Guidebooks Don’t Tell You About These 14 Must-See Waterfalls in West US

There’s nothing quite like stumbling upon a hidden waterfall during a hike, especially when it’s one you never knew existed. From the booming sound of water cascading over rocks to the cool, misty air that greets you, Mother Nature never runs out of surprises. Cruising through the American West in my trusty van, I stumbled upon some pretty spectacular waterfalls that don’t make it into the usual guidebooks.

From hidden cascades to pounding falls onto beaches, I’m thrilled to take you on a tour of 14 must-see waterfalls in the western United States that are a bit off the beaten path.

1. Burney Falls, California

Burney Falls is often described as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in California. It was even once said to be called “the Eighth Wonder of the World” by President Theodore Roosevelt. I’m not sure I would go that far, but it’s certainly a stunning sight to see.

Falling into McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, this dazzling cascade drops 129 feet and pumps out roughly 100 million gallons of water every day, even in the driest summer months. The water comes from underground springs that feed Burney Creek, and the constant flow of clear, cold water creates an ethereal mist all year round.

How to Visit: About an hour from the town of Redding, the park entrance fee is $10 per vehicle, which includes access to the falls. There are several viewing areas around the falls, including a short hike down to the base where you can feel the mist from the cascading water or venture on the 1-mile Falls Loop Trail.

Travel Tip! For much of the remainder of the 2024 season, you won’t be able to get close to the falls as the trails are closed for improvements.

2. Iron Creek Falls, Washington

This was one of my favorite hidden gem discoveries on my Pacific vanlife trip. It may not be the largest, but in the greenery of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Iron Creek Falls presents a picturesque scene straight out of a fairy tale. 

This scenic waterfall plummets approximately 40 feet into a calm, emerald pool surrounded by moss-covered rocks and towering trees. The sound of cascading water and the refreshing mist make it a perfect spot to try out long-exposure photography.

How to Visit: Located just off Forest Road 25, the waterfall is easily accessible via a short, well-marked trail. The trailhead is near a parking area about 2 hours from Portland and 3.5 hours from Seattle.

3. Hanging Falls, Colorado

This off-the-beaten-path waterfall in the Glenwood Springs area requires a bit of hiking, but it is absolutely magnificent. It almost looks like the famous Plitvice Falls in Croatia but without the crowds.

The waterfall cascades down a series of terraced rock formations, creating a cascade of crystal-clear water that glistens in the sunlight. Overhead, tree branches form a natural canopy, allowing dappled sunlight to filter through and create an ultra-blue hue. 

How to Visit: The trailhead for Hanging Falls is located at the end of a dirt road off of Transfer Trail near Glenwood Springs. The hike to the waterfall is approximately 4 miles round-trip and takes about 2-3 hours.

4. Grand Falls, Arizona

Known as “Chocolate Falls,” this 185-foot waterfall is completely brown due to the high silt content carried by the Little Colorado River. Located in the Navajo Nation near Flagstaff, Grand Falls is actually taller than Niagara Falls and only flows during certain times of the year.

Water cascades down a series of rocky terraces, creating a thunderous roar and a magnificent spray that refracts sunlight into shimmering arcs. The best time to visit is after heavy rainfall or snowmelt in late spring or early summer.

How to Visit: Grand Falls is located on the Navajo Nation land, about 30 miles northeast of Flagstaff, Arizona. You’ll need a high-clearance vehicle to reach this wonder, as the final approach is on a rough, dirt road. A short, easy walk from the parking area will bring you right up to the edge of this falls,

5. Palouse Falls, Washington

Palouse Falls is the kind of waterfall that looks like it belongs in a movie set! This 198-foot waterfall has a unique shape, cascading down a dramatic gorge carved by the Palouse River than a traditional vertical drop. The falls are framed by steep basalt cliffs.

Apart from being beautiful to look at, Palouse Falls also has cultural significance, as it was designated the official state waterfall of Washington in 2014. Fun fact: one section of Palouse Falls even creates the illusion of twin falls during periods of high water flow.

How to Visit: Palouse Falls is located in southeastern Washington, approximately 100 miles southwest of Spokane. To get there, take Highway 261 towards Palouse Falls State Park. There’s a designated viewing area to view the falls, or you can take a challenging trail that leads down to the river’s edge.

6. Hamilton Pool Preserve, Texas

A natural swimming hole formed from a collapsed grotto, Hamilton Pool Preserve looks like a cenote straight out of Yucatan, Mexico. A waterfall pours over a limestone ledge into a jade-green pool below. The unique cave formed behind the falls creates a natural amphitheater where you can relax and listen to the soothing sound of water while being shaded by large stalactites. The pool itself is surrounded by lush vegetation and rugged cliffs.

At 50 feet tall, the waterfall at Hamilton Pool Preserve is not the tallest on our list, but its distinctive setting and environment make it a must-visit location. The pool’s water comes from Hamilton Creek, which trickles year-round.

How to Visit: Hamilton Pool Preserve is located about 23 miles west, perfect for a day trip from Austin, Texas. To manage the influx of visitors, the park requires reservations, which can be made online. The trail to the pool is a moderately steep descent and about a quarter-mile long.

7. Kanarra Falls, Utah

Kanarra Falls is a smaller version of Zion’s The Narrows, where you will wade to find a series of waterfalls cascading into a narrow slot canyon. The journey begins with a 1.5-mile hike through Kanarraville and then climbs up the creek’s flat-bottomed valley to reach the first waterfall.

