There are few natural wonders more enchanting than a beautiful waterfall. From ethereal forest brooks to roaring alpine cascades, the U.S. is home to some of the most amazing waterfalls in the world. Read on to discover the most breathtaking waterfalls in all 50 states.
Alabama: Upper DeSoto Falls
Duncan Mckinnon Named after Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, this fall drops 104 feet into the pool below
Alaska: Big Goat Falls
Suncat2000/flickr The icy, cold Big Goat Falls plunges 800 feet. It’s located in the Misty Fiords National Monument, but is so isolated you can only view it from an aircraft above.
Arizona: Mooney Falls
Al_HikesAZ, Flickr You’ll find Mooney Falls in the Havasupai Indian Reservation. It’s a steep hike, but well worth the effort. The 190-foot waterfall plunges into a pool that’s perfect for swimming.
Arkansas: Hemmed-In Hollow Falls
Brad Hill/flickr Hemmed-In Hollow Falls, in the Ponca Wilderness Area, is the tallest waterfall in Arkansas with an impressive 209-foot drop. It’s “hemmed-in” on three sides by towering bluffs.
California: Yosemite Falls
rajapal/flickr Truly stunning, Yosemite Falls has a total height of 2, 425 feet. Visit it at Yosemite National Park in Mariposa County.
Colorado: Bridal Veil Falls
John Fowler/flickr The tallest waterfall in Colorado is Bridal Veil Falls, which drops 365 feet. The hike to the waterfall is strenuous, but well worth your time.
Connecticut: Kent Falls
Brad Clinesmith/flickr These falls drop in cascades spanning over ¼ mile. Take a picnic to enjoy along it’s banks at Kent Falls State Park.
Delaware: Brandywine State Park
Andrew E. Russell/flickr A pretty little waterfall in a lush, green setting.
Florida: Falling Waters
floridastateparks.org Whether this waterfall 3 miles south of Chipley, FL is gushing or just trickling water depends on recent rainfall. But as you can see from the photo, it’s a sight to behold when it’s really flowing.
Georgia: Amicalola Falls
Ron Buening II/flickr The word “amicalola” is Cherokee for “tumbling waters,” which is the perfect description for this waterfall. The water bounces, tumbles and plunges a total of 729 feet.
Hawaii: Big Island’s Waimoku Falls
Jack French / Flickr At approximately 442 feet in height, Akaka falls is perhaps the most famous waterfall on Hawaii Island – and for good reason. Many waterfalls in Hawaii only appear when it rains, or simply sheet down the side of the mountain, but Akaka Falls is different – the falls is a thick column of water that always seems to have a strong flow.
Idaho: Shoshone Falls
Nicholas D./Flickr Shoshone Falls, known as “The Niagara of the West,” is located at the edge of Twin Falls on the Snake River. It is 212 feet high—45 feet higher than Niagara Falls—and flows over a rim 1,000 feet wide.
Illinois: Lake Falls
Tom Gill/Flickr The 45 foot tall Lake Falls is located in Matthiessen State Park, near Utica, Illinois. Lake Falls is the uppermost of the falls in the Dells region of the park.
Indiana: Cataract Falls
Dave Emerson, Flickr Collectively and by volume, the Cataract Falls is the largest waterfall in the state of Indiana. Cataract Falls consists of two sets of waterfalls on Mill Creek separated by about one mile. Both falls consist of a series of drops. The total height of the Upper Falls is approximately 45 feet, while that of the Lower Falls is about 30 feet.
Iowa: Dunning’s Spring Falls
Karen/foursquare Located in Decorah, Dunning’s Spring Falls is one of Iowa’s most picturesque sights. The spectacular 200-foot waterfall is surrounded by lush green grass and mossy rocks.
Kansas: Cowley Lake Waterfall
aarp/creative commons Cowley Lake spills over a ledge at 20 feet and into a wood-shaded stream below. It is one of the largest waterfalls in Kansas and can be found about ¼ mile off US Hwy 166 in Dexter, Kansas.
