TOP 100 WATERFALLS IN THE UNITED STATES
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Page #1 (0-50) | Page #2 (51-100) | Page #3 (runner-ups)
CRABTREE FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
North Carolina |
Crabtree Meadows Recreation Area |
Short Walk |
these falls only received an "8" per a North Carolina waterfalls guidebook, but I think it holds much more promise than that; one of the best fan-type waterfalls in the Southeast; stunning under optimal conditions and will photograph well |
RAINBOW FALLS ('HIGH FALLS')
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
North Carolina |
Nantahala National Forest |
Hiking Trail |
rated a '10' per the North Carolina Waterfalls guidebook; 150-feet tall; one of many falls on Horsepasture River; trail access may be via Gorges State Park now |
WHITEWATER FALLS ('UPPER FALLS')
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
North Carolina |
Whitewater Falls Scenic Area |
Short Walk |
rated a '10' per the North Carolina Waterfalls guidebook; NC-SC state line; these 400ft falls are more impressive than the nearby lower falls, which are actually located in South Carolina |
BRANDYWINE FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Ohio |
Cuyahoga Valley National Park |
Short Walk |
probably the most famous falls in Ohio; 60-foot tall fan |
TURNER FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Oklahoma |
Turner Falls State Park |
Roadside / Short Walk |
one of the classic swimming holes of the U.S.A.; 77-foot tall segmented horsetail; shelter caves; extremely popular swimming hole, so arrive early in summer |
|
(photo credit: Rasheed Hooda) |
ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS
photos |
ELOWAH FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Oregon |
Columbia Gorge Natural Scenic Area |
Hiking Trail |
one of the tallest falls in Oregon at 289 feet tall; this is one of the most photogenic plunges in the USA |
LATOURELL FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Oregon |
Guy W. Talbot State Park |
Short Walk |
don't miss this absolute stunner in high water; this isn't far from Multnomah Falls, so if you are in the area definitely visit both; the falls drops off overhanging basalt cliff; 249-feet tall |
MULTNOMAH FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Oregon |
Columbia Gorge Natural Scenic Area |
Roadside / Hiking Trail |
one of the best and most famous falls in North America; 620ft two-drop scenic falls separated by attractive bridge; one of dozens of outstanding waterfalls in the area (it's best to stay 2-3 nights in the area to explore many of them) |
ONEONTA FALLS ('LOWER FALLS')
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Oregon |
Columbia Gorge Natural Scenic Area |
Hiking Trail / Bushwhack |
requires short bushwhack and a moderate swim to view this fantastic thin plunge; estimated 100-feet tall; other waterfalls above and below this one; go early or late in the day to avoid crowds |
PONYTAIL FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Oregon |
Columbia Gorge Natural Scenic Area |
Hiking Trail |
one of the easier waterfall hikes in the Columbia Gorge area; you can walk behind these falls; 75ft tall; located right above Horsetail Falls and east of Multnomah Falls |
PROXY FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Oregon |
Willamette National Forest |
Hiking Trail |
one of the most beautiful fan-type waterfalls in Oregon; photographed extensively; 200 feet tall |
PUNCHBOWL FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Oregon |
Columbia Gorge Natural Scenic Area |
Hiking Trail |
one the waterfall-infused Eagle Creek Trail, which is one of the best day hikes in the country; one of the most photographed falls in the US |
RAMONA FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Oregon |
Mt. Hood National Forest |
Hiking Trail |
beautiful 100-foot fan; photographers love to take slow-motion shots of portion of falls; one author says "the most beautiful fanning waterfall in Oregon" |
SALT CREEK FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Oregon |
Willamette National Forest |
Short Walk |
286ft plunge; beautiful forested setting; photographs exceptionally well |
SOUTH FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Oregon |
Silver Falls State Park |
Hiking Trail |
South Fall is one of just ten waterfalls on the "Trail of Ten Falls" within this waterfall-infused state parks; several waterfalls can be walked behind; with ten waterfalls, this is certainly one of the best waterfall day-hikes in the USA |
TOKETEE FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Oregon |
Umpqua National Forest |
Short Walk |
a two-tiered waterfall that flows over a gorgeous wall of columnar basalt |
TRIPLE FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Oregon |
