Waterfalls

Rio Grande, PR

El Yunque National Forest

The only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest system, with roadside waterfalls and a canopy tower a short walk from the car.

Hiking
Ages 4+
~5h
Free

Chipley, FL

Falling Waters State Park

Florida's tallest waterfall drops seventy-three feet into a sinkhole and disappears underground - nobody knows where it goes.

Hiking
Ages 3+
~2h
Paid

Hana, HI

Ohe'o Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools)

Tiered waterfall pools spilling to the ocean in Haleakala's Kipahulu district. Swimming is closed; Kuloa Point Trail overlooks them.

Hiking
Ages 5+
~2h
Paid

Honomu, HI

Akaka Falls State Park

Easy paved walk to a jaw-dropping 442-foot waterfall through tropical jungle. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. About an hour.

Hiking
Ages 2+
~1h
Paid

Keene Valley, NY

Beaver Meadow Falls Trail

Scenic river trail to a beautiful 30-foot waterfall in the High Peaks. Free. Best from about age 5. About two hours. Dogs welcome.

Hiking
Ages 5+
~2h
Free

Long Lake, NY

Buttermilk Falls

One of the tallest Adirondack waterfalls with easy staircase access. Free. Best from about age 3. About an hour. Dogs welcome.

Hiking
Ages 3+
~1h
Free

Ithaca, NY

Buttermilk Falls State Park

Natural swimming pool at the base of a cascading waterfall near Ithaca. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 3+
~3h
Paid

Cazenovia, NY

Chittenango Falls State Park

Dramatic 167-foot single-plunge waterfall with easy overlook access. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour. Stroller-friendly.

Hiking
Ages 2+
~1h
Free

Moravia, NY

Fillmore Glen State Park

Quiet gorge with five waterfalls, a walk-behind cascade, and swimming pool. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.

Hiking
Ages 3+
~3h
Paid

Naples, NY

Grimes Glen Park

Wade up a fossil-filled creek to reach two hidden waterfalls in a narrow gorge. Free. Best from about age 5. About two hours.

Hiking
Ages 5+
~2h
Free

Halawa, HI

Halawa Valley Cultural Hike

Guided cultural hike through an ancient valley to a 250-foot double waterfall. Paid entry. Better for ages 6 and up. A half-day trip.

Hiking
Ages 6+
~4h
Paid

Wilmington, NY

High Falls Gorge

Walkway-accessible waterfalls through an ancient Ausable River gorge. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. About an hour.

Nature
Ages 2+
~1h
Paid

Keene Valley, NY

Indian Head and Rainbow Falls Trail

Epic hike past a 150-foot waterfall to the iconic Ausable Lakes cliff-top view. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. Easily a full day.

Hiking
Ages 8+
~7h
Free

Haines Falls, NY

Kaaterskill Falls Trail

The tallest two-tiered waterfall in New York State at 260 feet. Free. Best from about age 5. About two hours. Dogs welcome.

Hiking
Ages 5+
~2h
Free

Castile, NY

Letchworth State Park

Grand Canyon of the East with three major waterfalls and a 600-foot gorge. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

Hiking
Ages 2+
~4h
Paid

Honolulu, HI

Manoa Falls Trail

Rainforest hike to a 150-foot waterfall through a tropical jungle near Waikiki. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. About two hours.

Hiking
Ages 3+
~2h
Paid

Kailua, HI

Maunawili Falls Trail

Jungle hike to a swimmable waterfall pool through lush windward forest. Free. Better for ages 6 and up. A half-day trip.

Hiking
Ages 6+
~3h
Free

Kerhonkson, NY

Minnewaska State Park Preserve

Sky lakes, cliff-top trails, and swimming on the Shawangunk Ridge. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Stroller-friendly.

Hiking
Ages 3+
~4h
Paid

Eleele, HI

Na Pali Coast Boat Tour

Boat tour along 4,000-foot sea cliffs with waterfalls, sea caves, and dolphins. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Easily a full day.

Nature
Ages 5+
~5h
Paid

Boonville, NY

Pixley Falls State Park

Quick roadside walk to a beautiful 50-foot waterfall near Boonville. Free. Best from about age 3. About an hour. Stroller-friendly.

Hiking
Ages 3+
~1h
Free

Hilo, HI

Rainbow Falls (Waianuenue)

Easy drive-up 80-foot waterfall with morning rainbows in the mist. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour. Stroller-friendly.

