OutsideJun 17, 2026
We Tracked Down the 50 Best Waterfall Hikes in America—One in Every State
Free-hanging waterfalls, thundering cascades, and rapids hemmed in brilliant moss: No matter what you're looking for, you can find it in a state near you.
25 things in this story
- Pipiwai TrailTrailHike through bamboo forest to Waimoku Falls.
- Makahiku FallsSightAn appetizer cascade just a half-mile from the Pipiwai Trailhead.
- Elsewhere
- Yosemite FallsSightYosemite National Park, United StatesFifth tallest waterfall in the world at 2,425 feet.
- Yosemite Falls TrailTrailYosemite National Park, United States7.2-mile trail to the upper falls.
- Horsetail FallsSightValdez, United StatesA 300-foot braided wonder tumbling down a verdant hillside.
- Kent FallsSightKent, United StatesConnecticut's tallest waterfall at 250 feet, multi-stepped beauty.
- Continental FallsSightBreckenridge, United States225-foot roaring, multi-tier cascade flanked by spruce trees.
- Keystone Canyon Pack TrailTrailValdez, United StatesTrail to Horsetail Falls with mountain and river valley views.
- Hemmed-In Hollow TrailTrailJasper, United StatesChallenging hike to a towering waterfall tucked into a hollow.
- Buffalo National RiverSightJasper, United StatesLeisurely float option to reach Hemmed-In Hollow Falls.
- Red and Yellow trailsTrailKent, United StatesRoutes to the falls featuring steep terrain.
- Spruce Creek TrailTrailBreckenridge, United StatesLeads to the base of Continental Falls.
- Mohawk Lakes TrailTrailBreckenridge, United StatesContinues past Continental Falls to six additional alpine lakes.
- Alapocas RunTrailWilmington, United StatesOffers low falls and unique rock faces along a mixed-surface path.
- Brandywine CreekSightWilmington, United StatesCreek offering low falls and unique rock faces.
- Falling Waters SinkSightChipley, United StatesA creek plummets 73 feet into a sinkhole.
- Wiregrass TrailTrailChipley, United StatesEasy, looping stroll to Falling Waters Sink.
- Panther Creek FallsSightClayton, United StatesPicturesque falls with a swimming hole at the bottom.
- Shoshone FallsSightTwin Falls, United StatesImpressively broad, 212-foot cascade surging with snowmelt.
- Canyon Rim TrailTrailTwin Falls, United StatesLesser-used trail to hike to the bottom of Shoshone Falls.
- Havasu FallsSightSupai, United StatesStunning blue-green cascade just above the Grand Canyon floor.
- Havasupai TrailTrailSupai, United States10-mile one-way trek to reach the falls and campground.
- Wildcat Canyon WaterfallSightUtica, United StatesThe crown jewel of Starved Rock State Park's gorges.
- Clifty FallsSightMadison, United States
- Little CliftySightMadison, United States
