The 15 Best East Coast Waterfalls

If you’re among the countless Americans with way too much stress in your life, escaping to a breathtaking natural location may be just what the doctor ordered.

Water, in particular, has the power to soothe the soul. Best of all, an excursion to one of the best East Coast waterfalls need not break the bank. Program the coordinates for one of these amazing spots into your GPS.

Water is essential to life. All life on Earth arises from the water, and something deep in your psyche remembers this and cries out to its aquatic mother when you need healing, body, mind or soul. On a more practical level, a short getaway to a gorgeous waterfall often requires little preparation and expense.

Families with little ones can teach them practical survival skills while letting them run free after being cooped up behind a school desk all week long. Those who work weekends finally catch a break — many wild areas around the falls remain open 24/7 but are far less crowded on weekdays.

Best East Coast Waterfalls

1. Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls may win the title of the best-known waterfall in the world, or at least in the United States. Of course, this location may also take that distinction in Canada, too, as it lies on the nation’s border, letting folks with passports visit either side. Shopping and activities abound, making this a fabulous vacation destination when you have a week or more to spend.

Check out our full guide to Niagara Falls US vs Canada.

Although this spot abounds with hotels and vacation rentals, you’ll also find several superb campgrounds. You’ll find the best tent weather between late May and mid-September. Winters can be prohibitively cold for outdoor sleeping, although cold-season visitors sometimes awaken to a glimpse of the frozen falls, which is truly a spectacle to behold.

2. Houston Brook Falls

Niagara Falls is impressive, but if it’s a swimming hole you want, Houston Brook Falls in Maine is a far superior choice. There’s no need for death-defying feats in barrels to take a dip, although it can be a little risky when waters are highest. Wear a pair of swim shoes with significant grip to keep from falling on the slippery rocks.

It’s only a half-mile hike to this scenic location, and most people make the trek without trouble. Numerous roots traverse the path, so watch your step. An autumn trip is particularly breathtaking, as changing leaf colors highlight the falls. Stay at the nearby Happy Horseshoes or Spacious Skies Campgrounds or book a room at the Belmont Hotel in nearby Skowhegan.

3. Kent Falls

Kent Falls lies within Kent Falls State Park in Connecticut, which offers reserved campsites and cabins for weary travelers. There are also multiple hotels available in nearby Cornwell Bridge and New Milford. You can visit the covered bridge and waterfall during regular park hours from 8 a.m. to sunset daily.

Rockhounds will delight in learning this area once consisted of coral reefs, which later crystallized and transformed into marble. Cultural-minded sorts will adore the art trail, featuring works painted in the 19^th century with information about the artist and the location.

4. Upper Whitewater Falls 

Upper Whitewater Falls in North Carolina is one of the most accessible of the best East Coast waterfalls. You can even take a stroller to the upper viewing platform, and those in wheelchairs can also enjoy the vista. 

Read about our 10 favorite, easy-to-reach waterfalls in the US.

Upper Whitewater Falls lies near Gorges State Park and has designated campsites available to reserve. The facility hosts special events year-round, so check their calendar and plan your visit to learn about the area’s fauna, or huddle around the campfire for spooky Halloween tales.

Try fishing in nearby Bearwallow Creek or the Toxaway River, which contain rainbow and brown trout and smallmouth bass. If you are looking for great lodging nearby, check out the Greystone Inn which sits on the edge of Lake Toxaway.

5. Linville Falls

Linville Falls lies in an unincorporated area along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. This scenic byway is ideal for autumn travel, as the leaves come alive with color from mid-October on. However, you’ll have to investigate closures before you go in 2024, as many areas of the parkway remain closed in the state following the devastation of Hurricane Helene.

The attached campground has 50 tent and 20 RV spots, but they fill up early, as this is the Parkway’s most popular site. The hike to the falls itself qualifies as strenuous, with the gorge surrounding it bearing the nickname “The Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians.” Although you can’t swim in the waters, bring your camera for some spectacular pictures. 

6. Bash Bish Falls

Bash Bish Falls lies inside Bash Bish State Park in Massachusetts near the New York border. It’s the largest waterfall in the commonwealth, falling a full 60 feet into an emerald plunge pool. However, you can’t swim in the waters — conservation efforts demand experiencing the falls from the dedicated viewing deck.

Three trails lead to the falls, depending on where you park. Bash Bish State Park does not allow camping. However, those choosing the rugged Taconic Trail — a 12.4-mile trek — can pitch a tent at Taconic State Park Campground or rent a cabin.

Such visitors will want to arrive before mid-October, as the area opens for hunters soon after. You’ll also find numerous smaller hotels and short-term rentals not far from the park. 

7. Bushkill Falls

Bushkill Falls lies in Pennsylvania’s scenic Pocono Mountains — a resort area famed by skiers and honeymooners everywhere. If tent camping isn’t your thing, perhaps a stay in a room with a champagne glass-shaped hot tub is more to your liking? You’ll find no shortage of honeymoon havens if seeking a post-wedding day getaway. 

Find your perfect place to stay in the Poconos.