Columbia Gorge Natural Scenic Area |
Hiking Trail |
triple-segment waterfall; 125ft tall; many other fantastic waterfalls nearby |
TUNNEL FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Oregon |
Columbia Gorge Natural Scenic Area |
Hiking Trail |
on the waterfall-blessed Eagle Creek Trail, which is one of the best day hikes in the country; trail goes behind waterfall through tunnel; 175-feet tall |
BUSHKILL FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Pennsylvania |
Bushkill Falls Park |
Short Walk / Hiking Trail |
at least seven waterfalls are in the immediate area; I'd say this is arguably the most beautiful falls in the state; the trailhead, with its various shops and eateries, is literally overflowing with tourists, but the falls speak for themselves |
DINGMAN'S FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Pennsylvania |
Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area |
Short Walk |
popular tiered waterfall at the end of a boardwalk trail (which also passes the neat and slender Silver Thread Falls); 130 feet tall; visitor center available at the large trailhead; it's tough to photograph this falls well due to the angle of its descent; don't miss nearby Raymondskill Falls |
RAYMONDSKILL FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Pennsylvania |
Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area |
Short Walk |
probably the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania at 165ft; several tiers of falls; ; don't miss nearby Dingman's Falls |
RICKETTS GLEN
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Pennsylvania |
Ricketts Glen State Park |
Hiking Trail |
there are over 20 waterfalls on a 7.2 mile loop in this famed state park; one of the most dense collections of waterfalls in the country; some consider this the best day hike in the state of Pennsylvania |
WHITEWATER FALLS ('LOWER FALLS')
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
South Carolina |
unknown |
Hiking Trail |
the 'most spectacular waterfall in the Southeast' per one source; located on the NC-SC state line; don't miss the upper falls as well which are located just over the border in North Carolina |
SPEARFISH FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
South Dakota |
Spearfish Canyon Foundation |
Hiking Trail |
this is the most impressive waterfall in the Black Hills area; it is on land currently owned by a private foundation that allows public access; 80-foot plunge; 3/4 mile gravel trail equals relatively easy access |
|
(photo credit: Christy Hibsch) |
ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS
photos |
BALD RIVER FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Tennessee |
Cherokee National Fores |
Roadside / Short Walk |
horsetail with height estimates ranging from 60-120ft |
BURGESS FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Tennessee |
Burgess Falls State Natural Area |
Hiking Trail |
a 1.5 mile hike visits four (4) waterfalls, the tallest of which, Burgess Falls, is 136ft-tall |
FALL CREEK FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Tennessee |
Fall Creek Falls State Park |
Short Walk / Hiking Trail |
the most famous waterfall in TN; a 256-foot tall plunge with overhanging cliff in a dramatic setting; about a million visitors each year; an optional trail leads to the base of falls |
OZONE FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Tennessee |
Ozone State Natural Area |
Short Walk |
100-foot plunge into cool gorge |
RUBY FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Tennessee |
privately owned |
Hiking Trail |
probably the best cave waterfall in the US; the 145ft drop can only be seen from within the cave itself; hundreds of thousands of visitors annually; entrance fee exists as property is privately owned; gift shop on site |
VIRGIN FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Tennessee |
Virgin Falls State Natural Area |
Hiking Trail |
several great waterfalls on one trail; Virgin Falls is probably the best falls here, and is 110 feet tall; several caves in the area |
BRIDAL VEIL FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Utah |
unknown |
Roadside / Short Walk |
probably the tallest waterfall in Utah at an estimated 600ft tall; Provo Canyon area; outstanding in high water; clearly visible from roadside just off US 189 (Provo Canyon Road) |
LOWER CALF CREEK FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Utah |
Grand Staircase-Escalante NM |
Hiking Trail |
this is the best waterfall in Utah and is perhaps the finest desert-oasis type waterfall in the southwest after Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls in Arizona; incredible desert-oasis setting; the lower falls is the highlight and it's a 126ft horsetail/plunge with a beautiful swimming hole at its base; there's a nice campground at the trailhead (but it's probably too hot in summer); 6.0 mile round-trip hike |
