Hotel Blog

Rich in history, the DeCew Falls/Morningstar Mills located in St Catharines, Ontario is home to not only one, but three waterfalls all part of the 12 Mile Creek system. Upper DeCew Falls, Lower DeCew Falls, and the man-made Tunnel Falls. 

Free parking is just off DeCew Rd where there is a quaint park with some picnic tables and a few benches that make it a perfect setting for an afternoon/early evening picnic. Immediately past the parking lot gates you'll find the Morningstar Mill and the old home of the Morningstar family. The mill and house is home to all of the original tools used during the active operating years. Now a museum, they offer free tours of the mill and house. If you have the chance, I recommend taking the tour. There's some interesting information to be learned. Decew Falls is where a portion of the Bruce Trail calls home and is adjacent to amazing Short Hills Provincial Park.  

Upper DeCew Falls can be observed from the top of the gorge next to Morningstar Mill, but if you're looking for a breathtaking view of the falls you'll want to hike down the gorge to view all three waterfalls. Making your way through what looks like someone’s backyard, you have two options. The longer and best way to go down and the shorter climb down using ropes or tree root systems. What I like to do is go down the longer way and then climb back up using the shorter way.  From Morningstar Mill, go past the gate and go straight. You'll come to a steep slope. That's where you'll begin your descent into the gorge. Once down, you'll notice a pool of water where some thrill seekers have hung rope from a tree and it is used to propel into the water on hot summer days. 

From there continue upstream. Following the way of the river, the trail is not clearly marked. You'll have to be very careful as this section can be extremely muddy and can become a hazard during times of heavy rain. However, following the river this way will lead you to the Lower DeCew Falls. This waterfall is a remote stunning 26 foot cascade and is the shorter of the three falls in the gorge. It's a little harder to get to, but you won't be disappointed.  

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Written by Guest Service Agent John

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