After the initial climb, expect to hike through shallow waters and boulder fields as you make your way deeper into the canyon. Along the route, there are three different waterfalls.

How to Visit: Kanarra Falls is located in the small town of Kanarraville, about 40 minutes from Zion National Park. A permit is required for this hike, which can be obtained online or at the trailhead’s front entrance. The hike is about 4.8 miles round trip and involves some wading through water.

8. Avalanche Lake Falls, Glacier National Park, Montana

Avalanche Lake is a popular hiking destination in Glacier National Park, but many visitors don’t know about the beautiful waterfall cascading down the mountain’s side. Once you arrive at the edge of the mountain lake, you’ll spot a beautiful collection of waterfalls cascading down the sheer cliffs into the turquoise waters below. 

With a dramatic drop of around 500 feet, these falls are especially impressive in early summer when the snowmelt significantly boosts their flow.

How to Visit: To get to Avalanche Lake Falls, head to Glacier National Park in Montana. Start at the Trail of the Cedars in Glacier National Park and follow the Avalanche Lake Trail along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The hike to the lake is about 4.5 miles round-trip, through old-growth forest and alongside Avalanche Creek.

9. Alamere Falls, California

Alamere Falls is a stunning coastal waterfall that plunges directly onto a sandy beach down the cliffsides amidst the windswept beauty of Point Reyes National Seashore. This 40-foot cascade is divided into two separate sections: one that flows over a cliff and another that flows down a rocky slope to the beach below. 

The cool thing about Alamere Falls is that it flows year-round but is particularly impressive after a nice rainfall.

How to Visit: To reach Alamere Falls, you’ll take an 8.4-mile round-trip hike through the scenery of Point Reyes, starting at the Palomarin Trailhead. The final stretch involves a somewhat challenging descent down the coastal bluffs. It’s recommended to go during low tide so you can access the beach and see the waterfall up close. 

10. McWay Falls, Big Sur, California

McWay Falls is like a state park out of a paradise dream! This 80-foot waterfall plunges from granite cliffs right onto a pristine sandy beach that meets the turquoise Pacific Ocean. It’s one of the few waterfalls in the world that empties directly into the ocean. 

The cascade is surrounded by lush vegetation and dramatic coastal cliffs within Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and can easily be viewed from an overlook on Highway 1. 

How to Visit: You can view the falls right from Highway 1. Otherwise, a short, easy path from the parking area leads to a viewing platform where you can get a fantastic view of the falls. Note that you cannot access the beach itself, but the vantage point is very good. The trail is less than a mile round-trip.

11. Havasu Falls, Arizona

Havasu Falls is one of the most sought-after waterfalls in the United States, and for good reason. Located within the Havasupai Indian Reservation in Arizona, this 100-foot waterfall features bright blue-green waters that contrast beautifully against the orange-red rocks of the Grand Canyon.

To reach Havasu Falls, you’ll need to take a long hike or ride a mule down into the canyon. But once you arrive, you can swim in the pools beneath the falls or camp nearby and wake up to this gorgeous view every day you are permitted to.

How to Visit: To visit Havasu Falls, you must make reservations through the tribe’s official website, as permits are very limited. The hike to Havasu Falls is a challenging 10-mile trek from the Hualapai Hilltop.

12. Lower Falls, Yellowstone Falls, Wyoming

If you thought Yellowstone was just geothermal features, prepare to be wowed by Lower Falls. Standing at a colossal 308 feet, it’s almost twice the height of Niagara Falls and drops into the stunning Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. 

Besides being extraordinarily tall, the force and spectacle of the water plunging down is absolutely thunderous. During peak flow in late spring and early summer, nearly 63,500 gallons of water per second flow over Lower Falls!

How to Visit: The falls can be viewed from several vantage points along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, such as Artist Point and Lookout Point. Uncle Tom’s Trail gets you a spectacular vantage point nearer to the base of the falls; just be prepared for a steep climb down!

13. Multnomah Falls, Oregon

Multnomah Falls is one of the tallest year-round waterfalls in the United States, standing at an impressive 620 feet tall. This iconic waterfall has been featured in many films and TV productions, including “The Goonies” and “Twin Peaks.” Although this is very famous, it’s just too beautiful to leave off this list.

With the iconic Benson Bridge strategically placed between the two tiers, you’ve got an unbeatable spot for those Instagram-worthy snapshots. Located along the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, this two-tiered waterfall is easily accessible and a must-see for anyone traveling through the area.

How to Visit: Head to the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, just a 30-minute drive from Portland. You can get a good view of the falls right from the parking area, but take the short paved pathway up to the Benson Bridge. You can also continue the hike to the top of the falls for a full 2.4-mile round-trip journey.  

14. Snoqualmie Falls, Washington

Snoqualmie Falls is a popular tourist destination in Washington, located just 30 minutes from Seattle. Plummeting a whopping 268 feet, it’s not just the height that’s impressive—Snoqualmie Falls packs a powerful punch with its thunderous roar that can be heard from quite a distance. Fun fact: this waterfall is actually higher than the famous Niagara Falls!

The falls are sacred to the Snoqualmie people, who believe that the mist from the falls connects Heaven and Earth.

How to Visit: About a 40-minute drive from Seattle, there are two main viewpoints for Snoqualmie Falls – one at the top and one at the bottom. The lower viewpoint offers a closer look at the base of the falls, and you can also walk down to get an even better view. The upper viewpoint provides a panoramic view of both tiers of the waterfall.

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