10 U.S. Waterfalls That Will Take Your Breath Away

When most people think about great American sightseeing destinations, they think of our famous canyons and parks. Bring up waterfalls, however, and they immediately picture far away lands and tropical forest vistas with the perfect waterfall centerpiece.

The truth is, our great nation has plenty of spectacular waterfalls you could visit without paying an arm and a leg, as you would for international travel. We think it’s time we showcased them and show them the appreciation that they deserve so that you too could add them to your sightseeing bucket list!

With that said, click NEXT to find out more and let us know your favorites in the comments down below!

10: Tahquamenon Falls, Michigan

Plenty of people describe Tahquamenon Falls as heaven on earth. Located in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan, this small cluster of waterfalls are nothing short of beautiful, particularly due to the several paved paths you can take within the forest area in order to glimpse the majestic waterfalls from different angles.

The most impressive is the one known as the Upper Tahquamenon Falls, a 50-foot drop that is the perfect backdrop for any family photo. Further downstream you’ll come across the Lower Tahquamenon Falls made out of five lesser declines that continue on towards Lake Superior.

Along the route you’ll find three sections of stairs that photographers flock to regularly in order to snap an ideal photo, so make sure you bring a good camera with you and try to find the perfect frame!

9: Alamere Falls, California

Alamere Falls is unique in more ways than one. Not only is it stunning to look at and listen to, but it’s always quite a sightseeing gift for those brave and active enough to manage the eight and a half miles hike towards it.

Since it flows directly into the ocean, it’s actually known as a tidefall. So if you plan on visiting, you could actually go for a dip after a little bit of sunbathing! Trust us, you’ll need it. Plenty of visitors have described the trail towards Alamere Falls as scary thanks to both wide and narrow areas you’re going to have to pass through.

All in all, this coastal scenery is well worth the effort!

8: Cumberland Falls, Kentucky

For a truly magical sight, make sure to visit the heart of Kentucky where you’ll find Cumberland Falls. This waterfall flows over 60 feet of boulders, creating magical looking mist, perfect for romantic photoshoots.

But this particular waterfall is great not just for sightseers and hikers, it also attracts plenty of canoeing, white water rafting, and kayaking enthusiasts.

There’s also a gift shop for you to buy all the trinkets for your journey and, a little ways ahead, you’ll find the Cumberland Mining Company. Here, you can partake in gem mining. Here you can discover gemstones of all shapes and sizes, in addition to the rare and exciting fossils.

All of this and more await you, including 17 breathtaking miles to hike!

7: Havasu Falls, Grand Canyon, Arizona

You don’t have to search far and wide for that tropical-like view, you can find it here in the U.S. if you visit Havasu Falls, located on the Havasupai Tribe reservation. Its vibrant blue-green color is all thanks to travertine, which comes from limestone.

Another unique aspect of this waterfall is the fact that it’s located in the heart of the desert, not too far from the Grand Canyon National Park! So, if you’re ever in the neighborhood, make sure to pay it a visit.

You could go camping with backpack mules for a truly authentic experience, after which you can set up camp. But if you’re not a fan of camping, you can stop by the Havasupai Lodge, located just two miles away from the falls. Consider joining a planned tour, and if you’re looking for a real treat, you could even hire a helicopter ride!

6: Palouse Falls, Washington

How about paying a visit to Washington’s official state waterfalls, the Palouse Falls? This breathtaking falls is surrounded by a canyon and is named after the Palouse Indians, the current inhabitants of the area.

Following the Palouse River, you’ll eventually find this waterfall. We suggest visiting the Palouse State Park for a pleasant hike through nature, which opens up a panoramic view of the waterfall, unlike anything you’ve ever seen. You can either hike around the park, camp, bird watch or set up a nice picnic, all within view of Palouse Falls!

5: Upper and Lower Yellowstone Falls, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Tucked within the Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, you’ll find the Upper and Lower Yellowstone Falls. Combined with Crystal Falls, this area is known as the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone- with a name like that you know you have to add it to your travel itinerary if you’re ever in the area, especially if you’re a fan of the Grand Canyon.

Whether you’re an experienced hiker or not, these waterfalls are worth the visit, though experienced hikers will get a far better view after tackling the difficult trail!

And don’t let the names confuse you. The Lower Falls are actually bigger than the Upper Falls. There are plenty of platforms set up for your viewing pleasure such as the Red Rock Point and Artist Point, the South Rim Trail, and the Brink of the Lower Falls.

4: Multnomah Falls, Oregon

Totaling a 620-foot drop, the Multnomah Falls is truly a sight to behold. It all starts with 542 feet in the upper falls. The second section reaches 69 feet, with a remaining 9-foot drop at the very bottom. Words cannot properly encompass the scale of this waterfall, neither can they properly describe the lush green forest that surrounds it!

You can visit it by taking the trail that leads to the Benson Footbridge and hikers can continue going up towards the upper falls, if they’re up for it! It’s well worth the effort, though, as the top offers a perfect view of the Columbia Gorge as well as the Little Multnomah falls!

3: Shoshone Falls, Twin Falls, Idaho

The Snake River has much to offer in the way of bountiful beauty. The most fantastic is the Shoshone Falls. The falls is at its most flourishing in spring and early summer when the snow impacts the flow of water.

But there cannot be a time when it is not an incredible vision. The Shoshone Falls is blended with Dierkes Park where visitors can relax while having a picnic and savor the sight of the beautiful natural falls from many points in the park.

2: Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park, California

For our number two spot, we simply had to showcase the magnificent Yosemite Falls, the tallest Waterfall in the U.S. It’s actually a combination of three falls, with the tallest at 1430 feet high, known as Upper Yosemite Fall. The Lower Yosemite Falls is also over 320 feet tall!

Luckily, it can be observed from many places in the Yosemite Valley, so you can pick a hiking trail you’re most comfortable with. Just make sure to also visit the Yosemite Lodge and Yosemite Village while you’re at it!

Of course, if you’d like to get up close and personal with this magnificent waterfall, there are plenty of escorted hikes you can join!

1: Niagara Falls, New York

Finally, we couldn’t leave out Niagara Falls, one of the most famous waterfalls in the whole world, right on our doorstep. In terms of volume, it’s the largest waterfalls in the nation and it is composed of three different waterfalls, American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and of course the Horseshoe Falls.

From May through October, you can visit the Horseshoe Falls via the Maid of the Mist boat, a very popular tourist attraction. For the best view of the Bridal Falls, take the glass elevator to the Prospect Observation Tower to the Cave of the Winds Tour! The park offers so much more, though, all tucked in 400 acres of wildlife!

We highly recommend bringing your rain gear and also visiting during the night for a view like no other thanks to different lights setting the waterfall ‘ablaze’.