Best USA National Parks for Waterfalls

It’s spring and that means waterfall season is upon us. With the melting of winter snow, frozen lakes and rivers, millions of gallons of water are now flowing down slopes.

Although there are some truly incredible waterfalls in many places in America, it’s once again the waterfalls in national parks that steal the show.

The following are the best USA national parks for waterfalls. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Sierra Nevada, from the Pacific Northwest to the Grand Canyon, you’ll find epic waterfalls all over the country.

Best U.S. National Parks for Waterfalls

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Spring is the top season to see national park waterfalls, but the exact ideal times do vary between parks.

In the eastern parks, for example, the season runs from spring through mid-summer. U.S. national parks with waterfalls that rely on glacial ice melt, however, typically have a season that starts later and is much shorter.

1. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Mount Rainier towers above Edith Creek and wildflower-covered meadows.

Home to no fewer than 25 active glaciers, making it one of the most glaciated national parks in the lower 48 states, Mount Rainier National Park in central Washington State is without question one of the best national parks for waterfalls.

Those glaciers fuel a myriad of waterfalls and cascades—more than 150 of them, many higher than 300 feet (100 meters).

A lot of the Mount Rainier National Park waterfalls can be seen from roadside viewpoints, while some require a bit of hiking.

Narada Falls is an example of the former, Myrtle Falls of the latter. Both are absolutely spectacular and among the top highlights at Mount Rainier, which can conveniently be visited on a day trip from Seattle or Portland.

• Best Time For Waterfalls: Spring through summer
• Suggested Mount Rainier Waterfalls: Narada Falls, Myrtle Falls, Comet Falls, Christine Falls, Silver Falls

2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina / Tennessee

Laurel Falls is one of the star attractions in the Great Smokies – Photo by Thomas via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0).

There are more than a hundred prominent waterfalls and cascades in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, making it one of the absolute best national parks for waterfall hunting.

Its abundant rainfall combined with an ideal elevation gradient creates a landscape riddled with rivers and streams—more than 2,000 miles (3,200 kilometers) of them—rushing into forested hollows, dropping down cliffsides and tumbling over boulders.

The most popular waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park are Laurel, Grotto, Rainbow and Abrams falls, but you’ll find dozens of smaller cascades on pretty much every river in the park.

Pitch your tent at one of the many campgrounds or base yourself in nearby Asheville, one of the top national park gateway towns in America.

• Best Time For Waterfalls: Spring through early summer
• Suggested Great Smoky Mountains Waterfalls: Laurel Falls, Abrams Falls, Grotto Falls, Rainbow Falls

3. Yosemite National Park, California

Dropping 2,425 feet (739 meters), Yosemite Falls is one of North America’s tallest waterfalls. – Image credit: NPS / Damon Joyce

Yosemite National Park needs no introduction. Located just a couple of hours east of San Francisco, this crown jewel of the American national park system is all about water and ice.

The very valley the park is named after—Yosemite Valley—was created by a massive glacier chiseling its way slowly through the mountains.

Now, the glacier long gone, the park still boasts a truly amazing number of water features, from the scenic Merced River to alpine lakes and, of course, its numerous spectacular waterfalls.

The many Yosemite National Park waterfalls characterize this park. You could easily spend a week just hiking and photographing this plethora of falls.

The best time of year to see iconic waterfalls in Yosemite National Park such as Bridalveil Fall, Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, Horsetail Fall and Yosemite Falls—one of the highest in the world—is from May through June when most of the snow melt occurs.

• Best Time For Waterfalls: Late spring
• Suggested Yosemite Waterfalls: Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, Nevada Fall, Vernal Fall, Horsetail Fall

4. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Havasu Falls, an oasis of lushness and refreshment in an unforgiving canyon landscape.

Waterfalls may not be what Grand Canyon National Park is known for, but it does have one particular set of waterfalls, cascades and natural pools that rivals any other on earth.

One of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls, Havasu Falls lies within the Havasupai Indian Reservation, a remote place west of the main tourist area of Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim.

Note, however, that the reservation is managed by the Havasupai Tribe and lies just outside of Grand Canyon National Park.

Just this one place makes Grand Canyon one of the best destinations for waterfalls. Note, however, that getting there is not easy.

First, you need a reservation—and permits do sell out rapidly once the reservation window opens in February each year. Second, you can only visit Havasu Falls on an overnight camping trip. Day hiking is not allowed.

The money, patience and effort are all worth it, though. This is without a shadow of doubt one of the greatest waterfalls in the country.

Within Grand Canyon National Park itself, there are also a number of visit-worthy waterfalls. Cheyava, Thunder River, Deer Creek, Roaring Springs, and Ribbon are all beautiful.

• Best Time For Waterfalls: Spring
• Suggested Grand Canyon Waterfalls: Cheyava, Thunder River, Deer Creek, Roaring Springs and Ribbon, and the one and only Havasu Falls (just outside the national park boundaries)

5. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Lower Doyles River Falls is arguably the most beautiful waterfall in Shenandoah National Park.

Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park is dotted with beautiful waterfalls. Although none of them are impressively high or powerful, its their undeniably scenic setting that makes them so wonderful.

I’ve personally been to almost all of them—hiking to waterfalls is one of the best things to do in Shenandoah.

My favorite waterfalls in Shenandoah National Park are Doyles River Falls and Dark Hollow Falls, the latter of which is the most popular and accessible waterfall in the park.

If you’re up for a challenging day hike past half a dozen waterfalls, Whiteoak Canyon is where you need to be. All trailheads are on scenic Skyline Drive.

• Best Time For Waterfalls: Spring through early summer
• Suggested Shenandoah Waterfalls: Dark Hollow Falls, Doyles River Falls, Whiteoak Canyon Falls, South River Falls, Rose River Falls

6. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

Hidden in the woods of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Blue Hen Falls is reached via a short trail and makes for beautiful photos.

Perhaps a surprise on a list filled with iconic and famous American national parks, underrated Cuyahoga Valley National Park definitely deserves its place here.

Protecting lands on the banks of the Cuyahoga River between Akron and Cleveland, the park boasts wonderful natural scenery, wildlife and scenic waterfalls in an increasingly urban environment.

Rent a bike or hop on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad to get a feel for the park. Don’t miss thundering Brandywine Falls, one of the top attractions in Cuyahoga Valley.

Additionally, I personally also absolutely loved Blue Hen Falls, a relatively hidden waterfall in the woods that makes for superb photos. It was by far my favorite Cuyahoga Valley National Park waterfall.

• Best Time For Waterfalls: Spring and fall
• Suggested Cuyahoga Valley Waterfalls: Brandywine Falls, Blue Hen Falls

7. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Idaho & Montana

Upper Yellowstone Falls is just one of three beautiful waterfalls in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

One of the greatest national parks to visit in spring, Yellowstone National Park is known for many features, from hot springs and geysers to wildlife, such as grizzly bears, wolves and American bison. A relatively well-kept secret, however, is that the park also has its fair share of spectacular waterfalls.

In fact, there are more than 40 named waterfalls and many more that remain unnamed. A vast national park, Yellowstone has much to keep you occupied for literally weeks.

However much time you have in the park, though, make sure to check out some of the Yellowstone National Park waterfalls. The go-to falls are the Lower Falls in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

• Best Time For Waterfalls: Spring and summer
• Suggested Yellowstone Waterfalls: Lower Falls, Wraith Falls, Undine Falls, Kepler Cascades

8. Glacier National Park, Montana

The St.Mary and Virginia Falls Trail is one of Glacier’s most popular hikes.

Fewer than 40 glaciers remain in Glacier National Park, down from around 150 in the mid-19^th century.

With climate change influencing much of the planet, the park will soon be without its namesake features. In the meantime, though, glacial melt keeps on feeding mountain streams and lakes in this spectacular region.

As is the case with the Glacier wildflowers, the waterfall window in this park is quite narrow, as most of the Glacier National Park waterfalls dry up after the snowmelt stops.

Summer is the best time of year for waterfall hunting in Glacier National Park. Drive the spectacular Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the best roads in America’s national parks, and you’ll come across a number of hiking trails that lead to wonderful waterfalls.

• Best Time For Waterfalls: Summer
• Suggested Glacier Waterfalls: McDonald Falls, St. Mary Falls, Virginia Falls

9. Olympic National Park, Washington

Sol Duc Falls is Olympic National Park’s most beautiful waterfall.

Located in one of the wettest corners of the United States, a peninsula in the Pacific Northwest, Olympic National Park is unquestionably one of the best national parks for waterfalls.

Encompassing mountain ranges, primeval forests and epic coastlines, this park has all the ingredients to make it ideal for waterfall hunting.

There’s a lot of water and there are also plenty of places where it can tumble, drop or fall down.

Especially spring is a good time to visit waterfalls like Donahue Creek, Royal Basin, Madison, Marymere and Sol Duc. The latter Olympic National Park waterfall is one of the absolute top attractions in Olympic National Park.

• Best Time For Waterfalls: Spring and fall
• Suggested Olympic Waterfalls: Donahue Creek Falls, Sol Duc Falls, Royal Basin Falls, Marymere Falls

List of the Best National Park Waterfalls

• Myrtle Falls, Mount Rainier National Park
• Laurel Falls, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park
• Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite National Park
• Nevada Fall, Yosemite National Park
• Vernal Fall, Yosemite National Park
• Havasu Falls, Grand Canyon (just outside the national park)
• Dark Hollow Falls, Shenandoah National Park
• Doyles River Falls, Shenandoah National Park
• Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park
• Blue Hen Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park
• Lower, Upper and Crystal Falls, Yellowstone National Park
• St. Mary Falls, Glacier National Park
• Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park
• Plaikni Falls, Crater Lake National Park
• Brooks Falls, Katmai National Park

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Have You Ever Been Waterfall Hunting in Any of These Awesome National Parks for Waterfalls? Share Your Tips and Suggestions in the Comments Below!