America’s Most Jaw-Dropping Waterfalls Ranked – You Have to See #1
For some reason, watching a waterfall up close stirs the soul. Maybe it’s the unrelenting force of water crashing down, the cool mist rising into the air, or the simple reminder that nature has a way of creating beauty without trying. The United States is home to some of the most breathtaking waterfalls that must be experienced at least once. Let’s discuss some of them below.
Waimoku Falls – Maui, Hawaii
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A waterfall like Waimoku doesn’t just appear—it reveals itself. Tucked at the end of the Pipiwai Trail in Haleakalā National Park, this 400-foot stunner is the kind of place that makes you feel small in the best way possible. The trail leading here winds through a bamboo forest, where the wind rattles the hollow stalks like wooden chimes. Then, after climbing over gnarled roots and crossing footbridges, the forest suddenly opens, and there it is—Waimoku. If you catch it after heavy rain, the force is incredible, but even in drier months, it’s a sight to behold.
Blackwater Falls – Davis, West Virginia
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Not all waterfalls get their beauty from height. Blackwater Falls, plunging just 57 feet in the rugged Allegheny Mountains, earns its name from the dark amber color of its water, stained by tannins from fallen hemlocks and red spruce trees. But that’s just part of its charm. This is one of those places where the surroundings make the scene. The best part is that you don’t need to be a hardcore hiker to enjoy it. A short walk will lead you to a series of wooden overlooks, each with a slightly different angle of the roaring falls.
Tahquamenon Falls – Michigan
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Step aside, Niagara—Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has a waterfall that holds its own. Tahquamenon Falls is an absolute force of nature. The Upper Falls stretches over 200 feet across and plunges nearly 50 feet with a deep, rusty-brown rush, thanks to the tannins leaching from nearby cedar swamps. In spring, when the snowmelt fuels its fury, it can push over 50,000 gallons per second. The Lower Falls, a series of smaller cascades, is just as stunning, with an island in the middle that you can wade out to.
Havasu Falls – Grand Canyon, Arizona
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There’s nothing quite like seeing Havasu Falls in person. The contrast is almost otherworldly—fiery red cliffs, blue-green water, and a 100-foot waterfall crashing into a pool so vibrant it looks like it’s glowing. This place is located deep in the Havasupai Indian Reservation and requires a grueling 10-mile hike (or a helicopter ride if you’re feeling fancy). But once you reach it, you’ll understand why it’s one of the most photographed waterfalls in the country. The water gets its signature color from limestone deposits, and thanks to mineral-rich pools, you can actually swim here.
Grand Falls – Missouri
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Some waterfalls are tucked away in remote wilderness, but Grand Falls sits just outside of Joplin, which makes it one of Missouri’s easiest natural wonders to visit. Standing only 12 feet tall but stretching 163 feet wide, it earns its name with a dramatic, wide curtain of water that never stops flowing. Unlike seasonal waterfalls that dry up in the summer, Grand Falls runs year-round and is fed by Shoal Creek. On a hot day, it’s the perfect place to dip your feet in the cool water while watching the sunset paint the sky in pastels.
Buttermilk Falls – New Jersey
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Not all of New Jersey is turnpikes and diners—deep in the Delaware Water Gap, Buttermilk Falls tumbles over 80 feet down a rugged, forested cliff and gives the Garden State its fair share of wild beauty. This one’s easy to reach; a wooden staircase will allow you to climb alongside the cascade and give you a close-up view as the water spills down in frothy white ribbons.
Shoshone Falls – Twin Falls, Idaho
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If there is ever a waterfall that deserves more attention, it’s Shoshone Falls. At 212 feet tall, it actually outshines Niagara Falls in height yet remains one of Idaho’s best-kept secrets. The falls are set on the Snake River and stretch across a wide basalt canyon. The scenic overlook will provide sweeping views, but for a real adventure, you can kayak right up to the base, where the mist hits your skin like a cool summer rain.
Bridal Veil Falls – Valdez, Alaska
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Alaska doesn’t do small waterfalls, and Bridal Veil Falls is proof. This 600-foot beauty spills down the cliffs of Keystone Canyon, a dramatic, glacier-carved valley lined with jagged peaks and lush greenery. You don’t even need to hike miles to see it—just drive the Richardson Highway, and there it is.
Triple Falls – Oregon
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Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge is a waterfall paradise, but Triple Falls steals the show with its unique three-pronged drop. It’s reachable through a moderate hike via towering fir trees and moss-draped cliffs that make you feel like you’ve stumbled into a fairy tale. The water tumbles down in three even streams and fans out over the rocks before pooling below.
Vernal Fall – Yosemite, California
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Yosemite has its fair share of showstoppers, but Vernal Fall delivers something many others don’t—an up-close experience. The Mist Trail lives up to its name and completely soaks hikers as they climb the steep, stone-carved steps right alongside the thundering 317-foot drop. The closer you get, the louder it roars, until you’re completely engulfed in the waterfall’s spray.