Waterfalls are one of nature’s greatest landscapes. It is amazing to see water flow from rivers and other bodies of water and cascade from great heights, that is why waterfalls are one of the most favorite sights to visit around the world.
The United States is blessed with plenty of gorgeous waterfalls that are worth visiting. These waterfalls have been cult-favorites not just within the country, but for foreign travelers as well.
Read on and discover 10 of the most stunning and famous waterfalls across the US and check out which waterfall to visit on your next travel escapade.
Niagara Falls in New York
Niagara Falls is easily one of the most popular waterfalls not just in the US, but in the world. It definitely does not disappoint — being the largest waterfall in the country in terms of volume, Niagara is composed of three different waterfalls namely, Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil Falls.
Visitors can enjoy the Horseshoe Falls in the Maid of the Mist boat from May to October, the time where the waterfall is at its grandest. To view the Bridal Falls, one can ride a glass elevator on the Cave of the Winds Tour.
At night, the view is even more spectacular as the area lights up and sparkles with bright lights. The massive park with a land area of 400 acres offers wildlife in addition to the breathtaking scapes! Guests are advised to bring rain gear for protection from the weather.
Blackwater Falls in Davis, West Virginia
True to its name, Blackwater Falls in Davis, West Virginia, is an amber-colored waterfall that falls five stories into the river below at Blackwater Falls State Park. The tannic acid from fallen hemlock and red spruce needles gives the water its unique color.
The view is truly breathtaking as visitors can watch the river plunge down through the long gorge that is 8 miles long. The park where the falls are located is open all year long. There are many trails to choose from, as well as numerous spots where you can watch the majestic waterfall.
Guests who wish to stay overnight can also find refuge in the unique lodges and cabins inside the park. Those who want to connect with nature can choose to camp. Guests are advised to book reservations via phone, website, or at the campground office.
Tahquamenon Falls in Paradise, Michigan
The waterfall’s classic block shape easily makes Tahquamenon in Paradise, Michigan one of the best waterfalls in the US. Its wide block shape is about 50 feet tall and more than 200 feet wide. Its claim to fame is its kaleidoscopic effect which is a result of the natural tannin from the peatlands, giving the waters a brownish stain.
The Autumn foliage can add color to the idyllic landscape, at the right timing. To get there, visitors will hike their way through the well-kept and maintained trail which starts from a large parking lot. To get to the brink of the falls, visitors will walk 94 flights of stairs and have a great view from the top.
The waterfall is located in the Tahquamenon Falls State Park near Paradise in Luce County, Michigan, and is administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Havasu Falls in Grand Canyon, Arizona
Visitors who can bear the Arizona heat will enjoy the natural swimming pools at Havasu Falls. With waters at a comfortable 70 degrees Fahrenheit all year long, Havasu Falls is a perfect destination for those who want to take a refreshing swim.
Located at the bottom of the Havasu Canyon on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, Havasu Falls is accessible only by horseback or hiking. Its location is adjacent to the Grand Canyon National Park. Havasupai, meaning “people of the blue-green waters,” stays true to its name as the pools where the waters fall to is truly an enchanting sea of aquamarine waters.
The picturesque scenery is a feast for the eyes, with the red-rock cliffs contrasting the blue-green waters. The waterfall is managed by a tribe, so visitors are limited. Those who wish to visit are also advised to book reservations.
Waimoku Falls in Maui, Hawaii
Nestled into the Kipahulu District in the Haleakala National Park in Maui is the 400-foot tall Waimoku Falls. The waterfall is located at the end of the Pipiwai Trail, above Seven Sacred Pools. One of the tallest falls in Maui, Waimoku is a spectacular sight to behold and is a cult-favorite among nature-lovers and waterfall enthusiasts.
Once there, hikers are greeted with waters that drop down a sheer lava rock wall into a pool. Visitors are advised to wear sturdy shoes as you will be met with mud, water, and wind. Exercise caution when crossing the streams, too.
The trail, which follows the Pipiwai Stream, is considered one of the best hikes in Maui. To get there and back is a four-mile trip, gaining 650 feet in elevation. The hike takes about two and a half to five hours to complete, depending on skill and stamina.
Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls, Idaho
Idaho’s Shoshone Falls, often called the Niagara of the West, is a towering 212-foot waterfall, which is 36 feet taller than the famous Niagara Falls. At its most powerful, the falls extend across the entire 900-foot width of the canyon and spills into the Snake River below.
Depending on the water’s volume, solid walls of water or a few trickling streams flow from the falls. The best time to see that waterfall at full force is during the spring and early summer. The falls offer plenty of recreational facilities which include hiking trails, picnic careers, playgrounds, as well as a boat ramp and swimming area.
Guests can also partake in water sports such as canoeing, paddleboarding, and kayaking in nearby recreation areas. The cost for admission is $5.00 per car, and guests will also have to pay for admission at the recreation facilities.
Cascade Falls in Gile County, Virginia
With waters cascading over a 69-foot rocky ledge below the falls, Cascade Falls in Gile County, Virginia is true to its name. Some of the streams take a steep drop while some tumble over several ridges. The falls can be accessed via a 2-mile hike along Little Stony Creek.
Those who want to be a little more active outdoors take a second upper trail for the hike back to the base. During the winter, ice formations hang from the 200-foot cliff wall that surrounds the falls.
Vernal Fall in Yosemite, California
Vernal Fall is visible from a footbridge less than a mile into the Mist Trail or John Muir Trail in Yosemite National Park. Beyond the bridge, the two trails diverge.
Those who are up for the adventure can continue along the Mist Trail and climb 600 granite steps of “nature’s giant staircase” to the top of the 317-foot waterfall.
According to one of the National Park Service representatives, Vernal Fall is one of the better waterfalls to visit because it is fed by a spring and glacier, as well as snow melt. In comparison to the other falls in Yosemite, Vernal Fall is the best to view.
Bridal Veil Falls in Valdez, Alaska
Fifteen miles outside Valdez, Alaska is a waterfall that freezes during the winter. Called the Bridal Veil Falls, this nature’s masterpiece can be accessed by an ice climb route.
Bridal Veil Falls is actually one of the most accessible, widest, and lengthiest ice climbs along the Keystone Canyon. Its proximity to the ocean keeps water around freezing temperatures, unlike in other parts of the canyon with sub-arctic temperatures.
For those who aren’t in for the climb, the waterfall can still be viewed in all of its beauty via the two-mile Valdez Goat Trail.
Potato River Falls in Gurney, Wisconsin
Often called one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Wisconsin, Potato River Falls in Gurney, Wisconsin, is located at the end of the Potato River Falls Road in a country park. The waterfall, which is divided into Upper and Lower falls, plunges 90 feet into the river below.
Half-mile into the trail that leads to the Upper Falls is where hikers can access the top of the waterfall by following the river bank.
In autumn, visitors will be able to view the wonderful and vibrant fall colors which can be captured on camera.
Conclusion
Waterfalls serve as reminders to the world that the planet is filled with breathtaking landscapes that must be maintained and well-kept for future generations to come.
These 10 famous waterfalls in the United States serve as a testament to the beauty of nature and to the endless scenery there is to discover. Decide where to go and plan your itinerary to enjoy one of the greatest landscapes nature has to offer.
