10 of the United States’ most exquisite waterfalls
The beauty of waterfalls should always be on your list of reasons to visit new places.
Whether they are small and wide, towering and spectacular, or a group of falls combined into a single vista, waterfalls in america are similar to seeing rivers flow vertically. They serve as excellent reminders that our world produces its own beauty, at which we are only able to gaze in awe.
There are innumerable waterfalls to awe at around the United States, each with a seasonal variation in its natural flow rate. While some are easily visible from trails, bridges, and roads, others are hidden away in state parks or mountain ranges. But because they provide more oxygen, waterfalls of any size are sure to evoke moments of wonder and even euphoric bursts.
See these ten really beautiful US waterfalls that are well worth the journey.
Niagara Falls, New York
167 feet high
The quickest route from Buffalo to the falls is thirty minutes.
The splendor of Niagara Falls, the biggest waterfall in North America, is the result of not just one but three waterfalls: Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. Regardless of your point of view, they are magnificent and span the Niagara River, which forms the border between the US and Canada.
It’s simple to see all three of Niagara Falls’ portions from the street-level promenade on the Canadian side, and you may take an elevator to the Journey Behind the Falls. Get to the Observation Tower, take a Maid of the Mist boat excursion to the base of Horseshoe Falls, or get up close and muddy by walking down the Cave of the Winds descending stairway on the American side.
Expert advice: Although sandals and a plastic poncho are included with tour tickets, it’s a good idea to pack a waterproof bag.
- Snoqualmie Falls, Washington;
482 feet in elevation
The quickest route from Seattle to the falls is forty minutes.
While some could contend that Washington State’s finest waterfall is the powerful Palouse Falls, Snoqualmie’s Cascade-Mountain setting still wins out. A great waterfall is so conveniently accessible from a large city, and Snoqualmie Falls is definitely worth the half-day trip. It may also be known to you from its well-known role in the television series Twin Peaks.
Drive up through picturesque villages and forests, then walk the accessible trail to the highest observation deck, which offers views of the approximately 50-story-tall falls. There’s an on-site gift shop with regional goods and crafts, picnic tables outside, and a beautiful restaurant called Salish Lodge & Spa nearby.
Expert advice: Wear sturdy footwear as you travel less than a mile on a steep nature trail to the lower observation area of the falls.
- Multnomah Falls, Oregon
620 feet in height
30 minutes east of Portland is the quickest route to reach the falls.
Justifiably, the tallest waterfall in Oregon is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state. Multnomah Falls is a narrow, two-tiered waterfall that has an accessible viewing bridge in the center. From the road below, you can even see the falls as they pass. Even better, it’s open year-round thanks to rain from Larch Mountains and snowmelt, and it’s only a short drive from Portland’s downtown. Multnomah Falls, which is situated on the Columbia River Gorge, is a popular rest stop for hikers who want to ascend the falls’ 700 feet. It also has a nationally registered historic lodge with public amenities.
Pro tip: Try to go early on a weekday to avoid the weekend and afternoon crowds.
- Shoshone Falls, Idaho
212 feet in height
The quickest route to the falls is from Magic Valley Regional Airport in Twin Falls, which takes 25 minutes, and from Boise, which takes 2 hours.
Shoshone Falls, proudly stout at 900 feet wide, is frequently referred to as the “Niagara Falls of the West.” However, Shoshone’s tiers and angular cliff face make it much more captivating in certain respects, especially during the spring’s peak flow. Enjoy the greatest views of Shoshone Falls from the overlook as it plunges into the Snake River. You can also rent a kayak and paddle back to Centennial Waterfront Park, which is close, for a lower viewpoint of the falls.
Expert advice: Stay away from Shoshone when the flow seems almost dry in the early fall.
- Yosemite Falls, California
2425 feet high
Traveling to the falls in 2.5 hours from Fresno and 3.5 hours from Sacramento is the quickest route.
