in the phenomenal experience it offers?

Let us know, in the comments below!