Do I need a passport to go to niagra falls on the canada side?

In some cases a driver's license and birth certificate are sufficient. Some ooficers may ask for the passport, if you have a good reason why u don't have it on you they will usually let u in.

The above is correct, if your from the US. If your from anywhere else, yes you need one.

And a passport is not required at a land crossing at all, they shouldn't even ask.