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Waterfalls to Photograph in the USA

2,893 waterfalls in 50 states, each with computed light, night-sky and weather data for planning. Pick a state, or start with the most documented locations below.

Top waterfalls

Celilo FallsWaterfall
Celilo FallsWasco County, OR · 50 m
Yosemite FallsWaterfall
Yosemite FallsMariposa County, CA · 1,368 m
Niagara FallsWaterfall
Niagara FallsNiagara County, NY · 153 m
Multnomah FallsWaterfall
Multnomah FallsMultnomah County, OR · 192 m
Brooks FallsWaterfall
Brooks FallsLake and Peninsula Borough, AK · 29 m
Comet FallsWaterfall
Comet FallsPierce County, WA · 1,501 m
Alamere FallsWaterfall
Alamere FallsMarin County, CA · 18 m
Christine FallsWaterfall
Christine FallsPierce County, WA · 1,125 m
Oloʻupena FallsWaterfall
Oloʻupena FallsMaui County, HI · 393 m
Horseshoe FallsWaterfall
Horseshoe FallsNiagara County, NY · 157 m
Horsetail FallWaterfall
Horsetail FallMariposa County, CA
Saint Anthony FallsWaterfall
Saint Anthony FallsHennepin County, MN · 241 m
Nevada FallWaterfall
Nevada FallMariposa County, CA · 1,719 m
American FallsWaterfall
American FallsNiagara County, NY · 154 m
Bridalveil FallWaterfall
Bridalveil FallMariposa County, CA · 1,352 m
Bridalveil FallsWaterfall
Bridalveil FallsAlger County, MI · 231 m
Vernal FallWaterfall
Vernal FallMariposa County, CA · 1,568 m
Havasu FallsWaterfall
Havasu FallsCoconino County, AZ · 866 m
Bridal Veil FallsWaterfall
Bridal Veil FallsNiagara County, NY · 154 m
Dry FallsWaterfall
Dry FallsGrant County, WA
Chilnualna FallWaterfall
Chilnualna FallMariposa County, CA · 1,946 m
Cumberland FallsWaterfall
Cumberland FallsMcCreary County, KY · 248 m
Illilouette FallWaterfall
Illilouette FallMariposa County, CA · 1,702 m
Buttermilk FallsWaterfall
Buttermilk FallsSussex County, NJ

By state

Map

How to photograph waterfalls

Waterfalls photograph best in soft, even light: overcast days, deep shade, or the hour after sunrise before direct sun hits the water. Bright sun on white water blows highlights and adds harsh contrast.

  • Use 1/4 to 1 second for a silky look; 1/500 s or faster freezes individual drops.
  • A circular polarizer cuts glare on wet rocks and leaves and deepens greens — rotate it while watching the rocks, not the sky.
  • Spring snowmelt and the days after heavy rain give the strongest flow; late summer flow can drop to a trickle.
  • Look for a foreground: a mossy boulder, a fallen log or the creek's leading lines make a stronger frame than the falls alone.
  • Keep a microfiber cloth handy — spray drifts onto the lens, especially at the plunge pool.

Season: Peak flow is usually in late spring; autumn adds color around the falls, and winter can bring ice formations at colder locations.