The Top 10 Best US Waterfalls
10. GRAND FALLS (OF THE LITTLE COLORADO RIVER) [Navajo Indian Reservation, Arizona]
Despite this waterfall's short season, when it's on, it's one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the US. The muddy Little Colorado River spills over Grand Canyon-like cliffs as the stream meanders its way towards its bigger brother further to the west. Add to this the terraced layers leading to the three-step 181ft cumulative drop as well as a chocolate-like appearance that gained it a nickname of the "Chocolate Falls." Add it all up, we have to believe this is one of the most unique waterfalls found anywhere and hence earns a spot on the list. Click here to read more about this waterfall.
9. ALAMERE FALLS [Point Reyes National Seashore, California]
We've been flip flopping about picking this one over McWay Falls, but the one thing this one had going for it was its accessibility. Of course even as I say that, we still had to hike over 8 miles round trip, but the entire hike provided gorgeous coastal scenery. Then for the final act, we got to walk on the coarse sandy beach with this waterfall on one side and the waves of the Pacific Ocean crashing on the other. I have to believe it's one of the more surreal scenes in our home state of California, and that's enough to make me put this diminutive attraction amongst America's Top 10. Click here to read more about this waterfall.
8. CUMBERLAND FALLS [near Corbin, Kentucky]
They call this the Niagara of the South, and after seeing it for ourselves, we can totally see why! While this classically wide and rectangular waterfall is known for producing lunar rainbows (also known as moonbows), we were perfectly happy with the conventional rainbows arcing across its base during our visit. Adding to the already colorful scene were pretty Fall colors as well! And despite the park being completely free during our visit, the place still retained a rural countryside charm that seemed to be the norm in the South. Add it all up and now we can see what waterfallers in the South had known all along, and why no US top 10 list would be complete without it! Click here to read more about these waterfalls.
7. HAVASU FALLS [Havasupai Indian Reservation, Arizona]
Nestled deep in the remote Havasupai Indian Reservation (a side canyon of the world famous Grand Canyon in Northern Arizona), this special year-round waterfall is one of the most beautifully situated waterfalls in the country. Adding to its scenic allure are the blue-green waters of Havasu Creek, the travertine stalactites and dams surrounding the falls, and the red-rock scenery that makes the Grand Canyon possibly the nation's most visited National Park. Putting this unique waterfall on the list was a no-brainer. Click here to read more about this waterfall.
6. PALOUSE FALLS [LaCrosse, Washington]
Blasting our preconceived notions of the type of scenery we thought the state of Washington featured, this waterfall surprised us with its loud presence within a rugged and naturesque canyon that very much reminded us of kind of scenery we thought could be in Iceland. It was refreshing to see a waterfall like this in a setting that was left alone to let Nature decide how it should be seen and experienced, and thus deserved a spot on this list.Click here to read more about this waterfall.
5. MULTNOMAH FALLS
One of the most iconic waterfalls in the US, this is the star attraction of the famous Columbia River Gorge, which itself boasts numerous waterfalls - many of which are serious waterfalls themselves. But this 620ft year-round waterfall with a concrete arched bridge over its lower drop as well as a historic lodge fronting it always draws millions of visitors each year. And after our visit to this waterfall, we don't blame them! Click here to read more about this waterfall.
4. BRIDALVEIL FALL [Yosemite National Park, California]
While there are other similarly-sized waterfalls (or bigger) in the country, I'm partial to this 620ft year-rounder because its position frames Yosemite Valley (arguably the most beautiful valley in the world) opposite the imposing El Capitan. Ever heard of "The Gates of Yosemite Valley"? Indeed, this waterfall is part of the landscape imagery made famous by Ansel Adams and seen by just about every visitor thereafter (perhaps making it cliche to some). But on its own merits (ignoring the cliche aspect), there's no question it's one of the most beautifully situated waterfalls ever. Heck, the sight of the incomparable valley when we leave the Wawona Tunnel and head into the valley during spring still leaves a lump in my throat every time. Click here to read more about this waterfall.
3. LOWER FALLS (OF THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER) [Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming]
Including this over 300ft waterfall amongst America's Top 10 was compulsory. After all, its impossibly-scenic location at the head of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River makes this the must-see attraction of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. That's saying something considering the park is more famous for predictable geysers and an abundance of wildlife that some consider America's version of the Serengeti. Click here to read more about this waterfall.
