Beautiful Waterfall Hiking Trails

1. Havasu Falls Trail, AZ

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?

2. Lower Yellowstone Falls Trail, WY

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.

3. Shoshone Falls Trail, ID

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.

4. Cummins Falls Trail, TN

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.

5. Taughannock Falls Trail, NY

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.

6. Alamere Falls Trail, CA

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.

7. Amicalola Falls Trail, GA

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.

8. Arethusa Falls Trail, NH

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.

9. DeSoto Falls Trail, Georgia

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

10. Burgess Falls Trail, TN

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.