Waterfall

An 80-foot waterfall in the heart of Hilo that drops into a circular pool surrounded by a cave and tropical vegetation. The falls are visible from a paved overlook just steps from the parking lot making it one of the easiest waterfall viewpoints in Hawaii. On sunny mornings, rainbows form in the mist at the base of the falls, which is how it got its name. A short trail leads to the top of the falls through a grove of enormous banyan trees. The whole visit takes 15 to 30 minutes. A perfect quick stop in Hilo.

A 4-mile round trip trail through a dense bamboo forest that is one of the most magical walks in Hawaii. The trail ends at Waimoku Falls, a 400-foot waterfall cascading down a cliff face. Walking through the towering bamboo grove with the stalks creaking and swaying overhead is an unforgettable sensory experience for kids. The trail also passes a massive banyan tree. This hike is in the Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park at the end of the Road to Hana so plan your drive time accordingly.

A gorgeous state park with a gorge trail, multiple waterfalls, and one of the best natural swimming holes in the Finger Lakes. The swimming area below Enfield Falls has a lifeguard-staffed pool formed by the creek, surrounded by rock walls and forest. Lucifer Falls upstream is a dramatic 115-foot cascade visible from a stone stairway bridge. The park offers 4 miles of trails through the gorge with over a dozen waterfalls. Kids love the combination of hiking and swimming and the old stone structures throughout the park add character.

A unique landscape of dwarf pine barrens, ice caves, and dramatic cliff-top views on the highest point of the Shawangunk Ridge. Kids are fascinated by the ice caves, narrow rock passages where ice persists into summer. The loop trail to the caves is about 3 miles and the Verkeerderkill Falls overlook adds a spectacular waterfall view. The dwarf pine barrens at the top are globally rare and feel like another planet. This is one of the most unique hiking experiences in downstate New York.

A short half-mile trail through the woods that leads to a stunning waterfall tumbling over a wide rock shelf. The trail is easy enough for younger kids and the payoff is huge. The falls drop about 50 feet and in spring they are roaring. Kids love climbing around the rocks at the base (carefully). You can extend the hike by continuing to the Lake George shoreline at Shelving Rock Bay for a swim in the warm months.

A beautiful gorge park with a natural swimming area, three waterfalls, and rugged gorge trails. The swimming area in the creek-fed pool at the base of the gorge is a summertime favorite for families. The Gorge Trail climbs past sculpted rock formations and the three waterfalls are each uniquely beautiful. The park is smaller and less crowded than the Ithaca gorge parks making it feel more intimate. Picnic areas with grills and a playground round out the family amenities.

Home to a 215-foot waterfall that is taller than Niagara Falls, plunging into a natural amphitheater of rock walls. The Gorge Trail is a flat, easy 1.5-mile round trip walk along the creek bed to the base of the falls. Even toddlers in carriers can make this walk. The scale of the falls and the surrounding cliffs is genuinely awe-inspiring. A rim trail on top offers a different perspective looking down into the gorge. The park also has a swimming beach, playground, and picnic area on Cayuga Lake.

A dramatic escarpment park with cliff-top views stretching 40 miles across the Hudson and Mohawk Valleys. The Indian Ladder Trail is the signature hike, descending along the cliff face on stairs and walkways behind a waterfall. Kids love walking behind the waterfall and the geology exposed in the cliff face spans millions of years. The park has over 25 miles of trails, a swimming pool, playgrounds, and picnic areas. The Helderberg Escarpment is one of the richest fossil-bearing rock formations in the world.

The first major stop on the Road to Hana and one of the most accessible waterfall hikes on Maui. A short trail through a lush farm property leads to twin waterfalls with a swimmable pool at the base. The trail is about 2 miles round trip and passes through tropical fruit trees and vegetation. A farm stand at the trailhead sells fresh fruit and smoothies. Kids love the combination of jungle hiking and swimming under a waterfall. The water is refreshing and the setting is beautiful.

A gentle 3.6-mile round trip hike through a beautiful hemlock forest to a wide, picturesque waterfall that cascades into a swimming pool. The trail is mostly flat and follows along a creek, making it one of the most family-friendly hikes in the Catskills. Kids love wading in the pool below the falls on warm days. The forest is shady and cool even in summer. This is a perfect hike for families who want a waterfall payoff without a steep climb.