Kentucky: Cumberland Falls
Frank Kehren/Flickr Cumberland Falls is the largest waterfall in the state and is the largest south of Niagara Falls. The falls are approximately 68 feet high and 125 feet wide, with an average water flow of 3,600 cubic feet per second.
Louisiana: Waterfalls of Hodges Gardens State Park
finchlake2000 /Flickr Hodges Gardens State Park is nestled in the tall pines of West Central Louisiana. The stunning (but artificial) waterfalls runs through the scenic gardens within the park and are fed by a man-made 225-acre lake.
Maine: Moxie Falls
Craig Primas/Facebook Moxie Falls is one of Maine’s highest waterfalls, including a single vertical drop of nearly 90 feet as well as other plunges and pools. A relatively easy walk of a little under one-mile brings visitors down to this scenic destination.
Maryland: Muddy Creek Falls
Van Corey/Flickr Muddy Creek Falls is the highest free-falling waterfall in Maryland at 53 ft. tall. It is located inside Swallow Falls State Park. Muddy Creek Falls has developed in the Pottsville Formation, which consists mainly of cross-bedded sandstones.
Massachusetts: Bash Bish Falls
OtroPX/Flickr These falls in the Taconic Mountains are the highest in the state. The falls are made up of a series of cascades, nearly 200 feet in total, with the final cascade being split into twin falls by a jutting rock, dropping 80 feet over boulders and into a placid pool.
Michigan: Tahquamenon Falls
Brook Ward/Flickr Situated in the Tahquamenon Falls State Park, this is actually two sets of waterfalls on the Tahquamenon River. The Upper Falls are more than 200 feet across, and has a drop close to 50 feet.
Minnesota: Pigeon River High Falls
Flickr/Jim Brekke These 120-foot falls are the highest in Minnesota. You can find them in Grand Portage State Park on the Minnesota/Canada border.
Mississippi: Clark Creek Falls
Flickr/Mark Freyder
Missouri: Grand Falls
Flickr/Lance J Plunging 25 feet into Shoal Creek, Grand Falls is the largest continuously flowing natural waterfall in Missouri.
Montana: Great Falls
Flickr/David Great Falls can be found on the upper Missouri River basin. Lewis and Clark once navigated around it, and it is currently home to a hydroelectric dam.
Nebraska: Snake River Falls
Wikipedia/Ammodramus Snake River Falls is the largest waterfall by volume in the entire state of Nebraska.
Nevada: Mirage Waterfall
Flickr/Sean MacEntee Nevada isn’t known for its waterfalls, but you can find a few in Las Vegas. This manmade stunner can be found at the Mirage Hotel.
New Hampshire: Arethusa Falls
Flickr/Alex1961 Towering over 200 feet, these are the tallest falls in New Hampshire. Located in Crawford Notch State Park, you’ll find several fantastic falls in the area.
New Jersey: Great Falls
Flickr/Wasabi Bob An urban oasis, these powerful falls are located in the city of Paterson. Cross the footbridge to get right up close to this gem!
New Mexico: Folsom Falls
Wikipedia/Wardster321 Folsom Falls is located on the Cimarron River in Union County.
New York: Niagara Falls
Wikipedia/Saffron Blaze The collection of waterfalls known as Niagara Falls are among the most powerful in the United States.
North Carolina: Dry Falls
Flickr/Scott Located in Nantahala National Park, you can walk right under these 75-foot falls and stay dry.
North Dakota: Turtle River Falls
Flickr/Al Though there is only one officially recognized waterfall in North Dakota (Sheyenne State Forest Waterfall), you can find this little gem in Turtle River State Park.
Ohio: Upper Falls
Flickr/Jim Pater You’ll find these stunning falls in the Old Man’s Cave area of Hocking Hills State Park.
