Top 10 Waterfalls

Waterfalls are some of the most beautiful sights in nature. There's something about the sound of the water, rushing and cascading continuously down a mountainside, that is very soothing, uplifting, and awe-inspiring.

Our National Parks are full of amazing and gorgeous waterfalls. They are usually great rewards at the end of a hike, but some are found right along the road.

I have decided to rank the Top 10 Waterfalls that we have seen in our National Parks.

First, an honorable mention:

Twin Falls, Glacier NP

There are more famous falls in Glacier, but I really enjoyed going out to see this pair of falls in this pristine wilderness. These falls are located in the Two Medicine Lake region of the park. Take the ferryboat across the lake and then it's a short mile-hike to these falls.

And now, the Top 10:

#10. Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite NP

This spectacular falls plunges 617 ft into the Yosemite Valley, and is usually the first stop for any visit to Yosemite, as it is featured prominently in the famous "Tunnel View." Make sure to see the falls from this spot and then take the pull-out further down the road to walk up to the base of the falls. Depending on the month, the falls can get pretty dry but it does run year round. You will certainly get wet from the spray and mist if you visit the base of the falls.

#9. Abrams Falls, Great Smoky Mountains NP

Certainly not as tall and impressive as Bridalveil, but Abrams Falls at Great Smoky Mountains is a beautiful destination at the end of a fun, 2.5 mile hike in the Cades Cove region of the park.

#8. Dark Hollow Falls, Shenandoah NP

One of the most popular stops along Skyline Drive, take the short (but steep) 1.5 mile hike to Dark Hollow Trails. It was a bit crowded, but it's a very scenic hike and falls.

#7. Myrtle Falls, Mt. Rainier NP

This 72-foot fall is the first landmark along the full loop of the Skyline Trail at Paradise Region of Mt. Rainier. The mountain provides the perfect backdrop to this picturesque falls.

#6. Marymere Falls, Olympic NP

This 90 ft waterfall in the rain-forest of the Olympic Peninsula is an absolute jewel. The trailhead is along Lake Crescent, and it's a short easy 1-mile hike to the falls.

#5. Alberta Falls, Rocky Mountain NP

When we visited Alberta Falls in July 2015, it was a raging cascade. From the Glacier Gorge trailhead, it's only about a mile to the falls. This is a popular destination, and for good reason. It's a very dramatic, impressive falls, and you can easily get real up close and personal with it (at the base AND at the top). It's only a 30 ft drop, but it is thunderous and thrilling.

#4. Sol Duc Falls, Olympic NP

This unique, three-pronged falls is one of the best views in all of Olympic NP (and that's saying something). Once again, it's only about a 1 mile hike to this stunning drop. 

#3. Nevada Falls/Vernal Falls, Yosemite NP

So, I'm kind of cheating with this one and grouping Vernal Falls (the lower one on the left) and Nevada Falls (the upper one on the right). Tara and I also haven't had the chance yet to hike up to these massive and amazing falls. Vernal Falls is 317 ft tall, and Nevada is 594 ft! These falls are gigantic. I have only seen these falls from Glacier Point and I can't wait to go back to Yosemite and get up close to these spectacular drops.

#2. Yosemite Falls, Yosemite NP

from Glacier Point

 

from the valley road

lower falls

Yosemite is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to waterfalls. Combining the upper and lower falls, Yosemite Falls, at 2,425 ft, is the tallest waterfall in all of North America. At the base, you'll strain your neck trying to get the whole thing in one view. See the majesty of Yosemite Falls from Glacier Point. It will take your breath away.

#1. Yellowstone Falls, Yellowstone NP

Upper Falls

Lower Falls at Uncle Tom's Trail

Lower Falls from Artist's Point

brink of the Upper Falls

Lower Falls in Winter - Oct 2019

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is home to the absolutely stunning Yellowstone Falls, the Upper Falls (109 ft) and the Lower Falls (308 ft) create one of the most beautiful sights in all of our National Parks. I may be a bit biased because it's a place that Tara and I have gone to several times, including just last weekend for my first experience of Yellowstone in the snow. Which was amazing, it was like visiting an entire new park!

Anyway, make sure to head over to Canyon Village and take the North Rim and the South Rim roads to experience and view these falls from multiple angles. The most popular place to view the falls is at Artist's Point, but all the overlooks around here are worth visiting.