The Best Waterfall Hikes in Every State

When it comes to trails with big payoffs, it’s hard to do much better than a waterfall hike. After all, on a hot summer day, there’s little more rewarding than cool mist on your face, icy water on your toes, or a refreshing plunge after a long trek. And, of course, there are the photo ops.

The other good news: You don’t need to live in a temperate rainforest to find a stunning cascade within at least a few hours’ drive. Desert canyons, stepped bayous, and rocky tumbles exist all across the U.S.—which means you can find a waterfall no matter what kind of landscape you live in. So, next time you’re looking for a trail with a photo-worthy finish line, check this list. Here are 50 cascades—one in every state—that are worth the hike.

Alabama: Shangri-La Falls

Round-trip Distance: 3 miles

You might not expect to find a turquoise, tropical rainforest-style pool in northern Alabama, but this oasis exists to defy those expectations. Winter or spring bring epic flows, but forest scenery is lush year-round.

Alaska: Horsetail Falls

Round-trip Distance: 4.8 miles

Sometimes called the Waterfall Capital of Alaska, the town of Valdez sits at the mouth of a canyon that’s absolutely littered with waterfalls. Take the Keystone Canyon Pack Trail to Horsetail Falls to see one of the area’s best: a 300-foot braided wonder that tumbles down a verdant hillside. You’ll be treated to views of mountains and river valleys along the way.

Arizona: Havasu Falls

Round-trip Distance: 20 miles

Havasu Falls is a stunning blue-green cascade that hangs just above the Grand Canyon floor. Its remoteness and permit requirement make a coveted visit all the more precious. Overnight permits (day hikes are not allowed) can only be acquired from the Havasupai Tribe website. Snag yours, then plan for a 10-mile one-way trek on the Havasupai Trail to reach the falls (and nearby campground).

Arkansas: Hemmed-In Hollow Falls

Round-trip Distance: 5.7 miles

There are two ways to reach this chattering falls: via a challenging hike on Hemmed-In Hollow Trail, or via a leisurely float on the Buffalo National River. The reward is worth it: the towering waterfall is tucked into a curved hollow and pours down a layered cliff face to meet the river below.

California: Yosemite Falls

Round-trip Distance: 7.2 miles

The fifth tallest waterfall in the world at 2,425 feet, Yosemite Falls flows strongest in spring and early summer right after snowmelt starts in the high country. The lower falls are accessible from a one-mile loop near Yosemite Valley Lodge, and the upper falls from the 7.2-mile Yosemite Falls Trail.

Connecticut: Kent Falls

Round-trip Distance: 1.1 miles

At 250 feet, Kent is Connecticut’s tallest waterfall, but height isn’t all it has going for it. This multi-stepped beauty falls in three distinct tiers, making it a treat to view from any angle. Make a loop from the Red and Yellow trails, and budget plenty of time: all routes to the falls feature steep terrain and can be more strenuous than you might expect for the distance alone.

Colorado: Continental Falls

Round-trip Distance: 8.7 miles

Telluride’s massive Bridal Veil Falls gets a lot of hype, but we recommend this alternative for a quieter, wilder hike. Located just outside the town of Breckenridge, 225-foot Continental Falls is a roaring, multi-tier cascade flanked by spruce trees. The aptly named Spruce Creek Trail will lead you right to the base, but the mileage-hungry among us can continue along the Mohawk Lakes Trail to tag an additional six alpine lakes.

Delaware: Alapocas Run

Round-trip Distance: Up to 4 miles

A flat, coastal landscape means waterfalls are few and far between in Delaware. But this state park offers the chance to stroll along Brandywine Creek and Alapocas Run where you’ll spot low falls and unique rock faces along a mixed-surface path.

Florida: Falling Waters

Round-trip Distance: .6 miles

Take an easy, looping stroll along Wiregrass Trail to Falling Waters Sink where a creek plummets 73 feet into a 100-foot-deep sinkhole in the rock beneath it. Seasonal conditions dictate whether the falls gush or trickle, so plan to visit after a big rainstorm if you’re looking for peak flow.

Georgia: Panther Creek Falls

Round-trip Distance: 14 miles

Deep in the Cohutta Wilderness, surrounded by eastern hemlock, a swimming hole at the bottom of picturesque Panther Creek Falls makes for a perfect spot to rest at the end of a long hike. Don’t want to tackle the whole 14 miles in a day? Backcountry campsites are available near the falls, which make it easy to split the trek over a weekend.

Hawaii: Waimoku Falls

Round-trip Distance: 4 miles

This long, narrow cascade in Maui’s Haleakala National Park falls 400 feet down a sheer wall of hardened lava. Get there via a 4-mile round-trip hike through bamboo forest on the Pipiwai Trail. Bonus: there’s an appetizer cascade, Makahiku Falls, just a half-mile from the trailhead.

