11 spectacular US waterfalls in fall

Niagara gets a lot of hype, and so does Yosemite, but the US is littered with amazing waterfalls. If there’s only one thing this country knows how to do (and there might be), it’s rack up natural wonders. You might think you know all the big ones, and you might think the rest are all smushed into the Pacific Northwest, but there are dozens worth knowing about. Some are major state attractions, others a reward for those who bother to make the trek. And autumn is the season when waterfalls feel their most powerful. The air is cooler, trails are brighter, and the surrounding forests ignite with color, turning these landscapes into some of the country’s best fall scenes. From Washington to New York, here are the most impresive waterfalls to see in the country’s most spectacular season.

Northeast & Mid-Atlantic | Southeast | Midwest | West

Kaaterskill Falls, New York

One of the tallest waterfalls in the Eastern US, Kaaterskill Falls plunges 260 feet in two tiers through a sandstone amphitheater in the Catskills. It’s been a muse for artists and writers since the 19th century, when the Hudson River School painters immortalized it as a symbol of untamed wilderness. Today, a short trail from Laurel House Road leads to safe overlooks, while a steeper descent brings you close to the base. In autumn, when the surrounding forest erupts in reds and golds, the two-tiered cascade becomes one of the most dramatic sights in New York’s mountains.

Taughannock Falls, New York

Pronounced tuh-GA-nick, Taughannock Falls is the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rockies — plunging 215 feet, 33 feet higher than Niagara. About 10 miles north of Ithaca, Taughannock Falls State Park delivers big drama without the lines and attractions that surround its famous cousin. The 0.75-mile Gorge Trail offers a quick and easy walk to the base, while the 1.5-mile North Rim and 1.2-mile South Rim trails climb above the gorge for sweeping views. In fall, the surrounding cliffs and forests ignite in shades of copper and gold, making the towering waterfall feel even more striking against the season’s colors.

Amicalola Falls, Georgia

“Tumbling Water” — that’s what Amicalola means in Cherokee, and you’ll feel the name’s power as this waterfall plunges 729 feet over multiple tiers, earning its status as the tallest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi and one of Georgia’s “Seven Natural Wonders.” Set amid more than 800 acres within the Chattahoochee National Forest, this park is both a fall leaf-lover’s dream and an adventurer’s hub. From the gentle stroll to the base of the falls to the legendary East Ridge Trail that climbs via staircases and switchbacks to scenic overlooks, there’s a trail for every interest and energy level. Fall here is spectacular. The hardwood forest blazes with shades of red, orange, and gold, and from the overlooks you can watch the long white ribbons of the falls cutting through the autumn canopy.

Burgess Falls, Tennessee

Just a short drive — less than 90 minutes — from Nashville lies Burgess Falls, a dramatic finale to a quartet of waterfalls tumbling 250 feet over limestone ledges within Burgess Falls State Park. The Falling Water River builds through a cascade of smaller drops before launching over the final 136-foot plunge into a narrow gorge framed by sheer 150-foot bluffs. What makes Burgess stand out is its multi-fall sequence — you stroll past minor cascades, Middle Falls, and then the breathtaking main drop — all on a well-marked 1.5-mile loop. Fall adds another dimension: the mixed mesophytic forest explodes in saffron, russet, and poppy hues, and the contrast of bright leaves against the gray limestone is simply stunning. Expect a bit of effort — there are stairs and uneven ground near the overlook — but the payoff is a waterfall that feels wild, perfect for any fall itinerary.

Cumberland Falls, Kentucky

At 68 feet tall and 125 feet wide, Cumberland Falls is the largest waterfall by volume south of Niagara in the Eastern US. But size isn’t what makes it famous — Cumberland is home to the moonbow, a lunar rainbow that arcs across the mist on clear nights around the full moon. It’s the only place in the Western Hemisphere where this phenomenon happens regularly. Though easily accessible via the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, you could also raft the Cumberland River in the Daniel Boone National Forest for an up-close view of the cascade. In autumn, the surrounding maples and oaks blaze in shades of red and gold, and the earlier nightfall makes for prime moonbow conditions.

Linville Falls, North Carolina

Along the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 316, Linville Falls is the most popular waterfall in the Blue Ridge Mountains — and for good reason. Cascading in three tiers into the depths of Linville Gorge, sometimes called the “Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians,” the falls mark the dramatic start of this rugged wilderness. The network of trails offers something for every traveler: the moderate 1.6-mile Erwins View Trail delivers multiple overlooks with different perspectives of the waterfall and gorge; an alternate trail takes you closer to the river’s roar; and a more strenuous path leads down toward the base for those who want to see the power of the falls up close. In autumn, the forest canopy turns brilliant shades of scarlet, amber, and gold, framing the falls in striking seasonal color.

