14 Stunning Waterfalls in the U.S. That You Should Visit This Summer
Visiting the 14 most beautiful waterfalls in the U.S. offers a spectacular journey through the country's diverse landscapes, each waterfall providing a unique glimpse into nature's grandeur. From the majestic Niagara Falls in New York, renowned for its sheer power and size, to the ethereal beauty of Multnomah Falls in Oregon, these natural wonders captivate with their dramatic drops and picturesque settings. The serene Havasu Falls in Arizona, with its turquoise waters, contrasts strikingly with the rugged cliffs of the Grand Canyon.
15 Stunning Waterfalls in the U.S. That You Should Visit This Summer For a Dip
In Yosemite National Park, the towering Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Fall epitomize the park's stunning scenery. The lush surroundings of Shoshone Falls in Idaho and the cascading waters of Amicalola Falls in Georgia showcase the varied ecosystems across the states. Each visit not only offers breathtaking views and photo opportunities but also a chance to explore the rich biodiversity and geological history unique to each location, making it a profoundly enriching experience for nature lovers and adventurers alike. These are the 14 most stunning waterfalls in the United States.
1. Palouse Falls: LaCrosse, Washington
The highlight of Palouse Falls State Park is undoubtedly Palouse Falls itself. The Palouse River gracefully flows through a picturesque narrow gorge, showcasing its beauty even before dramatically cascading two hundred feet over the edge into a tranquil pool below.
Source: Washington State Parks
This unique waterfall stands as a remarkable remnant from the ancient ice-age floods known as the Missoula Floods, making the journey to witness this awe-inspiring scenery truly unforgettable.
2. Burney Falls: Burney, California
The McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park landscape was transformed over time by a combination of volcanic activity and erosion caused by weather and streams. Encircled by towering mountain peaks and blanketed with dark volcanic rock, the park boasts a striking natural beauty.
Source: California State Parks
Originating from the park's subterranean springs, Burney Creek winds its way to Lake Britton, steadily increasing in size until it reaches the awe-inspiring focal point of the park, the magnificent 129-foot Burney Falls.
3. Toketee Falls: Clearwater, Oregon
The North Umpqua River has meticulously carved a sinuous gorge out of the hardened lava, resulting in the creation of the splendid Toketee Falls. Visitors can embark on a brief 0.8-mile trail leading to a vantage point that offers a breathtaking view of this 113-foot high waterfall.
Source: United States Forest Service
The falls consist of two tiers, with the upper falls cascading about 40 feet, followed by the lower falls dramatically plunging 80 feet over a sheer basalt cliff—a truly magnificent sight that will leave you in awe.
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4. Kaaterskill Falls: Leeds, New York
The crowning jewel of the Great Northern Catskills is undoubtedly the highest cascading waterfall in New York State—Kaaterskill Falls. This stunning natural wonder, with two tiers that drop over 260 feet, creates a mesmerizing spectacle as it cascades gracefully into a beautiful turquoise-colored pool below.
Source: Catskill Tourism
Its breathtaking beauty and serene surroundings make it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
5. Cumberland Falls: Corbin, Kentucky
Cumberland Falls is renowned for being one of the rare locations across the globe where visitors can witness a mesmerizing natural phenomenon known as a moonbow. This ethereal display, often referred to as a lunar rainbow, is created in a manner akin to a traditional rainbow, emerging when light is refracted within water droplets.
Source: Cumberland Falls State Park
The moonbow graces the night sky, stretching its spectral hues as far as visibility allows on both sides of the shimmering full moon.
6. Havasu Falls: Grand Canyon, Arizona
Havasu Falls is the most famous of the aqua-blue Havasupai Waterfalls that cascade over deep-orange, travertine cliffs in a desert oasis of unparalleled beauty.
Source: Visit Arizona
The striking interplay between the dry, arid expanse of the Havasu Canyon and the vibrant greenery flourishing alongside the water creates a mesmerizing fusion of rugged desert terrain and captivating tropical haven.
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7. Multnomah Falls: Troutdale, Oregon
Plummeting 620-feet, Multnomah Falls holds the impressive title of being one of the tallest year-round waterfalls in the United States. Fed by underground springs from Larch Mountain, the flow over the falls fluctuates throughout the year, with the highest levels typically occurring during the winter and spring seasons.