Oklahoma: Turner Falls
Lindell Dillon/Flickr Turner Falls is located in the beautiful Arbuckle Mountains and is considered Oklahoma’s tallest waterfall at 77 feet. This picturesque waterfall flows with crystal clear water into a swimming hole.
Oregon: Multnomah Falls
Flickr/ Michael Matti Multnomah Falls is a majestic waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge, and it’s one of the tallest in the country.
Pennsylvania: Cucumber Falls
Flickr/ Robert Aberegg This stunning 30-foot waterfall is located at the end of a short hike in the Ohiopyle State Park. The falls are especially beautiful in spring.
Rhode Island: Stepstone Falls
Yelp/ Brian S. Located at the end of he Ben Utter Trail in the Arcadia Management Area, this lovely waterfall is small but absolutely delightful.
South Carolina: Rainbow Falls
Scott Oves / Flickr This 4.3 mile trail at Jones Gap State Park is rather difficult but so worth it for the spectacular view. It’s near Cleveland, South Carolina.
South Dakota: Bridal Veil Falls
Flickr/ Justin Meissen Located in the gorgeous Spearfish Canyon in the Black Hills National Forest, Bridal Veil Falls is a jaw dropping waterfall that cascades a total of 60 feet.
Tennessee: Burgess Falls
Flickr/ Joe Z This ethereal waterfall flows into a limestone gorge in the Burgess Falls State Park.
Texas: Hamilton Pool Waterfall
Flickr/ Marcus Calderon This natural pool and waterfall in Texas is a wonder to behold.
Utah: Provo River Falls
Mike Renlund/flickr The cascading waters of Provo River Falls are easy to access; just park your car in the lot above and make your way down to the edge of the river. It’s also a great spot for a picnic!
Vermont: Moss Glen Falls
Flickr/ Scott McCracken Dropping a total of 125 feet, this majestic waterfall in Lamoille County is one of the tallest waterfalls in the area.
Virginia: Falling Spring Falls
Flickr/ U.S. Geological Survey The beautiful Falling Spring Falls was visited by Thomas Jefferson himself; this astounding 80-foot waterfall is not to be missed.
Washington: Snoqualmie Falls
Flickr/ turcottes78 Measuring in at 268 ft tall, Snoqualmie Falls is one of the most popular travel destinations in Washington, and it’s absolutely breathtaking.
West Virginia: Blackwater Falls
Flickr/ Dan Buczynski Nestled into the Allegheny Mountains in West Virginia you’ll find the beautiful Blackwater Falls.
Wisconsin: Willow Falls
Flickr/ NatureNerd (probably outside) This gorgeous, tiered waterfall in Wisconsin will fill you will awe.
Wyoming: Lower Yellowstone Falls
Flickr/ Jerry The stunning Lower Yellowstone Falls cascades through a canyon that dates back nearly 600,000 years. This waterfall - and the surrounding landscape - is truly one of a kind.
How many of these wondrous waterfalls have you visited? What are some other amazing waterfalls in the U.S.? Let us know in the comments.
Duncan Mckinnon
Named after Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, this fall drops 104 feet into the pool below
Suncat2000/flickr
The icy, cold Big Goat Falls plunges 800 feet. It’s located in the Misty Fiords National Monument, but is so isolated you can only view it from an aircraft above.
Al_HikesAZ, Flickr
You’ll find Mooney Falls in the Havasupai Indian Reservation. It’s a steep hike, but well worth the effort. The 190-foot waterfall plunges into a pool that’s perfect for swimming.
Brad Hill/flickr
Hemmed-In Hollow Falls, in the Ponca Wilderness Area, is the tallest waterfall in Arkansas with an impressive 209-foot drop. It’s “hemmed-in” on three sides by towering bluffs.
rajapal/flickr
Truly stunning, Yosemite Falls has a total height of 2, 425 feet. Visit it at Yosemite National Park in Mariposa County.
