9 Favorite Waterfalls in the West

“Despite having grown up within about an hour of it, I didn’t find out about Phantom Falls in California’s Butte County until I was well into adulthood. It knocked my socks off! The gentle hike to the falls is teeming with lupine and poppy in the spring, and you can’t beat the dramatic scenery once you arrive. A hike down to the bottom only reveals more treasures, including charming orange-red newts!”  —Amy Aswell

“No matter the weather or time of year, Thunder Bird Falls—in Chugach State Park just north of Anchorage, Alaska—can be reached with a short, enjoyable hike. On a warm day, you can view the cascading falls from an elevated deck and also walk along Thunder Bird Creek. In freezing temps, the falls become beautiful sculpted ice, a true winter wonderland.”  —Courtney Everard

“My favorite place to marvel at a waterfall in the West is Havasu Falls, located within Arizona’s Grand Canyon on Havasupai land. The calcium carbonate in the water turns it a brilliant baby blue."  —Jon Mottesheard

“Burney Falls in Northern California’s McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park is an absolute marvel. The main flow of water is divided by a rock on the crest of the falls, and on the sides, there are many small streams passing through the rock, forming a beautiful curtain. In the summer, the river that forms the waterfall dries up, and only underground springs feed the magnificent waterfall. It’s hard to believe, but you can walk an easy trail along the upper part of the river to see where the flow starts.” —Elena Baryshnikova

“Located in a beautiful forest setting, just off I-84 in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge, is the multitiered Multnomah Falls. In springtime, it runs wildly due to winter rains. My favorite place to view the falls is on Benson Bridge. It’s an easy walk from the bottom of the falls and gives a fantastic view of both tiers as well as the pool below.” —Sharon Allen

“If you want to take a step into Rivendell from The Lord of the Rings, go visit Silver Falls State Park in Oregon. This beautiful park and campground is easily accessed from I-5 east of Salem. The trails were developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps and make an easy to medium hike. If you follow the Trail of Ten Falls, it will lead you to 10 waterfalls—and into the basalt crevices behind four of them. There is also a handicap-accessible area. The best time to visit is in late spring or early summer, when the waterfalls are in full flow, and the forest is vibrantly green.” —Sharon Russell

“Within the Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve near Fremont, California, there is an easy hike to a nice waterfall: the Alameda Creek Overlook, known locally as ‘Little Yosemite.’ While the falls are great, the best part is the hike, where you can see deer, owls, blue jays, butterflies, hawks, lizards, snakes—and cows. Yes, there are huge, domesticated cows roaming around the creek area near the waterfall!” —Alfred Jay Spielmann

“Called ‘the Niagara of the West,’ Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls, Idaho, is 212 feet high—which is actually taller than Niagara. It’s best viewed in spring, and it can be seen just off the main parking lot. They are named for the Shoshone people. Fun fact: Sacagawea was a Lemhi Shoshone, a branch of the Shoshone Tribe that lived 200 miles north of Twin Falls.” —Brenda Rees

“Silver Falls State Park is Oregon’s largest state park, located 20 miles east of Salem. South Falls is on the Trail of Ten Falls. At 177 feet high, it’s the most famous fall in the park. It’s also one of four that you can hike behind. You get to hear the crashing cascade while seeing the backside of water! South Falls is a quick walk from the parking lot, or you can explore the entire 7.2-mile trail, which will take you to all 10 falls. Scenes from the movie Twilight were filmed here.” —Doug Brown