Exploring America’s waterfall trails offers hikers an unforgettable combination of natural beauty, soothing sounds, and often refreshing mist on hot days. These cascading wonders provide perfect destinations that reward your hiking efforts with spectacular views worth every step of the journey.
Here is a list of 20 exceptional waterfall hikes across the United States, ranging from accessible family-friendly paths to challenging backcountry adventures.
Havasu Falls Trail, Arizona
The turquoise waters of Havasu Falls contrast dramatically with the red rocks of the Grand Canyon, creating one of the most photographed waterfalls in America. This 10-mile trek requires a permit and reservation through the Havasupai Tribe, making it an exclusive adventure.
The challenging trail rewards hikers with not just Havasu Falls but access to several other stunning cascades, including Mooney Falls and Beaver Falls.
Multnomah Falls Trail, Oregon
Just 30 miles east of Portland in the Columbia River Gorge, Multnomah Falls plunges 620 feet in two dramatic tiers. The paved 2.2-mile loop trail includes the iconic Benson Bridge perfectly positioned between the upper and lower cascades.
Many visitors only walk the quarter-mile to the bridge, but continuing to the top provides superior views of the Columbia River and surrounding mountains.
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Mist Trail, Yosemite National Park, California
This signature Yosemite hike takes you alongside two magnificent waterfalls – Vernal and Nevada Falls. The trail earns its name from the refreshing spray that envelops hikers, particularly in spring when snowmelt creates powerful cascades.
The 7-mile round trip to both falls involves steep stone staircases and incredible views of Yosemite Valley that make the strenuous climb worthwhile.
Rainbow Falls Trail, Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
This moderate 5.4-mile round-trip hike in America’s most visited national park leads to an 80-foot waterfall where rainbows frequently appear in the mist on sunny days. The trail weaves through old-growth forest with massive hemlocks and tulip trees that have survived for centuries.
Spring brings an explosion of wildflowers along the path, adding to the trail’s natural beauty.
Cascade Falls Trail, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
This relatively short 4-mile round-trip trail offers one of the most accessible waterfall experiences in the Eastern U.S. The 66-foot cascade tumbles over ancient volcanic rocks in multiple tiers.
Fall brings spectacular colors as the surrounding maple and oak trees change, making it especially popular in October when the forest glows with autumn hues.
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Tahquamenon Falls Trail, Michigan
The Upper Tahquamenon Falls drops nearly 50 feet and stretches more than 200 feet across, making it one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. The amber-colored water, stained by tannins from cedar swamps, gives these falls their distinctive caramel appearance.
The 4-mile trail system includes boardwalks and viewing platforms that make this natural wonder accessible to hikers of all abilities.
Hanging Lake Trail, Colorado
This short but steep 3-mile round-trip trail ascends over 1,000 feet to reach a rare geological wonder—a lake that seems to hang off the edge of a cliff. Multiple waterfalls feed this turquoise alpine lake, creating an almost otherworldly scene.
The trail’s popularity has led to a permit system, preserving the fragile ecosystem while ensuring visitors can experience its beauty.
Buttermilk Falls Trail, New York
Located in the Finger Lakes region, this 1.6-mile loop showcases a series of cascades that descend 600 feet through a dramatic gorge. Stone staircases parallel the falls, allowing hikers to climb alongside the rushing water.
The trail connects to the longer Finger Lakes Trail system, offering options to extend your hike through the beautiful hardwood forests characteristic of upstate New York.
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Akaka Falls Loop Trail, Hawaii
This paved 0.4-mile loop trail on the Big Island provides access to two spectacular waterfalls—the 100-foot Kahuna Falls and the 442-foot Akaka Falls. Lush tropical vegetation, including bamboo groves, orchids, and ferns, lines the path, creating a rainforest experience unlike anything in the continental U.S.
The short distance makes this trail perfect for families and those with limited hiking experience.
Cloudland Canyon Waterfalls Trail, Georgia
Two breathtaking waterfalls reward hikers on this moderately challenging 2-mile round-trip in Georgia’s Cloudland Canyon State Park. Cherokee Falls and Hemlock Falls both plunge over 60 feet into the canyon below.
The trail descends via more than 600 stairs before climbing back up, making the return journey the most strenuous part of the experience.
Silver Falls Trail, Oregon
The Trail of Ten Falls in Silver Falls State Park offers exactly what its name promises—an 8.7-mile loop passing ten different waterfalls, four of which allow hikers to walk behind the cascading water. South Falls, with its 177-foot drop, is the most photographed waterfall in the park.