Idaho: Shoshone Falls

Round-trip Distance: 12.6 miles

Shoshone Falls is an impressively broad, 212-foot cascade that surges with fresh snowmelt come spring. To enjoy the view and get a break from the crowds (most people prefer the shorter, more direct route available above the falls), hike to the bottom via the lesser-used Canyon Rim Trail.

Illinois: Wildcat Canyon Waterfall

Round-trip Distance: 5.7

Starved Rock State Park is a maze of gorges, each of which has its own viewpoints and—in wet weather—gushing waterfalls. Start at the Parkman’s Plain parking area and head west, taking the time to poke in and out of the various canyons you pass along the way. Savor the forested trails, waterfront views, and sandstone cliffs dripping with moss before emerging at the crown jewel of the hike: Wildcat Canyon and it’s eponymous falls.

Indiana: Clifty Falls

Round-trip Distance: 6 miles

Head to Clifty Falls State Park for a trek through a gorge where you’ll spot three separate falls: Clifty, Little Clifty and Tunnel Falls. The route is lined with lush greenery, cliffy overhangs, and rock shelves that slow the falls into a peaceful, stepped trickle.

Iowa: Macbride Falls

Round-trip Distance: 2 miles

Hike along the Iowa River in Macbride Nature and Recreation Area to visit this low, tumbling waterfall. It may not be the tallest on this list, but that makes it no less picturesque. Enjoy wooded trails for much of the loop before emerging onto the Iowa River shoreline and watching the falls slip into the waterway below.

Kansas: Chase Falls

Round-trip Distance: 1 mile

Chase Falls is one of the mightier cascades you’ll find in Kansas, and just the ticket for a leisurely afternoon stroll. Its short, easy trail leads to a small, chattering fall. When the flows are low and the weather’s hot, it makes a perfect place for a quick dip.

Kentucky: Cumberland Falls

Round-trip Distance: 1 mile

Sometimes called the “Niagara of the South,” Cumberland Falls lives up to its nickname. You’ll find the cascade in the state park of the same name, dropping over a broad, rocky lip into the lake below. Trails leading to the falls range from a short 1-mile jaunt to longer linkups that connect to the rest of the park’s trail network.

Louisiana: Rock Falls

Round-trip Distance: 1 mile

Located in J.C. “Sonny” Gilbert Wilderness Management Area, this 17-foot waterfall is the state’s tallest. To get there, climb the occasionally steep Rock Falls Trail. The size of the falls is entirely dependent on recent weather; visit after a rainstorm for the most impressive flow.

Maine: Katahdin Stream Falls

Round-trip Distance: 2 miles

Head to Baxter State Park to reach this multi-tiered, braided cascade along the Appalachian Trail. It’s one of the last things thru-hikers see before they end their months-long trek, so it holds a special place in many hikers’ hearts. f you can score a summit permit, follow their footsteps and climb Mt. Katahdin while you’re there.

Maryland: Swallow Falls

Round-trip Distance: 1.1 miles

There are four robust cascades on this short loop: Muddy Falls, Tollivar Falls, Upper Swallow Falls, and Lower Swallow Falls. In other words, you can choose your own adventure and tag as many (or as few) cascades as you want. For that reason, this place is popular: Day use reservations are required from the weekend before Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Massachusetts: Bash Bish Falls

Round-trip Distance: 2 miles

Located in the picturesque Berkshire region near the New York border, this is the state’s tallest waterfall at about 200 feet once you add up the multi-tiered cascades. Swimming isn’t permitted, but photos are, so snap away. Your inner fine-art photographer (and your Instagram followers) will be overjoyed.

Minnesota: High Falls

Round-trip Distance: 3.3 miles

You can spot three different cascades along the Baptism River Trail in Tettegouche State Park: High Falls (the tallest in the state), Cascade Falls, and Two Step Falls. The most impressive specimen, High Falls, can be viewed from a suspension bridge that crosses the Baptism River, just below the Cascade. From there, cross to the river’s eastern shore to catch a glimpse of Cascade Falls before retracing your steps.

Michigan: Tahquamenon Falls

Round-trip Distance: 1.7 miles

While there’s no shortage of waterfalls in Michigan, this one on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is a unique option: It runs copper thanks to tannins in the water. Hike the short Lower Falls Trail out to the island, do a loop, then head back. Looking for more mileage? Take the 4-mile River Trail to lengthen your outing.

Mississippi: Clark Creek

Round-trip Distance: 5 miles

There are, quite literally, too many waterfalls to name within the boundaries of Clark Creek Natural Area—but nameless doesn’t mean boring. To see at least five of these anonymous cascades, tackle the 5-mile Primitive Trail, which winds through dense forest and climbs up and down plenty of stairs.