One of the world’s tallest waterfalls is among the attractions that bring millions of tourists to Yosemite National Park each year. One of the twenty-five waterfalls in the park, the majestic Yosemite Falls is made up of the Upper Falls, Middle Cascades, and Lower Falls. The Lower Falls perspective is a straightforward one-mile paved walk away, but climbing 7.2 miles up 2700 feet to see the Upper Falls from above presents a more formidable effort.
Expert advice: Bring layers of clothes because the temperature in this area might change during the day.
- Grand Falls, Arizona
185-foot-high falls
The quickest route from Flagstaff to the falls takes less than an hour.
Grand Falls is a particularly fascinating natural attraction since it is situated in a desert and is taller than Niagara Falls. Travel there from Flagstaff, located on Navajo Nation land east of the Grand Canyon. You can enter the area by car on the gravel road without a permit.
Grand Falls, often known as “Chocolate Falls” because of its murky cascade, has several tiers and strong flows in the early spring. If you visit in any other month of the year, you run the chance of seeing its striking cliffs rather than the thunderous cascades.
Expert advice: Plan your trip ahead of time because map programs on smartphones can be misleading.
- Bridal Veil Falls, Colorado
365 feet in height
15 minutes east of Telluride is the quickest route to reach the falls.
Falling freely One of Colorado’s biggest and most well-known waterfalls is Bridal Veil Falls. A short drive from Telluride, the roughly four-mile round-trip trail leads to an elevation gain of approximately 1000 feet, drawing hundreds of hikers each day. Part of the reason the magnificent two-tiered waterfall is included on the National Register of Historic Places is the 1907 hydroelectric power plant, whose sturdy construction rests at the edge of the cliff.
Expert advice: Go for a hike in the mornings of workdays, and remember to clean up after your dog.
- Wailua Falls, Hawaii
173 feet in height
The quickest route from Lihue Airport to the falls is fifteen minutes.
One of Hawaii’s most gorgeous vistas, Wailua Falls, is tucked away in a little, lush canyon. Its two cascading falls may readily be seen from the main parking lot and combine into a single, large waterfall following heavy downpours. There’s a steep, muddy route from the parking lot that offers a bottom-up view, plus you can swim in the falls’ pool.
Take a 20-minute ride up to ʻOpaekaʼa Falls inside Wailua River State Park to double your Kauai waterfall viewing experience. You can quickly get to Wailua from Kauaʻi’s Lihue Airport.
Expert advice: For the best chance of seeing rainbows against the mist, visit early in the day.
- Tahquamenon Falls, Michigan
48-foot-high falls
Traveling 1.5 hours northwest of Chippewa County International Airport is the quickest route to reach the falls.
Featuring over 46,000 acres, Tahquamenon Falls State Park is the largest state park in Michigan. The main attraction is, of course, the falls, which span 200 feet and have a spring waterfall runoff volume in the Eastern US that is second only to Niagara Falls (50,000 gallons per second). Tahquamenon Falls gets its moniker, Root Beer Falls, from the tannins found in the hemlock and cedar swamps upriver, which give the falls a rusty brown tint.
Expert advice: Visit during the fall for the cascade’s picture-perfect backdrop of falling leaves.
- Dry Falls, North Carolina
65-foot-high waterfall
The quickest route from Greenville, South Carolina, to the falls is two hours.
Dry Falls, which is a portion of a bigger waterfall flow along the Cullasaja River, is also known as Upper Cullasaja Falls. It is located in southwest North Carolina. The name comes from the amazing spectacle that cascades over a precipitous bluff, allowing guests to stroll behind the falls (along a guarded route) while remaining mostly dry. In addition to being located along the picturesque Mountain Waters Scenic Byway through the Nantahala National Forest, Dry Falls boasts excellent views from numerous accessible perspectives.
Expert advice: While other viewing spots remain open, Dry Falls’ behind-the-falls walkway closes and becomes frozen throughout the winter.