12 Tallest Waterfalls In The United States You Can Hike To – Idyllic Pursuit

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There’s a certain magic in waterfall hikes: the steady climb, the sound of water getting louder, the first spray as you approach. Some of these cascades are icons every hiker dreams of seeing. Others remain lesser-known, tucked behind canyons or hidden in wilderness. All share a crucial trait: you can reach them on foot, with plenty of trails ranging from rugged adventures to family-friendly strolls. Here are twelve of the country’s tallest and most spectacular waterfalls, from Yosemite’s granite giants to Appalachian jewels. Lace up your boots, pack your camera, and get ready for misty views and gravity-defying drops.

1. Yosemite Falls, California (2,425 ft)

Towering more than half a mile from the valley floor, Yosemite Falls is North America’s tallest and an absolute must-see for waterfall chasers. You can do an easy mile-long stroll to the base for postcard views or, if you’ve got stamina, take on the 7.2-mile round trip to the spectacular upper falls, climbing over 2,700 vertical feet. The reward is worth it: a front-row seat to cascading water and unbeatable vistas over Yosemite Valley, especially in spring and early summer when the falls thunder at full force.

2. Wapama Falls, California (1,080 ft)

Located in the less-crowded Hetch Hetchy Valley of Yosemite National Park, Wapama Falls drops over 1,000 feet in three dramatic tiers. The moderately challenging hike is about 2.5 miles one-way along the reservoir. Come during peak flows in spring for the most dramatic scene, but beware: high water can sometimes flood the footbridge, adding a wild element to your adventure. Lush wildflowers and lake views sweeten the journey, making it a unique experience even among California’s many waterfall trails.

3. Ribbon Fall, California (1,634 ft)

Ribbon Fall might not get the attention of Yosemite’s biggest celebrities, but it’s the park’s tallest single-drop waterfall and the longest unbroken plunge anywhere in North America. It usually flows only in spring, best admired from the valley floor on park hiking routes or distant viewpoints. Catching it at peak is special; just after the thaw when it slices an elegant silver line down the granite. Even if conditions are right for only a few weeks a year, it’s a seasonal showstopper for those who seek it out.

4. Multnomah Falls, Oregon (620 ft)

Oregon’s most photographed waterfall lives up to the hype. Multnomah Falls drops in two dramatic tiers, framed by mossy cliffs and accessible by paved trail; just 2.4 miles round-trip with a moderate climb. The iconic Benson Footbridge lets you stand mid-falls, mist swirling around you. It’s an easy stop from Portland, and well worth braving the crowds for those classic Pacific Northwest rain-forest views, especially when the autumn leaves begin to turn.

5. Waimoku Falls, Hawaii (400 ft)

On Maui’s famed Road to Hana, the Pipiwai Trail winds four miles round-trip through dense bamboo forests and streams, ending at the awe-inspiring Waimoku Falls. This slender ribbon plunges down a lush, fern-framed lava cliff, a sight both wild and peaceful. The hike itself is a journey through waterfalls large and small, with birdsong and tropical greenery everywhere. The combination of vibrant scenery and a dramatic finale makes this one of Hawaii’s most rewarding hikes.

6. Bridal Veil Falls, Colorado (365 ft)

Soaring at the head of Telluride’s box canyon, Bridal Veil Falls is Colorado’s tallest free-falling waterfall. A moderately steep 1.8-mile hike rewards you with roaring water, stunning wildflowers, and panoramic views of the San Juan Mountains. Above the falls, you’ll spot the historic powerhouse perched cliffside for extra drama. Adventurous hikers can continue farther to reach the falls’ crest, but the base area is already epic enough to justify the journey.

7. Lower Yellowstone Falls, Wyoming (308 ft)

Commanding the spotlight in Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon, Lower Falls is the most iconic in the park. Most people opt for the 0.75-mile walk from the rim for sweeping vistas, while the steep “Uncle Tom’s Trail” descends 328 steps to a spray-filled platform near the base. The incredible volume of water and the sheer cliff setting create jaw-dropping photo opportunities and lingering mist on sunny days. It’s one of the most accessible big waterfalls around.

8. Arethusa Falls, New Hampshire (140 ft)

The tallest single-drop waterfall in New Hampshire, Arethusa Falls, tumbles dramatically over ancient granite. The moderate 1.5-mile hike meanders through forests and over streams, coming alive with wildflowers in spring and blazing leaves in autumn. The broad, resounding sheet of water isn’t as towering as some western falls but is stunning in its own right and a favorite for families and photographers seeking a quieter trail.

9. Hemmed-In-Hollow Falls, Arkansas (209 ft)

Hidden in the rugged Buffalo National River wilderness, Hemmed-In-Hollow Falls is the tallest between the Rockies and Appalachians. Getting there is a rugged 2.5-mile hike down (and a sweaty climb back up), but you’re rewarded by a sheer cliff and cathedral-like setting. The falls thunder after spring rains, and the amphitheater’s scale has a way of making you feel small in the best possible way.

10. Shoshone Falls, Idaho (212 ft)

Dubbed the “Niagara of the West,” Shoshone Falls stands higher than its better-known cousin, with a wall of water tumbling over a 900-foot-wide brink. Though the falls are viewable from a paved overlook just minutes from Twin Falls, ambitious hikers can also reach the base on longer area trails. Spring sees the falls at their roaring best, but the setting impresses year-round with its dramatic canyon vistas and surging spray.

11. Vernal and Nevada Falls, California (317 ft & 594 ft)

The Mist Trail is a rite of passage for Yosemite hikers, climbing up past roaring Vernal Fall and onward to the top of Nevada Fall. It’s steep, stone-stepped, and famous for keeping you soaked; so pack a jacket. The payoff is two world-class waterfalls, sweeping valley and forest views, and an adrenaline-fueled sense of accomplishment at each crest. For many, these falls represent the best of what a waterfall trek can be: thrilling, misty, and impossible to forget.

12. Ramsey Cascades, Tennessee (100 ft)

Deep in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Ramsey Cascades tumbles down layered rock through old-growth forest. The out-and-back trail covers 8 miles and gains over 2,000 feet, rewarding you with solitude, mossy logs, wildflowers, and a picturesque, multi-tiered waterfall. The setting feels ancient; a blend of stillness and roaring water that’s classic Smokies. If you want a challenge with a lush, misty payoff, this is your waterfall to chase.

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