Source: Travel Oregon
What makes this natural wonder even more captivating is the sight of six distinct flows of Grande Ronde Basalt visible in the cliff face of the falls, each layer representing over 400,000 years of geological history.
8. Union Falls: Gardiner, Montana
The Bechler region, known as the “Cascade Corner,” stands out within Yellowstone National Park for its astonishing natural beauty and abundant water features.
Source: National Park Service
One of its hidden gems, Union Falls, derives its name from the majestic merging of Mountain Ash Creek's forks, captivating visitors with its grandeur and serenity amid the surrounding geological marvels.
9. Virginia Falls: Nahanni National Park, Motana
Located in the heart of Nahanni National Park, Virginia Falls is nestled within an incredible 30,000 km of untouched and seldom-traveled Canadian wilderness, rendering it a timeless and awe-inspiring destination to explore.
Source: U.S. National Park Service
10. Whitewater Falls: Cashiers, North Carolina
Whitewater Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Rockies, boasts an impressive 400-foot drop. This series of waterfalls and cascades located on the Whitewater River spans across North Carolina and South Carolina. The river descends 1,500 feet over a 3.5 mile stretch, meandering across the state border.
Source: U.S. Forest Service
The lush surroundings of steep slopes and rock cliffs provide a habitat for an abundance of wildflowers, salamanders, ferns, mosses, and fungi. Visitors can delight in the colorful array of berries and blooms that flourish here year-round.
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11. Bushkill Falls: Poconos, Pennsylvania
Known as the “Niagara of Pennsylvania,” Bushkill Falls is a must-visit gem in the Keystone State. Tucked away in the picturesque Pocono Mountains, this enchanting destination features a captivating series of eight stunning waterfalls.
Source: Bushkill Falls
Exploring the area is a delightful adventure, thanks to its well-maintained hiking trails and charming bridges providing breathtaking panoramas of the falls and the lush forest that envelops them.
12. Upper Mesa Falls: Idaho Falls, Idaho
At Upper Mesa Falls, visitors are greeted by a thunderous curtain of water, cascading down as if from a 10-story building, a breathtaking sight shaped by an ancient volcanic super-eruption that once blanketed a large part of the present-day United States with ash.
Source: Caribou-Targhee National Forest Service
Just a mile away, Lower Mesa Falls mirrors this impressive display, showcasing nature's relentless work as the river carves through layers of hardened ash and lava, some dating back over a million years. These falls stand today as the final untouched cascades along the Snake River, defying human attempts at control.
13. Calf Creek Falls: Boulder, Utah
The lower falls are 130 feet high, with a deep swimming hole underneath them, creating a picturesque scene enveloped by lush greenery, especially beneath the misty spray of the waterfall. These lower falls stand out as the more renowned among the two waterfalls along Calf Creek.
Source: Visit Utah
Conversely, the Upper Calf Creek Falls, towering at 88 feet, may not boast the same abundant cascade as their lower counterpart, yet they present a striking and noteworthy spectacle for visitors to behold.
14. Hamilton Preserve Waterfall: Dripping Springs, Texas
This captivating recreation destination, Hamilton Pool Preserve, offers visitors a unique experience with its collapsed grotto filled with mesmerizing blue-green water, embraced by stunning rock formations, and an impressive 50-foot waterfall.
Source: Visit Austin
In addition to its natural wonders, the preserve presents a variety of hiking trails for all seasons, providing opportunities to observe rare plant species and diverse birdlife like the Golden Cheek Warblers and Cliff Swallows.
15. South Fork Mineral Creek Falls: Durango, Colorado
The magnificent falls cascade down a total of approximately 55 feet, with the upper tier plummeting about 35 feet into a vast blue pool. From there, the lower tier descends another 20 feet into a narrow gorge located around 100 feet further downstream. The water's mesmerizing deep turquoise hue is a consequence of the rock powder suspended within it, a product of glacier erosion spanning thousands of years.
Source: U.S. Forest Service
This striking blue water creates a stunning contrast against the backdrop of red riverbed rock. During the autumn season, the landscape is further enhanced by the vibrant yellow willows and shrubs, offering endless opportunities for breathtaking photographs.