A dramatic 173-foot double waterfall visible from a roadside overlook that requires zero hiking. You may recognize it from the opening credits of Fantasy Island. The twin falls plunge into a deep pool surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and the view from the overlook is spectacular. After heavy rain the falls can merge into one massive cascade. This is the easiest big waterfall experience on Kauai and perfect for families with young children or limited mobility. The whole visit takes 10 to 15 minutes from car to car.

Kayak up the Wailua River, the only navigable river in Hawaii, through a lush jungle setting to a short trail that leads to the beautiful Uluwehi Falls (Secret Falls). The river paddle is about 2 miles each way and is calm and easy even for beginners. The waterfall at the end drops 120 feet into a pool where swimming is a refreshing reward. Guided tours and self-guided kayak rentals are both available. The combination of paddling through jungle scenery and swimming under a waterfall is a quintessential Kauai experience.

A paved trail through a lush botanical garden leading to a beautiful 45-foot waterfall with a swimming pool at the base. The 1.5-mile walk passes through gardens with over 5000 tropical plant species and ancient Hawaiian archaeological sites. Kids love swimming in the waterfall pool which is staffed with lifeguards and has life jackets available. The paved path is stroller-friendly making this one of the most accessible waterfall experiences in Hawaii. Cultural demonstrations and guided walks are offered throughout the day.

A lookout point at the top of a dramatic 1000-foot cliff overlooking the Valley of the Kings, one of the most sacred and beautiful valleys in Hawaii. The view from the top is breathtaking with black sand beach, waterfalls, taro fields, and sheer green cliffs. The valley was once the political and religious center of ancient Hawaii. Driving down into the valley requires a 4WD vehicle on an extremely steep road, but the lookout itself is a simple walk from the parking lot. The scenery alone makes it one of the Big Island must-see stops.

One of the most spectacular state parks in the entire country with a gorge trail that passes behind and under 19 waterfalls in just 2 miles. The stone pathway winds through 200-foot-deep gorge walls with water cascading all around you. Kids are wide-eyed the entire time. The trail is paved with stone steps and has railings making it accessible for careful young walkers. The centerpiece Rainbow Falls is unforgettable. Go early in the morning to beat the crowds and have the gorge to yourselves.

The newest trail addition to Beavers Bend State Park and already one of the most popular with families. This 1.5-mile loop is rated 4.8 stars for good reason. The highlight is a small waterfall along the Mountain Fork River that kids go crazy for. The trail is well maintained and manageable for younger hikers while still feeling like a genuine woods adventure. If you only have time for one trail during your trip this is the one to pick.

Where Austin families go when they want a proper adventure that feels miles from civilization. The 1.5-mile round-trip hike to Gorman Falls ends at a stunning 70-foot waterfall draped in ferns and mosses that genuinely stuns kids who have never seen anything like it. Spicewood Springs near the campground offers a series of spring-fed pools with some of the clearest and most refreshing swimming in the Hill Country. The park also offers guided cave tours and 35 miles of trails making it one of the most activity-dense state parks in Central Texas for active families.

A beautifully designed park in the heart of Frisco with a flowing brook, stone bridges, and the striking Cattle Drive bronze sculpture display. Kids love watching for turtles in the creek and climbing on the rocks near the water features. The park has open lawns, tree-lined paths, and a small waterfall that all work as natural portrait backdrops. It is one of the most photographed parks in the city for good reason and you will likely see other photographers there on any given evening.

A natural horseshoe-shaped waterfall on the Guadalupe River near the charming Hill Country town of Comfort where kids can play in the shallow rapids above the falls and wade in the calm pool below. The spot is accessible from a roadside pull-off and local families have been coming here for generations. There are no facilities so pack what you need but the natural beauty more than makes up for the lack of amenities. The town of Comfort itself has great food and antique shops for a post-swim stop.

A collapsed grotto with a 50-foot waterfall spilling into a jade-green natural pool surrounded by massive limestone overhangs draped in ferns and moss. It is one of the most stunning natural swimming holes in Texas and kids are awestruck the moment they see it. Reservations are mandatory and sell out quickly. The quarter-mile trail from the parking area descends steeply so it is not suitable for very young children or strollers.