2. YOSEMITE FALLS [Yosemite National Park, California]
***World's Top 10*** This 2425ft waterfall is one of the tallest in the world and widely considered the crown jewel of Yosemite National Park's plethora of cliff-diving waterfalls. The falls is enjoyable from numerous spots where you can drive to as well as hike to. The only catch with this beauty is that it dries up by mid to late Summer as it runs through its massive winter snowpack very quickly thanks to its relatively bare, unforgiving granite drainage. Nonetheless, if it can induce superlatives from the likes of Ansel Adams, John Muir, Thomas Ayres, Francois Matthes, James Hutchings, and more, there's a good chance it can do the same to you, too! Click here to read more about this waterfall.
1. NIAGARA FALLS [near Buffalo, New York]
***World's Top 10*** The Granddaddy of the waterfalls in the United States, it easily surpasses all others in the country in terms of sheer power, size, popularity, and more. Shared between Western New York in the USA and Southeastern Ontario in Canada, bring your passport and experience this world famous attraction from both sides as well as the plethora of activities on offer here. We consider this waterfall to be one of the World's Big Three so it easily occupies the top spot amongst America's Top 10. If you could only see one waterfall in the country, besides crying, make sure not to miss this one! Click here to read more about this waterfall.
What's YOUR Top 10 List?
Have your own Top 10 List?
Or do you have a favorite waterfall?
Is there one (or more) waterfalls that you think should've been on this list?
Any waterfalls you feel that shouldn't have been on this list?
Everybody has an opinion. What's yours?
Click here to see visitor comments
Click here to go to the Comments Main Page
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
My Personal Top 10 Favorite Waterfalls 
Like our host, I considered putting McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park on my list. It is one of the most beautiful spots on CA 1, but it is …
My Favorite (Chittenango Falls)
Although you have picked some of the best of the popular waterfalls, there are many more beautiful that are not as well known.
My overall favorite …
Tahquamenon Falls, Michigan
There are two distinct falls here, on the Tahquamenon River in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The Lower Falls are a series of rapids which drop maybe ten …
Cumberland Falls
I have only seen a couple of great falls, of course the other great falls I have seen was Niagara . I have also seen many beautiful small falls; Clifty …
Shoshone Falls in Idaho Not rated yet
Not sure why this isn't on most lists?
Yosemite National Park Not rated yet
The back drop to Vernal Falls and the hike is so pretty. Yosemite National Park is just breath taking all together.
Native East Tennesseean Not rated yet
This is not waterfall-specific, but I am pretty sure that the Grand Canyon is not even close to the most-visited US National Park. Unless things have changed, …
[Back to top]
[Go to the Regional Top 10 Lists of Best Waterfalls Page]
[Go to the Top 10 Best Waterfalls of the World Page]
[Return from Top 10 Best US Waterfalls to the World of Waterfalls Home Page]
|
Check out our other Top 10 Waterfalls Lists: |
or Comments
| My most successful backpacking trip was from Tuolumne Meadows to Glen Aulin with my two sons, my nephew, my oldest son's friend, and two of my best...[more] |
| Prior to the Mothers day landslide that killed 8 people and injured 50 others, on Mothers Day of 1999, Sacred Falls State Park was my favorite hike on this Island...[more] |
| It bode ill. "I can't remember the last time it rained," the man in Devonport had said. And there I was looking forward to photographing waterfalls. Things change though;...[more] |
| I visited a lot of water falls around the world, and since I'm from a desert country I miss the green and blue colors which I can see in the green or forests or lakes...[more] |
| This is one of my favorite waterfalls mostly because I can visit often. Sometimes I stop by on my lunch break. When the river is running high...[more] |
| I am 88 yrs old now, but when I was 50 (about?) my husband flew us in our Bonanza to Jungle Rudy's where we landed in the fields...[more] |
| When my father was alive, his family in Norway contacted him, stating that he had a lot of family there. His father came to the states at age 17 by himself...[more] |
| It has medicinal qualities, popularly called as the "Spa of the South." I visited the falls many times with family earlier and taken bath...[more] |