Spring is finally here, and you know what that means: it’s waterfall season. From the east coast to the west coast — and all the way out to the Hawaii Islands — this article breaks down the best waterfalls in the U.S. to photograph. So pack your rain gear, grab as many microfiber cleaning cloths as you can, and let’s get started.
And if you need some help getting started, check out 5 Tips to Photograph Waterfalls.
Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls State Park, New York and Ontario
Starting off our list is one of the most famous waterfalls in the world — Niagara Falls. This massive waterfall spans from New York to Ontario, Canada, and has three main sections. These includes the American and Bridal Veil on the American side, and Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side. Niagara Falls isn’t the tallest waterfall by any means. However, its average flow rate of over 1,800 cubic meters per second makes it one of the most powerful on earth.
With ample vantage points, tours, and experiences that get up close and personal, photographers will love this waterfall on the U.S. and Canadian border.
Middle Falls, Letchworth State Park, New York
Middle Falls is a beautiful, 100-foot cascading waterfall fed by the Genesee River in Upstate New York. Found in Letchworth State Park — which is often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East—” Middle Falls is framed perfectly inside the canyon walls. Accessibility is easy, and there are several great vantage points of Middle Falls. Inspiration Point is the most popular spot for photographers.
Taughannock Falls, Taughannock Falls State Park, New York
Taughannock Falls is another beautiful waterfall found in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York. It dramatically plunges 215 feet into a steep, rocky gorge and offers photographers amazing perspectives from above and below. The iconic frame features paved steps that form a perfect leading line to the waterfall.
Rainbow Falls, Watkins Glen State Park, New York
When you walk the Gorge Trail in Watkins Glen State Park, you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale. The stone pathway winds through a lush, 400-foot gorge, past cascading pools until you reach the iconic frame. Rainbow Falls cascades over the trail leading to a beautiful stone bridge that crosses the stream to the other side. It’s a magical scene that photographers will love to capture in any season.
Cumberland Falls, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Kentucky
Cumberland Falls is a 70-foot tall, 125-foot wide waterfall in southern Kentucky. Because of its impressive size, its nickname is the “Niagara Falls of the South.” Although, it also stands out for another reason.
Cumberland Falls is one of few waterfalls in the world that regularly displays a “moonbow.” This is a rainbow that appears on a clear, full-moon night. It is caused by the strong moonlight reflecting off the waterfall’s mist. Photographers flock to Cumberland Falls — day or night — to see a beautiful waterfall. But they also come for a chance to capture a rare natural phenomenon as well.
Burgess Falls, Burgess Falls State Park, Tennessee
Tennessee is home to several beautiful waterfalls, but Burgess Falls is probably the most photogenic. Cascading 136 feet into the limestone canyon below, Burgess Falls can be photographed from above or below with several great vantage points for photographers.
Tahquamenon Falls, Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Michigan
Tahquamenon Falls is found in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan near the coast of Lake Superior. It is widely considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Midwest.
Tahquamenon Falls features an upper and lower falls, and is known for its unique rust color. The color is completely natural and caused by tannins in the water from cedar swamps upstream that flow into the Tahquamenon River.
Yellowstone Falls, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone Falls is one of the most iconic waterfalls in the country in arguably the most famous national park in the world — Yellowstone National Park. The waterfall features two drops. Upper Yellowstone Falls drops 109 feet and Lower Yellowstone Falls drops 308 feet into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The canyon is over 1,000 feet deep.
While there are several beautiful vantage points for photographers, Artist Point is by far the most impressive. It provides the famous frame of Lower Yellowstone Falls dropping into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with the Yellowstone River snaking through the foreground.
Shoshone Falls, Shoshone Falls Park, Idaho
The massive Shoshone Falls is often referred to as the “Niagara of the West.” It is a 212-foot tall, 900-foot wide waterfall on the Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho. It features several tiered drops down a steep, basalt canyon. It is easily viewed from walking trails and several large viewing platforms above the falls.
Havasu Canyon, Havasupai, Arizona
Havasu Canyon is located in one of the tributaries of the Grand Canyon. It’s truly a desert oasis like no other. Fed by the bright, turquoise waters of the Havasu River, Havasu Canyon features over five stunning waterfalls. This includes the large, cascading Beaver Falls to the towering 100-foot tall Havasu Falls and 200-foot tall Mooney Falls.
