From North America’s highest cascade to one that looks like it
flows with chocolate, these 14 U.S. waterfalls are all worth a visit.
Palouse Falls
Palouse Falls State Park, Washington
The nearly 200-foot Palouse Falls plunges fiercely over the side
of a canyon into the Palouse River. In February 2014, it was honored as the
official state waterfall of Washington.
Niagara Falls, New York
What Niagara Falls lacks in height, it makes up for in length.
Three separate falls comprise greater Niagara Falls, which straddles the U.S.
and Canadian border between New York and Ontario. Two of them—American Falls
and Bridal Veil Falls—are on the U.S. side. Together, the three falls have the
highest flow rate in the world.
Marin County, California
Alamere Falls hits the coastline of Point Reyes National
Seashore, technically making it a tidefall. It has a total of four drops, the
longest of which is 40 feet.
Grand Falls, Navajo Nation, Arizona
The 185-foot-tall Grand Falls, also known as Chocolate Falls due
to its muddy waters, is located in the Painted Desert of Arizona in Navajo
Nation outside Flagstaff, Arizona.
Yosemite National Park, California
At 2,425 feet, Yosemite Falls earns top honors as the highest
waterfall in North America. The cascade is broken into three sections: Upper
Yosemite Fall, Middle Cascades, and Lower Yosemite Fall. Be sure to plan your
visit after a winter with heavy snow, otherwise the falls might be little more
than a trickle.
Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina
There’s no question how this waterfall got its name. Sliding
Rock, in the Pisgah National Forest, is Mother Nature’s waterslide. You can
slip your way down this 60-foot long, gently sloped waterfall all the way into
the plunge pool that gathers at its base.
Kauai, Hawaii
Made famous by its cameo in Steven Spielberg’s 1993 dino
classic Jurassic Park, Manawaiopuna Falls drops through the
Hanapepe Valley on Kauai Island. It’s located on private property, but can be
viewed on a helicopter tour.
Chattanooga, Tennessee
This underground waterfall drops 145 feet through a vertical
shaft within Tennessee’s Lookout Mountain. A stream that flows 1,120 feet
underground feeds the waterfall. Ruby Falls, along with the greater Lookout
Mountain Caverns complex, is a registered National Historic Landmark.
Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon
Ramona Falls resembles a veil of lace draped over the mossy
rocks of Mt. Hood. The falls cascade 120 feet down the west side of the
mountain over columnar basalt rocks. It can be reached on foot via the Ramona
Falls Trailhead.
South Cheyenne Canyon, Colorado
With an impressive seven drops, the aptly named Seven Falls in
Colorado is worth the challenging hike it takes to get there. From top to
bottom, the seven falls are Ramona, Feather, Bridal Veil, Shorty, Hull, Weimer,
and Hill. Cumulatively the waterfall has a total drop of 181 feet.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
Picture-perfect Havasu Falls plunges 100 feet into the Grand
Canyon. The rusty canyon walls are a striking contrast to the vibrant turquoise
pool that the waterfall dumps into it.
Twin Falls, Idaho
Dubbed the Niagara Falls of the West, Idaho’s Shoshone Falls
drops 212 feet along the Snake River. If you’re planning to visit, aim for the
spring or summer when water levels are typically at their highest.
Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite National Park is home to an impressive number of
waterfalls, but toping the list is Ribbon Fall. It plunges over the side of El
Captain and at 1,612 feet, it’s the longest single-drop waterfall in North
America.
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon
Multnomah Falls is the tallest cascade in the state of Oregon.
Located in the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area, the waterfall has two drops
that plunge approximately 542 feet and 69 feet. You can access the waterfall on
foot, then marvel at it from the Benson Footbridge.
1 comment:
I don't think I saw Turner Falls in southern Oklahoma.
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