Beautiful Waterfall Hiking Trails
By VacationIdea Staff | Affiliate Disclosure
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Why do passionate hikers love waterfall hikes?
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There is nothing as pleasant to passionate hikers as
reaching a spectacular, awe-inspiring waterfall
at the end of a strenuous hike.
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Are all waterfall hikes easy to access?
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While many waterfalls are located in
popular parks and are fairly easily accessible,
some require more challenging hikes that demand
experience and skills.
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Where can hikers find the best waterfall hikes in the U.S.?
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From several fantastic falls in
Yosemite Park to a lush oasis
at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, these
waterfall hikes are among the most
favorite hiking destinations in the United States.
Best Time to Visit Waterfall Hiking Trails
- March to May – Spring rains and snowmelt bring waterfalls to life and trails burst with greenery.
- April & May – Ideal for moderate temps, blooming wildflowers, and peak waterfall flow.
- June to August – Popular for summer hikes and swimming near falls, but trails can be hot and crowded.
- September to November – Cool air and fall colors add magic to scenic waterfall hikes.
- December to February – Quiet trails and frozen falls offer a serene, wintry hiking experience.
Unique Waterfalls
⮕ Havasu Falls Trail, AZ
Hike desert canyons to turquoise waterfalls—an exciting, bucket-list trip for adventurous couples.
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Located on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, at the bottom of the Grand Canyon near the town of Supai, Arizona, the Havasu Falls are a breathtaking lush oasis in the middle of the Arizona desert. Considered one of the most beautiful and most famous waterfalls in the world, Havasu is not easy to reach as you need to hike 10 miles to the campground all the way down the steep, dry canyon slopes. Havasu Falls Trail is not a hike you can do in a day and it is actually not allowed to do it as a day hike. Resting in the campground before going the hard way back up is a good idea. There are, of course, easier ways: You can hire one of the reputable tour companies with mules or even hop on a helicopter; but where is the fun in that?
⮕ Lower Yellowstone Falls Trail, WY
See roaring canyon views or photograph dramatic drops on a thrilling national park hike.
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Lower Falls is the biggest and the most famous of all of Yellowstone’s waterfalls. You can see the spectacular 308-foot-tall waterfall from many different points – from the east from Inspiration Point, Lookout Point, and Grandview Point and from the west from Artist’s Point. Most of them require just a short trek. The Lower Yellowstone Falls Trail that runs to the top of the falls is about three quarters of a mile both ways, but it is really steep and has many switchbacks. If you want to challenge yourself, you can take Uncle Tom’s Trail to the bottom of Lower Falls, a tough hike down 500 feet along a metal staircase. Be prepared for the 328 steps down a steep-walled canyon. The view of the Lower Falls from the bottom of this trail is spectacular.
Romantic Waterfall Hikes
⮕ Shoshone Falls Trail, ID
Admire “Niagara of the West” or stroll scenic overlooks during a quick, unusual outing.
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Higher than Niagara Falls at 212 feet and more than 1,000 feet wide, Shoshone Falls on Snake River offers a spectacular show any time of the year. Close to the City of Twin Falls, the falls are part of the Shoshone Falls/Dierkes Lake Complex, which adds to the falls’ attraction by offering beautiful picnic areas in the park that surrounds the falls, such as a swimming area, kids’ playground, and hiking trails. There are many observation spots to enjoy the falls and the magnificent gorge below, all never more than a 100-foot short walk from the parking lot along the Shoshone Falls Trail.
⮕ Cummins Falls Trail, TN
Scramble rocky paths or swim below the falls—great for a fun family trip.
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At about 75 feet high, Cummins Falls is among the highest and largest falls in Tennessee. Located in 211-acre Cummins Falls State Park, the falls is the main attraction of this charming but rugged park 9 miles from Cookeville, located on the Blackburn Fork State Scenic River. To reach the falls, you have to hike up the stream bed through the spectacular Tennessee River Gorge. The roughly 3-mile Cummins Falls Trail is downhill all the way, which means that you will have to climb on the way back. It is slippery, requires several crossings of the stream, and is not for the inexperienced. However, the falls are beautiful and the dip in the swimming hole will make it worthwhile.
Waterfalls for Families
⮕ Taughannock Falls Trail, NY
Walk riverside paths to towering falls on a peaceful spring day trip.
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Taughannock Falls is, at 215 feet, 30 feet higher than Niagara and one of the most beautiful falls in New York state. Located in Taughannock Falls State Park, the falls can be reached by hiking a short, flat, and easy trail along the bottom of the gorge. You can also try the South Rim Trail, one of two rim trails that take you away from the crowds. This 1.2-mile fairly easy Taughannock Falls Trail runs along the southern rim of the gorge on a gentle slope, with two steep staircases at the end. The views of the upper gorge are spectacular. You can combine this trail with the North Rim Trail to make a loop hike of the falls and the gorge.
⮕ Alamere Falls Trail, CA
Hike coastal cliffs to a beach waterfall—perfect for a romantic weekend escape.
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Alamere Falls is located deep in the Phillip Burton Wilderness, near the town of Bolinas, California. The falls’ water spills over a 30-foot-high cliff onto the end of Wildcat Beach. The Alamere Falls Trail to reach the beach and the bottom of the falls is a 13-mile trip both ways and it can get crowded – it is very popular. Most of the trail is shaded and pleasant and there are only two steep parts.
⮕ Amicalola Falls Trail, GA
Climb steep steps or admire one of Georgia’s tallest falls on a fall adventure.
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Located in Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia, Amicalola Falls drops from a massive cliff down 730 feet in multiple cascades of white frothing water and mist. The hike along the
Amicalola Falls Trail to reach the crest of this huge waterfall is 1 mile long, providing you with fantastic views from the top of the falls before descending along the falls over stairs and bridges.
Trails For Photographers
⮕ Arethusa Falls Trail, NH
Explore wooded terrain or see icy cascades—ideal for an affordable winter hike.
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Located in Harts Location, New Hampshire, Arethusa Falls can be found at the end of Crawford Notch State Park. The 160-feet falls are considered one of the most scenic in the state. The Arethusa Falls Trail to the falls is perfect for a family outing, but you will be hiking the White Mountains, so expect rocks and exposed tree roots and a 900-foot climb over the 1.5 mile hike.
⮕ DeSoto Falls Trail, Georgia
Follow scenic forest paths or rest by the falls during a quiet retirement outing.
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Located near Helen in Georgia, the DeSoto Falls Trail is a pleasant and easy/moderate 2.2 mile out-and-back hiking trail which will lead you to two pretty waterfalls. The surrounding forests are particularly attractive, filled with tumbling creeks and lush rhododendrons. This is a shady trail which should suit the whole family as there is a very moderate elevation as you make your way to the waterfalls. Once you reach the top falls you will find a viewing platform which doubles as a scenic mid-hike picnic spot. Hikers are advised not to step into the water or onto the slippery rocks.
DeSoto Falls Trail, South of Hiawassee, North Georgia
⮕ Burgess Falls Trail, TN
View multiple cascades or hike along rugged cliffs on an exciting and easy trip.
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Burgess Falls consists of four falls in Burgess Falls State Park on the Falling Water River, which drop in cascades more than 250 feet. The last of the falls plunges over 130 feet into the bottom of the gorge. There is a 1.5-mile fairly strenuous steep loop trail called River Trail/Service Road, which will take you past the edge of the waterfalls down very rustic stairs into the gorge. The Burgess Falls Trail and the falls are very beautiful and scenic and can get crowded.
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