6 Top US Waterfalls to Visit On Your Next USA Trip

Nature is a beautiful thing. Beautiful, but also wild and powerful. Fact that nature is also dangerous is a part of what makes it so appealing. And if you ask me nothing gives that feeling of power more than water. Huge amounts of water moving. Big waves and huge waterfalls with all that volume of water moving and crashing into the rocks… It is a mesmerizing sight and a true manifestation of natures power. It is somethings people just can’t keep their eyes of. We can stand there and just watch the water exploding off the rocks. It is no wonder that waterfalls are always on of the most visited natural attractions. There are lots of waterfalls all around the world but the US with it’s wast wilderness and untamed nature and a huge variety of different landscapes might be one of the best places to visit, if you are into waterfalls. Before we go into the best and most visit worthy top US waterfalls a few tips:

  • fist, check when is the best season to visit a waterfall..some waterfalls are only active (or worth visiting) when there is enough rainfall, so dry season might not be the best time to visit. Also winter access can be a problem sometimes. So pick the right season.
  • bring a rain jacket, a waterproof backpack and a good camera, sometimes you can get so close to the waterfall that you will get wet!

1. Niagara Falls

Obviously, this is number one :). It’s THE waterfall in the USA and probably the most well known in the world. It easily surpasses all others in the United Stated when it comes to sheer power, size and popularity. Location: near Buffalo, New York

2. Lower Falls on Yellowstone River

I once said: “The only thing that would top surfing for me is a visit to USA national parks.” And Yellowstone is one of the top parks to visit with or without the Lower falls. This is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the USA. Waterfall has a drop of 308ft as it falls into the beginning of the colorful Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. Other falls to see in Yellowstone: Union falls. Location: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

3. Yosemite Falls

Yosemite just might have the best concentration of crazy beautiful waterfalls in the world. The Yosemite waterfall is the crown jewel of the area and is with it’s 2,425ft one of the tallest waterfalls in the world. Best time to visit: Spring. Location: Yosemite National Park, California, USA

4. Vernal Falls

This is one of the popular attractions in the state of California. Vernal Fall is a 317-foot high waterfall in another amazing national park that might be even more well known than the Yellowstone – the Yosemite National Park. Waterfall lies on the Merced River just downstream of Nevada Fall. The area is also great for other outdoor activities like rock climbing and kayaking. Other falls to see in Yosemite: Bridalveil. Fall Best time to visit: Spring. Location: Yosemite National Park, California, USA

5. Multnomah Falls

Fifth on the list of top US waterfalls is this gorgeous looking waterfall on the famous Columbia River. Height 620ft. Best time to visit: all year long! Location: Columbia River Gorge, Oregon, USA

6. Dry Falls

We will finish with something different. Dry falls are a look into the history and into the last ice age. At that time the glaciers blocked the Clark Fork river and the Columbia river creating two huge glacial lakes. With water rising it had to spill somewhere and in went over the now dry falls. At least dozen times the water rose high enough to destroy the ice dams that held these huge glacial lakes in place and a flood of cataclysmic proportions spilled over the now dry falls. The amount of water going over the falls was ten times the flow of all the current rivers in the world combined!! Best time to visit: all year long Location: Washington, USA

Travel Tips For Visiting Top US Waterfalls

If you are from outside of USA and you want to see all of these top US waterfalls, then first thing you will need to do is to acquire all the necessary documents needed to visit the states. A lot of people get confused when it comes to getting essential documents needed to travel to the US because it can be tricky, especially if one is visiting the country for the first time.  Travelling to america esta is one of the things you need to take care of before the trip, while you are still in your home country. The ESTA is document similar with the US visa but with one difference. The esta is for Citizens of visa waiver program countries that are visiting USA for a short period of time. Since it is limited to Citizens of visa waiver program countries, it is better to check if your country is among these visa waiver program countries. In case you are not eligible for an esta, you will have to apply for a US visa. Getting a US visa could be demanding especially if one is not familiar with the US system. It is also advisable that you carry out the ESTA application check before applying for a US visa.

If you like to be your own boss and make your own plans then renting a car is the best option. If you like to stay in national parks then you might even consider renting a RV. This way you can stay inside the park in camping grounds and really take time and enjoy the nature. On the other hand, if you like to meet new people and don’t want to bother with planning and organizing your trip, then you can even try traveling to California by party bus, and check the Yosemite waterfalls on the way. This way you can meet new people, make friends and make sure there is always something going on.

 

 

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