John Fowler/flickr
The tallest waterfall in Colorado is Bridal Veil Falls, which drops 365 feet. The hike to the waterfall is strenuous, but well worth your time.
Brad Clinesmith/flickr
These falls drop in cascades spanning over ¼ mile. Take a picnic to enjoy along it’s banks at Kent Falls State Park.
Andrew E. Russell/flickr
A pretty little waterfall in a lush, green setting.
floridastateparks.org
Whether this waterfall 3 miles south of Chipley, FL is gushing or just trickling water depends on recent rainfall. But as you can see from the photo, it’s a sight to behold when it’s really flowing.
Ron Buening II/flickr
The word “amicalola” is Cherokee for “tumbling waters,” which is the perfect description for this waterfall. The water bounces, tumbles and plunges a total of 729 feet.
Jack French / Flickr
At approximately 442 feet in height, Akaka falls is perhaps the most famous waterfall on Hawaii Island – and for good reason. Many waterfalls in Hawaii only appear when it rains, or simply sheet down the side of the mountain, but Akaka Falls is different – the falls is a thick column of water that always seems to have a strong flow.
Nicholas D./Flickr
Shoshone Falls, known as “The Niagara of the West,” is located at the edge of Twin Falls on the Snake River. It is 212 feet high—45 feet higher than Niagara Falls—and flows over a rim 1,000 feet wide.
Tom Gill/Flickr
The 45 foot tall Lake Falls is located in Matthiessen State Park, near Utica, Illinois. Lake Falls is the uppermost of the falls in the Dells region of the park.
Dave Emerson, Flickr
Collectively and by volume, the Cataract Falls is the largest waterfall in the state of Indiana. Cataract Falls consists of two sets of waterfalls on Mill Creek separated by about one mile. Both falls consist of a series of drops. The total height of the Upper Falls is approximately 45 feet, while that of the Lower Falls is about 30 feet.
Karen/foursquare
Located in Decorah, Dunning’s Spring Falls is one of Iowa’s most picturesque sights. The spectacular 200-foot waterfall is surrounded by lush green grass and mossy rocks.
aarp/creative commons
Cowley Lake spills over a ledge at 20 feet and into a wood-shaded stream below. It is one of the largest waterfalls in Kansas and can be found about ¼ mile off US Hwy 166 in Dexter, Kansas.
Frank Kehren/Flickr
Cumberland Falls is the largest waterfall in the state and is the largest south of Niagara Falls. The falls are approximately 68 feet high and 125 feet wide, with an average water flow of 3,600 cubic feet per second.
finchlake2000 /Flickr
Hodges Gardens State Park is nestled in the tall pines of West Central Louisiana. The stunning (but artificial) waterfalls runs through the scenic gardens within the park and are fed by a man-made 225-acre lake.
Craig Primas/Facebook
Moxie Falls is one of Maine’s highest waterfalls, including a single vertical drop of nearly 90 feet as well as other plunges and pools. A relatively easy walk of a little under one-mile brings visitors down to this scenic destination.
Van Corey/Flickr
Muddy Creek Falls is the highest free-falling waterfall in Maryland at 53 ft. tall. It is located inside Swallow Falls State Park. Muddy Creek Falls has developed in the Pottsville Formation, which consists mainly of cross-bedded sandstones.
OtroPX/Flickr
These falls in the Taconic Mountains are the highest in the state. The falls are made up of a series of cascades, nearly 200 feet in total, with the final cascade being split into twin falls by a jutting rock, dropping 80 feet over boulders and into a placid pool.
Brook Ward/Flickr
Situated in the Tahquamenon Falls State Park, this is actually two sets of waterfalls on the Tahquamenon River. The Upper Falls are more than 200 feet across, and has a drop close to 50 feet.
Flickr/Jim Brekke
These 120-foot falls are the highest in Minnesota. You can find them in Grand Portage State Park on the Minnesota/Canada border.