Nature
Ages 1+
~0.5h
Free

Hana, HI

Road to Hana Bamboo Forest (Pipiwai Trail)

Magical bamboo forest hike to a 400-foot waterfall at the end of the Road to Hana. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.

Hiking
Ages 5+
~3h
Paid

Ithaca, NY

Robert H. Treman State Park

Gorge trails, multiple waterfalls, and a stunning natural swimming hole near Ithaca. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 3+
~3h
Paid

Cragsmoor, NY

Sam's Point Preserve

Ice caves, dwarf pine barrens, and cliff-top views on the Shawangunk Ridge. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.

Hiking
Ages 5+
~3h
Paid

Fort Ann, NY

Shelving Rock Falls Trail

Short family hike to a beautiful waterfall near Lake George. Free. Best from about age 4. About two hours. Dogs welcome.

Hiking
Ages 4+
~2h
Free

Dansville, NY

Stony Brook State Park

Gorge swimming, three waterfalls, and rock formations in a quiet setting. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 2+
~3h
Paid

Trumansburg, NY

Taughannock Falls State Park

Easy walk to a 215-foot waterfall taller than Niagara Falls. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. About two hours. Stroller-friendly.

Hiking
Ages 2+
~2h
Paid

Voorheesville, NY

Thacher State Park

Cliff-top escarpment park with a walk-behind waterfall and 40-mile views. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.

Hiking
Ages 3+
~3h
Paid

Haiku, HI

Twin Falls Maui

Easy waterfall hike with swimming at the first stop on the Road to Hana. Free. Best from about age 4. About two hours. Easy going.

Hiking
Ages 4+
~2h
Free

Kerhonkson, NY

Vernooy Kill Falls Trail

Easy forest hike to a beautiful waterfall with a swimming pool at the base. Free. Best from about age 4. About two hours.

Hiking
Ages 4+
~2h
Free

Lihue, HI

Wailua Falls

Drive-up 173-foot double waterfall famous from Fantasy Island opening credits. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour.

Nature
Ages 1+
~0.5h
Free

Kapaa, HI

Wailua River Kayaking

Kayak Hawaii's only navigable river, then hike to a 120-foot hidden waterfall you can swim under. Paid, ages 5+. No kayaking on Sundays.

Kayaking
Ages 5+
~5h
Paid

Honokaa, HI

Waipi'o Valley Lookout

Dramatic 1,000-foot cliff lookout over the sacred Valley of the Kings. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour. Stroller-friendly.

Nature
Ages 2+
~1h
Free

Watkins Glen, NY

Watkins Glen State Park

Walk behind 19 waterfalls through a stunning 200-foot-deep gorge. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. About two hours. Easy going.

Hiking
Ages 3+
~2h
Paid

Broken Bow, OK

Friends Trail Loop

Popular 1.5-mile family loop with a river waterfall in Beavers Bend State Park. Free. Best from about age 3. About an hour.

Hiking
Ages 3+
~1h
Free

Frisco, TX

Frisco Central Park

Scenic park with waterfalls and bronze cattle sculptures popular for portrait sessions. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour.

Photography
Ages 2+
~1h
Free

Comfort, TX

Guadalupe River at Horseshoe Falls

Natural horseshoe waterfall on the Guadalupe River near Comfort. Free. Best from about age 3. About two hours. Dogs welcome.

Swimming
Ages 3+
~2h
Free

Austin, TX

McKinney Falls State Park

Two limestone waterfalls with wading pools inside Austin city limits. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.

Hiking
Ages 3+
~3h
Paid

Johnson City, TX

Pedernales Falls State Park

Dramatic tilted limestone falls and river swimming in the Hill Country. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip.

Hiking
Ages 4+
~3h
Paid

Johnson City, TX

Pedernales Falls Trammel Crossing

Historic river crossing with natural wading pools away from the crowds. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. About two hours.

Swimming
Ages 3+
~2h
Paid

Austin, TX

Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve

Peaceful woodland trails with a waterfall and nature programs. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. About an hour. Moderate effort.

Hiking
Ages 4+
~1h
Paid

Richardson, TX

Prairie Creek Waterfall

Hidden suburban waterfall and shaded creek trail in Richardson. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour. Dogs welcome.

Hiking
Ages 2+
~1h
Free

Waterfalls for Kids