Outdoors NearbyWaterfalls near you
4,513 named waterfalls in 48 states, from roadside falls to backcountry cascades. 989 have a mapped height.
Find waterfalls near you
Waterfalls by state
- Alabama 22
- Alaska 45
- Arizona 47
- Arkansas 198
- California 401
- Colorado 90
- Connecticut 93
- Florida 5
- Georgia 63
- Hawaii 100
- Idaho 50
- Illinois 33
- Indiana 18
- Iowa 5
- Kansas 7
- Kentucky 75
- Maine 107
- Maryland 11
- Massachusetts 27
- Michigan 92
- Minnesota 73
- Mississippi 1
- Missouri 16
- Montana 73
- Nebraska 3
- Nevada 10
- New Hampshire 102
- New Jersey 21
- New Mexico 17
- New York 296
- North Carolina 845
- North Dakota 1
- Ohio 66
- Oklahoma 13
- Oregon 271
- Pennsylvania 134
- Rhode Island 6
- South Carolina 168
- South Dakota 6
- Tennessee 163
- Texas 22
- Utah 71
- Vermont 42
- Virginia 54
- Washington 428
- West Virginia 24
- Wisconsin 43
- Wyoming 55
Towns with many waterfalls nearby
- Brevard, NC 295
- Cullowhee, NC 111
- Franklin, NC 64
- Pickens, SC 55
- Walhalla, SC 55
- Yosemite Valley, CA 45
- Cascade Locks, OR 41
- Tanner, WA 37
- Eatonville, WA 36
- Carson, WA 35
- Estes Park, CO 34
- Gold Bar, WA 31
- Palenville, NY 30
- Huntsville, AR 28
- Newland, NC 28
- Frenchburg, KY 27
- Robbinsville, NC 27
- Mount Hood Village, OR 27
- Harveys Lake, PA 27
- Slater-Marietta, SC 26
- Dover, AR 25
- Flat Rock, NC 25
- Gatlinburg, TN 24
- Morton, WA 23
The tallest mapped waterfalls
- East Snow Mountain Falls 2198 ft · near Truckee Directions
- Snow Creek Falls 2133 ft · near Yosemite Valley · trailhead 0.5 mi Directions
- Hiilawe Falls 2051 ft · near Waimea Directions
- Sentinel Fall 1936 ft · near Yosemite Valley · trailhead 1 mi · seasonal Directions
- Louis Creek Falls 1719 ft · near Darrington Directions
- Ribbon Fall 1611 ft · near Yosemite Valley · trailhead 0.8 mi · seasonal Directions
- Horsetail Fall 1542 ft · near Yosemite Valley · trailhead 1.1 mi · seasonal Directions
- Upper Yosemite Fall 1444 ft · near Yosemite Valley · trailhead 1 mi · seasonal Directions
- Bridal Veil Falls-Mine Cascade 1293 ft · near Gold Bar Directions
- Wapama Falls 1286 ft · near Yosemite Valley Directions
- Drury Falls 1266 ft · near Leavenworth Directions
- Big Heart Falls 1263 ft · near Tanner Directions
Heights as entered in OpenStreetMap, rounded to feet.
For the trail to the falls
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Illustration Bestseller TrailBuddy collapsible aluminum trekking poles (pair) Extra balance on wet rock and steep, muddy trails down to a waterfall. They fold short enough for a daypack. View on Amazon -
Illustration Lamicall waterproof phone pouch (IPX8) Keeps your phone dry in mist and spray near the falls, and you can still take photos through the clear window. View on Amazon
We haven't tested these ourselves; we chose them by size and specs. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Check the current price on Amazon.
Before you hike to a waterfall
Many waterfalls sit at the end of a trail, not next to the parking lot. Check the trail length and elevation on the park or forest website, and plan for wet, rocky ground near the falls. Shoes with grip matter more than anything else you bring.
Stay behind railings and off the rocks at the top of a fall. Wet rock and algae are slick, and most waterfall injuries happen when people climb for a better view. After storms, water can rise fast, so turn around if a creek crossing looks deeper than usual.
Waterfall questions
How do I find waterfalls near me?
Enter your city or ZIP code in the search above, or use your location. We list 4,513 named waterfalls in 48 states and show the closest ones with distance and directions.
Which state has the most waterfalls?
In our data, North Carolina leads with 845 named waterfalls, followed by Washington (428) and California (401). The count depends on how well each area is mapped.
When is the best time to see waterfalls?
Flow is usually strongest in spring, when snowmelt and rain feed the streams, and after heavy rain. Many smaller falls shrink to a trickle in late summer, and some only run part of the year.
Are waterfalls safe to swim in?
Only where swimming is allowed. Rocks near falls are slippery, pools can hide strong currents and debris, and water levels can rise quickly after storms upstream. Stay on marked trails and behind railings.