The moderate trail winds through temperate rainforest with ancient Douglas firs, creating a primeval atmosphere.
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Cumberland Falls Trail, Kentucky
Known as the ‘Niagara of the South,’ Cumberland Falls spans 125 feet across the Cumberland River, dropping 60 feet into a deep gorge. The 2-mile trail offers multiple viewing perspectives of this mighty waterfall, which features a rare phenomenon – a predictable moonbow or lunar rainbow visible during full moons on clear nights.
The relatively flat trail makes this natural wonder accessible to hikers of all abilities.
Ricketts Glen Falls Trail, Pennsylvania
This challenging 7.2-mile loop passes 21 named waterfalls ranging from 11 to 94 feet high, making it perhaps the most waterfall-dense trail in America. The Falls Trail winds through an ancient forest filled with massive trees and rock formations dating back to the ice age.
Sturdy footwear is essential as the trail becomes slippery near waterfalls, particularly after rainfall or during spring thaws.
Laurel Falls Trail, Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
This paved 2.6-mile round-trip trail provides one of the most accessible waterfall experiences in the national park system. The 80-foot Laurel Falls cascades in multiple tiers through a lush hardwood forest that bursts with mountain laurel blooms in spring.
The trail’s relatively gentle grade makes it popular with families, while the waterfall’s beauty attracts photographers throughout the year.
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Fairy Falls Trail, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
This 5-mile round-trip hike leads to a slender 200-foot cascade tucked within a pristine pine forest. The trail also offers views of the colorful Grand Prismatic Spring from an elevated overlook, providing two distinct natural wonders in one hike.
Wildlife sightings, including bison and elk, add to the experience as you traverse the young forests growing after the 1988 Yellowstone fires.
Upper Whitewater Falls Trail, North Carolina
The highest waterfall east of the Rockies, Upper Whitewater Falls drops an impressive 411 feet through a steep, forested gorge. The quarter-mile paved walkway to the main overlook makes viewing the falls accessible to almost everyone. At the same time, a more challenging trail with 154 stairs leads to a lower overlook with a different perspective.
The surrounding temperate rainforest receives over 80 inches of rainfall annually, ensuring powerful cascades year-round.
Trail of the Cedars to Avalanche Lake, Montana
This 4.5-mile round trip in Glacier National Park begins on an accessible boardwalk through an ancient cedar grove before continuing to a stunning alpine lake fed by multiple waterfalls cascading thousands of feet down the surrounding mountain faces. The trail follows Avalanche Creek, featuring beautiful, smaller cascades along the way.
Early summer hiking reveals wildflower meadows and peak waterfall volume from snowmelt.
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Burgess Falls Trail, Tennessee
Four increasingly impressive waterfalls reward hikers on this 1.5-mile round-trip trail about 70 miles east of Nashville. The final cascade plunges 130 feet into a deep pool surrounded by limestone bluffs.
A variety of overlooks and viewing platforms provide multiple perspectives of each waterfall, making this a photographer’s dream destination.
Waimoku Falls Trail, Hawaii
Also known as the Pipiwai Trail, this 4-mile round-trip hike on Maui winds through a bamboo forest so dense that the bamboo stalks create their soundtrack, clicking together in the breeze. The trail culminates at the 400-foot Waimoku Falls, which streams down a sheer lava rock wall.
The path also passes the impressive 185-foot Makahiku Falls, offering two significant waterfalls on one trail.
Bridal Veil Falls Trail, Utah
This family-friendly 1.4-mile round-trip leads to a 607-foot waterfall that widens as it descends, creating a bridal veil effect. Located in Provo Canyon, the trail remains accessible nearly year-round, with winter hikers often finding the falls transformed into spectacular ice formations.
The path’s gentle grade makes it suitable for hikers of all ages and abilities, while the impressive cascade ensures satisfaction for even experienced waterfall enthusiasts.
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Nature’s Powerful Symphony
America’s waterfall trails offer more than spectacular scenery—they provide multisensory experiences where the sound of rushing water, the feel of cool mist, and sometimes even the taste of clean mountain air come together in perfect harmony.
These twenty trails represent some of the finest examples of nature’s power and beauty, accessible through pathways that range from brief walks to challenging adventures. Whether you’re a dedicated waterfall chaser or simply someone who appreciates natural wonders, these trails connect us to the dynamic, ever-changing landscape that makes American wilderness so captivating.
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