However, unlike most of the waterfalls on this list, Havasu Canyon is strictly regulated by a permit system, for both day and overnight hikers. The canyon is also home to the Havasupai Indian Reservation — one of the most isolated, remote communities in the country living 2,000 feet below the Grand Canyon rim in Supai Village.
Currently, this community and the Havasu reservation system is temporarily closed. It’d be wise to watch the Havasupai website during the time you plan to visit. Once it does reopen, Havasu Canyon will continue to be one of the top outdoor photo destinations in the country and will likely be booked out for years to come.
McWay Falls, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, California
Located on one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the country, McWay Falls drops off a cliff onto a perfectly secluded beach cove of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in Big Sur, California. It’s not a massive or powerful waterfall by any means. Although, the coastline scenery around this waterfall forms a picture-perfect frame, especially when the sun sets in the west and ignites the landscape.
Another plus to McWay Falls? It’s really easy to access, with only a short walk from the parking lot to the viewing platform above.
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite Valley is truly one of the most beautiful places on the planet. However, what makes it so special are the massive waterfalls that pour into this glacier-carved valley. From the thunderous Vernal and Nevada falls on the popular Mist Trail, to the towering Bridal Veil and Yosemite Falls, there is simply nowhere else in the world with a collection of waterfalls as magnificent as Yosemite Valley.
While many of the waterfalls in the valley flow year-round, photographers will want to visit Yosemite in the spring for optimal water volume. Spring is when Yosemite’s waterfalls show off the best.
Burney Falls, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, California
Burney Falls is located in Shasta County in Northern California. At 129 feet tall, it might not be the tallest waterfall in the state, but it’s certainly one of the most photogenic. Fed by deep, underground springs, Burney Falls pours from the lush cliffside. It creates multiple waterfalls that feed into Burney Creek and a mist-filled bowl that is especially enjoyable to photograph in the spring and summer time.
Silver Falls State Park, Oregon
Oregon is considered by many photographers to be one of the best states for waterfall photography. Silver Falls State Park, a popular state park just an hour south of Portland, is one of the reasons why Oregon is held to such high regard.
The park’s Trail of Ten Falls takes you to ten beautiful waterfalls and underneath four. Five of those waterfalls are over 100 feet tall. The park is also known for its lush, temperate vegetation so hiking in between waterfalls is enjoyable to experience and photograph, especially in the early morning before crowds increase.
Columbia River Gorge, Oregon and Washington
Just 35 minutes from Portland, Oregon, The Columbia River Gorge is a popular, world-renown, outdoor destination, made famous for its waterfalls. The Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge features over 90 waterfalls on its own, with several stunning waterfalls like Falls Creek Falls and Panther Creek Falls on the Washington side.
However, the crown jewel of the gorge is Multnomah Falls. Featuring two drops and falling 620 feet in total, it’s the tallest waterfall in the state of Oregon. It’s also arguably one of the most famous, photogenic waterfalls in the world thanks to the iconic Benson Bridge that crosses the waterfall at the bottom of its first drop.
McKenzie River, Oregon
The Mckenzie River — located in the Willamette National Forest — might be one of the most beautiful rivers in the country. With its crystal-clear blue waters carving through stunning old-growth temperate forests, this river is a sight to behold.
But what makes the McKenzie River so special are its incredible waterfalls. Sahalie and Koosah Falls are the main features, separated by only a mile and easily hikable via the Waterfall Loops Trail. Proxy Falls is also nearby and another beautiful waterfall to photograph. It’s just a few minutes down the McKenzie Highway. If you want a quintessential PNW waterfall experience, the McKenzie River provides that and more.
Myrtle Falls, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Only a quarter of a mile from the Paradise parking lot in Mount Rainier National Park, Myrtle Falls cascades 72 feet below with a stunning view of Mount Rainier in the background, lined by several large evergreen trees. It’s the perfect frame for photographers visiting Mount Rainier National Park, and is especially beautiful at sunset.
Snoqualmie Falls, Washington
One of the most visited and popular waterfalls in Washington, Snoqualmie Falls is a truly spectacular waterfall. Falling 268 feet into the large rock amphitheater below, this waterfall is as powerful as it is beautiful. It features a short hike to viewpoints at the top and bottom of the falls. And since it’s only 30 minutes from Seattle, it’s a quick adventure for any photographer this spring.
Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park, Washington
Located in the beautiful Sol Duc Valley of Olympic National Park, Sol Duc Falls is a top feature of the Olympic Peninsula. The short trail leads through a stunning, old-growth temperate rainforest, ending at a bridge overlooking the thundering, three-pronged waterfall that tumbles down the narrow canyon below.
There are several photo vantage points at the waterfall. Although, be sure to head slightly downstream to capture a great view of the bridge that Sol Duc Falls falls underneath and its beautiful lower basin filled with crystal-clear, blue water.
Palouse Falls, Palouse Falls State Park, Washington
It’s not the shortest drive from Seattle, but a visit out to Palouse Falls is definitely worth it. Plunging 200 feet into a deep, dramatic, basalt canyon, Palouse Falls is an absolutely stunning composition. The trail also wraps around the entire canyon, so you have ample opportunity to photograph this waterfall at several different angles.
Thanks to the state park’s remote location in eastern Washington, Palouse Falls is also a fantastic location for astrophotography, thanks to the lack of light pollution and trees in the park.
Pīpīwai Trail, Haleakalā National Park, Maui, The Hawaii Islands
This list wouldn’t be complete without Hawaii. We are starting with one of the most iconic waterfall destinations on the islands — the Pīpīwai Trail on the island of Maui.
Located near the town of Hāna at the end of the famous Road to Hāna in Haleakalā National Park, the Pīpīwai Trail is a photographer’s dream from start to finish. Highlights include the 185-foot Makahiku Falls, three bamboo forests, a massive Bayan tree, and —of course — the 400-foot Waimoku Falls that drops down a sheer lava rock cliff to its basin below.
Then, if you’re done photographing, you can take a dip in the Oheo Gulch or the Seven Sacred Pools, which lies directly below the trailhead. The Pīpīwai Trail truly has it all.
North Shore, Moloka‘i, The Hawaiian Islands
The North Shore of Moloka‘i feels like you’ve stepped into a movie scene. It’s home to some of the tallest waterfalls on the earth. This massive, steep shoreline is where you will find several waterfalls over 2,000 feet. This includes Olo’upena Falls, which is the tallest waterfall in the United States and the fourth tallest in the world at 2,953 feet tall.
The North Shore is only accessible by air or sea, but there are plenty of tour options on the island of Maui, which sits only eight miles from Moloka‘i.
Wailua Falls, Wailua River State Park, Kauaʻi, The Hawaiian Islands
Moving to the Garden Island of Kauaʻi, we have Wailua Falls. This beautiful 173-foot waterfall can easily be viewed from a platform directly beside where you park. However, the best photo spot is below — at the base of the waterfall — which requires a little more effort.
The trail to the bottom of Wailua Falls is quite steep. It requires the use of two fixed ropes already in place. It’s quite manageable, unless it’s raining or has recently rained. If so, it’s recommended to attempt the hike/climb down due to the slippery, muddy conditions that make it unsafe. This is especially true when you’re hauling down camera gear.
Akaka Falls, Akaka Falls State Park, Hawai’i, The Hawaiian Islands
Finally, we end our list on the island of Hawai’i, or as it’s affectionately called, the Big Island. There are many hikeable and easily accessible waterfalls on Hawai’i. Although, the most photogenic experience belongs to Akaka Falls in Akaka Falls State Park.
Akaka Falls itself is incredible, plunging 442 feet into the lush gorge below. However, the trail that leads to this waterfall is equally as enjoyable. You’ll walk past some of the most stunning, tropical foliage and vegetation you will see on the islands. If you start early, you just might have this beautiful state park to yourself.
Hamakua Coast, Hawai’i, The Hawaiian Islands
Last but not least, we have the Hamakua Coast. This northern section of Hawai’i is home to some of the tallest waterfalls on the Hawaiian Islands. Like the North Shore of Molokai, it’s best to photograph these waterfalls from the air.
Booking a doors-off helicopter tour will get you up close and personal to several of these mammoth waterfalls. This is true for Waihilau Falls, which features four distinct falls that drop 2,600 feet to the valley below.