STEWART FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Utah |
Uinta National Forest |
Hiking Trail |
total drop estimated at 200ft; passes by several nice aspen groves |
THE CASCADES
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Virginia |
Jefferson National Forest |
Hiking Trail |
considered by many to be the finest waterfall in Virginia; 66ft tall; fantastic swimming hole in low/moderate water conditions; plunge falls turns into fan |
WHITEOAK CANYON
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Virginia |
Shenandoah National Park |
Hiking Trail |
series of six (6) major waterfalls with some of the most spectacular falls in the national park |
BIG CREEK FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Washington |
Gifford Pinchot National Forest |
Short Walk |
125-foot plunge; lush green moss surrounds falls |
CLEAR CREEK FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Washington |
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest |
Short Walk |
300-foot horsetail/fan |
COMET FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Washington |
Mt. Rainier National Park |
Hiking Trail |
320 feet tall; several other waterfalls along the way; one of the most popular day hikes near Mt. Rainier |
FALLS CREEK FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Washington |
Gifford Pinchot National Forest |
Hiking Trail |
250-foot tiered falls around very lush vegetation |
MALACHITE FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Washington |
Snoqualmie National Forest |
Hiking Trail |
600-foot multi-tiered horsetail; trail may be difficult to follow; may or may not actually be located in Snoqualmie National Forest |
MARYMERE FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Washington |
Olympic National Park |
Hiking Trail |
very pretty waterfall set in a temperate rain forest; found within the northern section of the national park; short-hike; extremely photogenic |
PALOUSE FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Washington |
Palouse Falls State Park |
Short Walk |
powerful and wild falls; nearly 200ft; a strong contender for best waterfall in Washington; extremely dramatic setting |
SNOQUALMIE FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Washington |
unknown |
Roadside / Short Walk |
one of WA's most popular tourist attractions and easily its most popular waterfall; 270ft plunge with a lot of development near and above falls |
WALLACE FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Washington |
Wallace Falls State Park |
Hiking Trail |
estimated 250-265ft tall horsetail; a lower, middle and upper falls exist |
BLACKWATER FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
West Virginia |
Blackwater Falls State Park |
Short Walk |
the most famous waterfall in West Virginia; several other falls in state park; 63-foot tall segmented falls |
BIG MANITOU FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Wisconsin |
Pattison State Park |
Short Walk |
probably the tallest waterfall in Wisconsin at 162 feet; tiered falls; smaller falls nearby |
LOWER FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Wyoming |
Yellowstone National Park |
Roadside / Short Walk |
one of the finest waterfalls in the world; this gorgeous waterfall dumps into beautiful yellow-colored Yellowstone Canyon; there are several excellent overlook trails, including the steep (but fun) Uncle Tom's Trail that descends on a metal mesh staircase that is not for the faint at heart; the falls are located very close to 'Canyon Village' in the eastern section of Yellowstone National Park; one of two major falls on the Yellowstone River (the other, Upper Falls, is nearby and trails connect the two) |
TOWER FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Wyoming |
Yellowstone National Park |
Roadside / Hiking Trail |
the trail to the base of these falls is reportedly closed, but the roadside overlook provides a decent view; located in the "Tower-Roosevelt" section of the national park |
UNION FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Wyoming |
Yellowstone National Park |
Hiking Trail |
one of the most beautiful falls in Yellowstone; estimated height of 250 feet; requires a long and tough hike, but most consider the effort involved still worth-it (approximately 15 miles round-trip) |
UPPER FALLS
STATE |
PARK |
ACCESS |
OVERVIEW |
Wyoming |
Yellowstone National Park |
Roadside / Short Walk |
not as popular as the world-famous Lower Falls downstream, but the Upper Falls is a classic destination in its own right; near "Canyon Village" in the eastern section of Yellowstone National Park; located on the famous Yellowstone River |
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