Minnehaha Falls, Minnesota

Set within Minneapolis’ Minnehaha Regional Park, this 53-foot cascade is one of the country’s most celebrated urban waterfalls. The falls tumble over limestone bluffs into a tree-lined gorge, just steps from the Mississippi River and the city’s famed Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway. In fall, oaks, elms, and silver maples ignite in brilliant color, framing the waterfall in a canopy of gold and crimson. And if you return in winter, the flow freezes into a shimmering curtain of ice, turning the park into a dramatic cold-weather spectacle.

Tahquamenon Falls, Michigan

Tahquamenon Falls is either two or six falls, depending on your perception. The Upper Falls — a 50-foot drop and nearly 200 feet across — is the dramatic centerpiece, its tannin-stained waters earning it the nickname “Root Beer Falls.” A few miles downstream, the Lower Falls tumble in five smaller cascades around a wooded island. The surrounding Tahquamenon Falls State Park covers nearly 50,000 acres, making it one of Michigan’s largest. Trails, campgrounds, and abundant wildlife make it a year-round destination, but in autumn the forest erupts in red, orange, and gold — a colorful contrast to the amber river. A new accessible boardwalk at the Upper Falls is expected to open in 2025, adding fresh vantage points on one of the Midwest’s most spectacular seasonal scenes.

Burney Falls, California

Burney Falls plunges 129 feet in a broad, shimmering curtain, fed year-round by underground springs that pour more than 100 million gallons of water over its cliff each day. The steady flow means the falls never run dry, even late in the season, making them one of California’s most reliable natural spectacles. The waterfall sits within McArthur–Burney Falls Memorial State Park in Northern California, a 900-acre stretch of forest, trails, and lakeshore. In autumn, fiery oaks and golden maples surround the deep blue pool at its base, creating one of the most striking seasonal scenes in the state.

Latourell Falls, Oregon

On the Historic Columbia River Scenic Byway — where Multnomah Falls draws the biggest crowds — Latourell Falls offers a more peaceful but no less dramatic stop. The waterfall drops 224 feet in a single, straight plunge over cliffs of columnar basalt streaked with lime-green lichen, making it one of the most striking sights in the Gorge. A short paved trail takes you right to the base, where the spray rises from the plunge pool, while a longer loop winds uphill through forest to the quieter Upper Latourell Falls. Come fall, maples and bigleaf trees turn the canyon brilliant shades of yellow and gold, adding a fiery frame to the dark volcanic rock. With its easy access and photogenic setting, Latourell is one of the best alternatives to Multnomah for a autumn visit.

Palouse Falls, Washington

Out of Eastern Washington’s ancient lava beds and dry scablands rises Palouse Falls, a mesmerizing cascade that plunges 200 feet into a swirling pool below. Carved by the Ice Age–era Missoula Floods, it stands amid near-400-foot basalt cliffs that showcase the raw power of Pleistocene geology. Spring brings the heaviest flows, but autumn has its own magic: golden light softens the canyon, cottonwoods and willows glow amber, and the cooler air keeps crowds away. Three designated viewpoints, including the dramatic Fryxell Overlook high above the gorge, offer safe but striking perspectives of the falls.

Shoshone Falls, Idaho

Nicknamed the “Niagara of the West” — and standing 45 feet taller than its namesake — the Snake River’s Shoshone Falls doesn’t need the comparison. The 212-foot cascade, nearly 900 feet across, thunders over a basalt rim carved by Ice Age floods, just outside the town of Twin Falls. Spring is when the falls put on their wildest show, but don’t overlook a visit in autumn. Even if irrigation and hydropower have thinned the flow, the canyon walls glow gold with cottonwoods and aspens, and the overlooks are far less crowded. The surrounding park offers picnic areas, trails, and overlooks with sweeping views of the Snake River Canyon.

Snoqualmie Falls, Washington

Twice as high as Niagara, Snoqualmie Falls packs in over one million visitors a year, making it Washington’s second-most popular attraction after Mount Rainier. You might recognize its misty plunge from Twin Peaks, and it has also been a sacred site for the Snoqualmie Tribe for centuries. At 268 feet tall, the cascade has long been a place of spiritual power, and in 2019 the Snoqualmie Tribe reclaimed ownership of the falls, the historic lodge, and 45 surrounding acres. Today, two observation decks make it easy to experience the thundering drop from different angles. In autumn, when the surrounding maples blaze gold and scarlet, the falls take on an even more cinematic quality. Cooler air means fewer visitors, and the viewpoints feel calmer, giving you time to take in the roar, the mist, and the sweep of the valley that has inspired both legends and television.

Upper Mesa Falls, Idaho

Upper Mesa Falls crashes more than 100 feet over volcanic cliffs, a curtain of whitewater as tall as a ten-story building. Just a mile downstream, Lower Mesa Falls continues the spectacle with another thundering drop. Together, they form one of the last stretches of the Snake River left completely wild — most of its other waterfalls have long been harnessed by dams. The falls are easily reached along the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway in Targhee National Forest, not far from Yellowstone. A paved boardwalk and viewing platforms put you right at the edge, where autumn paints the surrounding aspens and alders gold against the black basalt. It’s a raw, powerful scene, and one of the region’s best fall detours.