Missouri: Mina Sauk Falls

Round-trip Distance: 3 miles

Both Missouri’s tallest waterfall and state high point lie along this trail in Taum Sauk Mountain State Park. The route is rugged and challenging, but the payoff is worth the effort, especially when heavy rains send the cascade surging with storm-flow.

Montana: Monument Falls

Round-trip Distance: 6 miles

It’s almost unfair to name a “best” waterfall in Montana—so we chose five. That’s how many streaming vertical cascades pour off the surrounding mountains into Avalanche Lake. The tallest of these—Monument Falls—is about 170 feet in height. Park at the Avalanche Lake Trailhead and follow the eponymous trail for unrivaled shoreside views. Pro tip: Go around Memorial Day when portions of the Going-to-the-Sun Road remain closed, as you’ll have fewer crowds.

Nebraska: Smith Falls

Round-trip Distance: 2.3 miles

The walk to Smith Falls is a short .8 mile out-and-back, but tack on the 1.5-mile Jim McCallister Nature Trail Loop to extend your trek (and more than double your daily intake of gorgeous Nebraska scenery). On a hot day, wade in the shallow pool at the base of the falls or float the nearby Niobrara River to chill out before hiking back to your car.

Nevada: Hunter Creek Waterfall

Round-trip Distance: 6 miles

There may be no better place to take a cool off near Reno than Hunter Creek Waterfall. The approach trail is sunny and exposed, but that just makes the cool water and picturesque 30-foot cascade that much more rewarding.

New Hampshire: Crystal Cascades

Round-trip Distance: .7 miles

Stacked together, this set of upper and lower falls total 90 feet, making Crystal Cascades Falls a breathtaking tower of falling water. If you want to extend the short .7-mile hike to the falls, choose a loop from the countless options that lattice the Pinkham Notch Scenic Area.

New Jersey: Buttermilk Falls

Round-trip Distance: 7 miles

New Jersey’s tallest continuous waterfall is accessible just a stone’s throw from the Appalachian Trail in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. To see it (and its neighbor, Silver Spray Waterfall), connect the Buttermilk Falls Trail, Appalachian Trail, and Woods Road for a full-value 7-mile loop.

New Mexico: Sitting Bull Falls

Round-trip Distance: 2.7 miles

Wide-open desert skies and clear springs await on this gorgeous lollipop-loop trail. To do it, combine the Overlook and Sitting Bull Spring trails for a 2.7-mile jaunt (you can extend it farther by creating a loop via the CCC Trail). Be prepared for relentless sun and desert trail navigation; the way isn’t always well-marked, so bring or download a map.

New York: Niagara Falls

Round-trip Distance: Up to 2.2 miles

Niagara Falls may feel like a given, but we’d be remiss to leave out the most powerful waterfall in North America. It’s an easy stroll to viewing platforms, but several trails, including Goat Island Scenic Walk, offer unique vantage points and vistas of three falls—American, Bridal Veil, and Horseshoe Falls—in addition to the marquee attraction.

North Carolina: Catawba Falls

Round-trip Distance: 3.5 miles

The hike to Catawba Falls (and its sisters, Upper and Lower Catawba Falls) is a popular one—and for good reason. Enjoy views from above and below the cascade with a scenic 3.5-mile meander along mossy, forested Catawba Falls River and Ridge Trails. Want to make a weekend of it? Book a tent site at the eponymous campground right across the street.

North Dakota: Mineral Springs Waterfall

Round-trip Distance: 4.4 miles

It was easy to pick the best waterfall in North Dakota; after all, Mineral Springs is the only waterfall in North Dakota. Still, this little Sheyenne River State Forest gem is still worth a visit. The approach trail wends through forests and across open plains and ends in a small wooded clearing. The cascade itself isn’t tall–only 8 feet–but its deep backcountry solitude more than makes up for it.

Ohio: Cedar Falls

Round-trip Distance: 6 miles

You’ll pass several waterfalls on this wooded walk through Hocking Hills State Park, but Cedar is the highlight. To do it, start at Old Man’s Cave Trailhead and take the Buckeye Trail past rocky shelves and unusual stone formations until you spot the falls. To make it a loop, take the Gorge Overlook Trail back to your car.

Oklahoma: Dripping Springs Falls

Round-trip Distance: 1.2 miles

It’s hard to get more bang for your buck distance-wise: In just over a mile, the Fox Den Trail leads visitors to one of the tallest falls in the state. The cascade tumbles into a refreshing blue-green pool amid an oasis of leafy, mixed woodland.

Oregon: Multnomah Falls

Round-trip Distance: 4.4 miles round trip

At a whopping 620 feet, Oregon’s tallest waterfall is a stunner. Hike the iconic Multnomah Falls Trail to snap photos and savor the beauty from multiple angles—including from below the picturesque Simon Benson Bridge, which looks like something right out of Rivendell.

