Is swimming allowed at Mackintosh Brook Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Mackintosh Brook Falls.

Nearby gauge (Cheticamp River) · 4.3 m³/s · Lower than usual

Mackintosh Brook Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Mackintosh Brook Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Mackintosh Brook Falls. Leashed dogs are allowed on park trails except the Skyline Trail, the supervised part of North Bay Beach and oTENTik units.

Nova Scotia • Cape Breton Highlands National Park • 11 m

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

Cape Breton Highlands National Park Of Canada National Park · Parks Canada Agency

Before you go

As of October 2026 Parks Canada lists the MacIntosh Brook trail as temporarily closed due to wildlife activity. Check the Cape Breton Highlands hiking page before you go.

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

1.8 km

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

35 m

About Mackintosh Brook Falls

MacIntosh Brook Falls is a 35-foot (10 m) waterfall at the end of the MacIntosh Brook trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, starting from the MacIntosh Brook campground and day use area on the Cabot Trail near Pleasant Bay. The easy 1.1-mile (1.7 km) return trail follows the brook through old-growth Acadian hardwood forest to the falls.

The Setting

Mackintosh Brook Falls sits at 79 metres within Cape Breton Highlands National Park, in the coastal lowlands of Nova Scotia. The falls drop 11 metres.

Height: 35 feet

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Aucoin Brook Fall (30 m) lies 17.9 kilometres to the southwest. Also nearby: Beulach Ban Falls (21 m, 10.3 km).

Aucoin Brook Fall Beulach Ban Falls

Trail & Hike Details

1.8 km distance 35 m climbed

The Approach

The easy 1.8-km out-and-back trail gains 35 metres of elevation on the way to the falls.

Trail Description

Parks Canada rates the MacIntosh Brook trail easy: a gentle, mostly level 1.7 km (1.1 mi) return walk beside the brook through mature hardwood forest, ending at the waterfall. Allow 30 to 45 minutes. Elevation ranges from about 30 to 65 m (100 to 215 ft), and the surface is uneven with exposed roots in places.

What to Expect

The falls drop 11 metres. Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Mackintosh Brook Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Leashed dogs are allowed on park trails except the Skyline Trail, the supervised part of North Bay Beach and oTENTik units.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🤑 Fee: $10.00

🏊 Is There Swimming at Mackintosh Brook Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

The trail is listed as open from mid-May to mid-October. Spring and early summer bring the strongest flow, and early fall brings hardwood color.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with Cape Breton Highlands National Park for current conditions.

Safety Information

Rocks and roots near the brook are slippery when wet. Do not climb on the falls. Coyotes live in the park; Parks Canada advises that if you meet one, do not run. Never approach or feed wildlife.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Low

These readings come from the Water Survey of Canada gauge on Cheticamp River, 23.2 km away, not on Mackintosh Brook Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

4.3 m³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

3.1 4.8 12.9 19.4

Based on 64 years of record

1.03 m

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

CHETICAMP RIVER ABOVE ROBERT BROOK

WSC 01FC002

23.2 km from waterfall

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the WSC gauge CHETICAMP RIVER ABOVE ROBERT BROOK (23 km away).

Moderate confidence

Low right now

4.4 m³/s

↓ Falling

Today

Moderate

4.7 m³/s

5/10

Tomorrow

Moderate

4.6 m³/s

5/10

Sat

Moderate

5.2 m³/s

5/10

Sun

Moderate

4.5 m³/s

6/10

Mon

Moderate

5.1 m³/s

5/10

Tue

Moderate

5.3 m³/s

5/10

Wed

Moderate

5.2 m³/s

5/10

Best window: Sun — moderate flow, partly cloudy (trip score 6/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early April to early June, peaking in May.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest WSC stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Baddeck hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Weather Forecast

Location & Access

Getting There

The trail starts at the MacIntosh Brook campground and day use area, 24150 Cabot Trail, inside Cape Breton Highlands National Park on the park's western side near Pleasant Bay. Park passes are sold at the Parks Canada visitor centres in Chéticamp and Ingonish.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Park at the MacIntosh Brook campground and day use area, where the trail begins.

Elevation

79 metres above sea level

Coordinates

46.807048° N, -60.759958° W

Land Management

Cape Breton Highlands National Park Of Canada National Park

Managed by Parks Canada Agency

Visitor Tips & Gear

Buy a Cape Breton Highlands National Park pass before hiking. Wear shoes with good grip for roots and wet rock near the brook. Check the Parks Canada hiking page for closures before you go, and respect closure signs.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

This easy 1.8 km hike is straightforward — comfortable trail shoes and plenty of water should do. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.

Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket

Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.

Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag

Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.

Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)

Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.

Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)

Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.

Osprey Daylite Daypack

Light, organized, and just the right size for a day hike — fits water, snacks, and layers.

OR Sombriolet Sun Hat

UPF 50+ sun protection with vents so your head doesn't cook on exposed trail sections.

Where to Stay

Hotels & Lodges Booking.com

Find hotels, lodges, and B&Bs near the trailhead

Cabins & Rentals VRBO

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby

Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses

RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

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Nearby Campground

Big Intervale Campground

11.4 km away

View campground

Additional Information

Nearby Attractions

Other Cape Breton Highlands National Park trails along the Cabot Trail, including Lone Shieling, and the community of Pleasant Bay.

Wildlife

Typical Cape Breton wildlife: white-tailed deer, moose (in some areas), black bear, small mammals and a variety of birds. Expect insects such as black flies and mosquitoes in warm months, and ticks in some areas.