Flickr/Mark Freyder
Flickr/Lance J
Plunging 25 feet into Shoal Creek, Grand Falls is the largest continuously flowing natural waterfall in Missouri.
Flickr/David
Great Falls can be found on the upper Missouri River basin. Lewis and Clark once navigated around it, and it is currently home to a hydroelectric dam.
Wikipedia/Ammodramus
Snake River Falls is the largest waterfall by volume in the entire state of Nebraska.
Flickr/Sean MacEntee
Nevada isn’t known for its waterfalls, but you can find a few in Las Vegas. This manmade stunner can be found at the Mirage Hotel.
Flickr/Alex1961
Towering over 200 feet, these are the tallest falls in New Hampshire. Located in Crawford Notch State Park, you’ll find several fantastic falls in the area.
Flickr/Wasabi Bob
An urban oasis, these powerful falls are located in the city of Paterson. Cross the footbridge to get right up close to this gem!
Wikipedia/Wardster321
Folsom Falls is located on the Cimarron River in Union County.
Wikipedia/Saffron Blaze
The collection of waterfalls known as Niagara Falls are among the most powerful in the United States.
Flickr/Scott
Located in Nantahala National Park, you can walk right under these 75-foot falls and stay dry.
Flickr/Al
Though there is only one officially recognized waterfall in North Dakota (Sheyenne State Forest Waterfall), you can find this little gem in Turtle River State Park.
Flickr/Jim Pater
You’ll find these stunning falls in the Old Man’s Cave area of Hocking Hills State Park.
Lindell Dillon/Flickr
Turner Falls is located in the beautiful Arbuckle Mountains and is considered Oklahoma’s tallest waterfall at 77 feet. This picturesque waterfall flows with crystal clear water into a swimming hole.
Flickr/ Michael Matti
Multnomah Falls is a majestic waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge, and it’s one of the tallest in the country.
Flickr/ Robert Aberegg
This stunning 30-foot waterfall is located at the end of a short hike in the Ohiopyle State Park. The falls are especially beautiful in spring.
Yelp/ Brian S.
Located at the end of he Ben Utter Trail in the Arcadia Management Area, this lovely waterfall is small but absolutely delightful.
Scott Oves / Flickr
This 4.3 mile trail at Jones Gap State Park is rather difficult but so worth it for the spectacular view. It’s near Cleveland, South Carolina.
Flickr/ Justin Meissen
Located in the gorgeous Spearfish Canyon in the Black Hills National Forest, Bridal Veil Falls is a jaw dropping waterfall that cascades a total of 60 feet.
Flickr/ Joe Z
This ethereal waterfall flows into a limestone gorge in the Burgess Falls State Park.
Flickr/ Marcus Calderon
This natural pool and waterfall in Texas is a wonder to behold.
Mike Renlund/flickr
The cascading waters of Provo River Falls are easy to access; just park your car in the lot above and make your way down to the edge of the river. It’s also a great spot for a picnic!
Flickr/ Scott McCracken
Dropping a total of 125 feet, this majestic waterfall in Lamoille County is one of the tallest waterfalls in the area.
Flickr/ U.S. Geological Survey
The beautiful Falling Spring Falls was visited by Thomas Jefferson himself; this astounding 80-foot waterfall is not to be missed.
Flickr/ turcottes78
Measuring in at 268 ft tall, Snoqualmie Falls is one of the most popular travel destinations in Washington, and it’s absolutely breathtaking.
Flickr/ Dan Buczynski
Nestled into the Allegheny Mountains in West Virginia you’ll find the beautiful Blackwater Falls.
Flickr/ NatureNerd (probably outside)
This gorgeous, tiered waterfall in Wisconsin will fill you will awe.
Flickr/ Jerry
The stunning Lower Yellowstone Falls cascades through a canyon that dates back nearly 600,000 years. This waterfall - and the surrounding landscape - is truly one of a kind.
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