Pennsylvania: Bushkill Falls

Round-trip Distance: 1.4-mile loop

Hit up the easy Red Trail in a privately-owned park in the Pocono Mountains and peep eight total waterfalls. The main attraction is this 100-foot falls, known as the “Niagara of Pennsylvania.” Now for the bad news: Because this is private land, entrance fees are required. (Fortunately, they’re well worth the cost.)

Rhode Island: Stepstone Falls

Round-trip Distance: 3 miles

This low, stepped waterfall is close to the parking area (on the aptly named Falls River Road), but you pad your afternoon with a 3-mile loop on the nearby Ben Utter trail. Much of the route twists through dense forest alongside the Wood River, making it a welcome source of shade on a hot summer day.

South Carolina: Yellow Branch Falls

Round-trip Distance: 3 miles

A wide, multi-layered, 50-foot waterfall awaits at the end of Yellow Branch Falls Trail in Sumter National Forest, but it’s not the only one you’ll pass on your journey. A handful of others sit right alongside this 3-mile out-and-back, each nestled amid quiet hardwood forest. The trail’s marquee cascade is the perfect place to rest and snap a few photos before you retrace your steps.

South Dakota: Devil’s Bathtub

Round-trip Distance: 1.6 miles

A gorgeous swimming hole lined with a basin of polished, striated rock, the Devil’s Bathtub is one of the best places in South Dakota for a summer plunge. Getting there is just as adventurous: the route demands several creek crossings, boulder scrambling, and hiking through rugged canyon terrain. Fortunately, the views (and the dip) are worth it.

Tennessee: Grotto Falls

Round-trip Distance: 2.6 miles

The Tennessee side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park is riddled with waterfalls—and this one boasts both a perfect swimming hole and walking trail that circumnavigates the free-hanging cascade. Access it via an out-and-back trek on the Trillium Gap Trail.

Texas: Gorman Falls

Round-trip Distance: 2.8 miles

Tackle the sunny Gorman Falls Trail to witness a spring-fed cascade surrounded by ferns and travertine formations in Colorado Bend State Park. Swimming below the falls isn’t allowed, but you can continue down to the Colorado River for a dip further downstream.

Utah: Lower Calf Creek Falls

Round-trip Distance: 5.8 miles

Located within Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, this 126-foot cascade plunges into a bright swimming hole. Better yet, it has a stunning approach trail that’s actually worth of it. The Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail wends through sandstone canyons for nearly 6 total miles of nonstop awe.

Vermont: Bingham Falls

Round-trip Distance: 0.6 miles

This waterfall is a popular one, but no less worth a visit. A series of cascades cuts through the gorge, and a swimming hole at the bottom beckons. Take the fast, 0.6-mile round-trip route from the lot on Mountain Road for the best view. If you’ve got more time, head to Mount Mansfield State Forest immediately to the south to finish out the day with a longer hike.

Virginia: Dark Hollow and Rose River Falls

Round-trip Distance: 5.5 miles

Shenandoah National Park is home to a number of waterfalls, but this loop trail takes you to two of the best: Dark Hollow and Rose River Falls. Rocky terrain and quad-busting inclines make it a more challenging trek, but views are worth the effort.

Washington: Falls Creek Falls

Round-trip Distance: 3 miles

This 100-foot waterfall within Gifford Pinchot National Forest sits nested in a bouquet of lush Pacific Northwest greenery. As if that weren’t extra enough, a delicate suspension bridge crosses before the falls, pushing the scenery into the realm of the surreal. Stand in the middle of the bridge for an excellent view of the cascade as it plunges into the gorge below.

West Virginia: Blackwater Falls

Round-trip Distance: .25 miles

Located right on the Appalachian Fall Line, this state is home to plenty of cascades. One that’s easy to view: Blackwater Falls in Blackwater Falls State Park, which runs a tawny brown due to tannins from hemlocks along the river. It’s accessible via a short boardwalk to a viewing platform, and connected trails offer the chance to extend your hike.

Wisconsin: Big Manitou Falls

Round-trip Distance: 4 miles

This easy loop in Pattison State Park leads you to the tallest waterfall in the state–Big Manitou Falls, at a whopping 165 feet in height. To do it, connect the Beaver and Little Manitou Falls trails. Along your way, keep your eyes peeled for views of Interfalls Lake and the Black River.

Wyoming: Lower Yellowstone Falls

Round-trip Distance: .75 miles
This 308-foot cascade is located within Yellowstone National Park. You can enjoy a view of it from four spots on the nearby one-way loop drive then hike up a short-but-steep trail to the top. Take the 328 steel steps down to the base for an even better view.