Fishing is permitted along the shores of nearby Twin Lakes, with permits available for $7 per person. You can also enjoy the many hiking trails around the falls or “mine for gemstones” by purchasing a $16 bag of rough and stirring it in the sluice to reveal hidden treasure. The Pocono Mountains feature numerous opportunities for outdoor getaways, from skiing to hiking to ziplining. 

Here are 15 fun things to do in the Poconos during the summer.

8. Crabtree Falls

Crabtree Falls is another spot to stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway. However, you may wish to call ahead, as damage from Hurricane Helene has resulted in closures. This part of the Parkway in North Carolina typically sees significant tourist traffic in mid-October, but booking a trip after cleanup completes will help the local economy rebound from the recent disaster. 

Getting to the falls once they open requires a 3-mile loop trail hike rated moderately strenuous, with most folks taking 1.5 to 2.5 hours to complete it. Those who continue instead of doubling back arrive at the campground along Crabtree Creek before returning to the trailhead parking area.

9. Great Falls 

The Potomac River played a pivotal role in U.S. history, and perhaps nowhere along it is as scenic as Great Falls. This beautiful 800-acre park lies only 15 minutes away from Washington, D.C., making it a worthy side trip.

Alternatively, take the kids on a combination tour of the nation’s capital and the surrounding natural environment. You’ll find no shortage of lodging, from motels to luxury establishments. If planning a weekend getaway, spend Saturday touring the nation’s capital and various monuments, followed by a Sunday picnic in the park and hike to the falls.

We have lots of great information to plan your DC trip. Here are the top things to do in DC with kids as well as the top DC hotels for families.

10. Issaqueena Falls 

Here’s another one of the best East Coast waterfalls that doesn’t require you to spend some time in the gym before you visit. Issaqueena Falls in South Carolina lies only 0.3 miles from the parking area and takes an average of 11 minutes to traverse on foot.

Feeling brave? Get in the Halloween spirit by traversing the 40-acre Stumphouse Tunnel, which requires a flashlight and steely nerves against the surrounding darkness. Some say the spirits of some workers who labored on constructing the tunnel never left.

11. Turtleback Falls

When summertime temperatures soar, Turtleback Falls is a go-to location for many a strong swimmer. It lies along the Horsepasture River in the Pisgah National Forest in western North Carolina near Rosman. The hike to the falls itself is rated moderate to strenuous, so bring plenty of water.

This destination is 3.5 miles from Gorges State Park, where many choose to camp. Those who don’t can find several VRBOs not far from the park entrance. Although the park service warns of several deaths in the area, you can still ride the cascade, but you’ll find a more serene swimming hole a third of a mile downriver near Hidden Falls.

12. Falling Waters State Park 

However, if it’s a winter getaway you crave, head to Falling Waters State Park in Florida. This park, not far from Tallahassee, features daytime highs in the 60s throughout the season, with nights rarely dropping below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The city also features multiple hotels.

The waterfall itself is 74 feet high, and the cascade grows with more precipitation, making observing the view from the attached platform the perfect rainy vacation day activity. You’ll also find countless restaurants — from casual to fine dining — and oodles of things for the little ones to do, including museums, science learning centers and trampoline and adventure parks.

13. Fulmer Falls

Fulmer Falls competes with Deer Leap Falls and Factory Falls for the title of the highest waterfall along the Delaware Water Gap in Pennsylvania.

It lies within the boundaries of Child’s Park, which closed in 2018 due to severe storms that felled multiple trees and destroyed structures. However, it reopened on October 2, 2024, following a brief ceremony, so plan your getaway now before the crowds rediscover this hot spot. 

Fulmer Falls is close enough to the Pocono Mountains and all the associated outdoor fun. There’s also no shortage of hotels, including some truly luxurious honeymoon retreats for those saying “I do.”

14. Stony Kills Falls

Stony Kills Falls in New York slows to a trickle during the early summer, making the rainy season a better time to visit. Its stone steps and wooden bridges give this location a fairy-tale-like vibe, although you might see more of nature than you like if you aren’t prepared. The small, tranquil swimming hole often features bathers in the buff, so prepare your kids — and yourself, if such sights disturb you.

Here are 12 great places to enjoy Hudson Valley fall foliage.

Stony Kills Falls lies within the Minnewaska State Park Preserve and isn’t a far hike from the main entrance on Route 44. It’s in the Hudson Valley — an area renowned for its apple picking, which is a worthy side trip in the fall. There are also ample hotels and short-term rentals for those who prefer not to camp.

15. Doane’s Falls

Peaceful and accessible, Doane’s Falls in Massachusetts lies only a half-mile walk from the parking area. Although swimming near the falls is prohibited, you can launch your canoe or kayak just upstream at the tranquil Codding’s Meadow. Pitch your tent at the nearby Tully Lake Campground, managed by the same trustees — it’s walk-in only, first-come, first-served.

Swimming and wading are now banned, due to unfortunate accidents. However, keeping the area open for biking, picnicking and hiking only preserves its wild nature. Stay in one of the numerous B&B’s in neighboring Royalston if camping isn’t your thing.

The Healing Power of Water

Simply being near water improves mental health outcomes, lowering feelings of psychological distress. Additionally, according to Heather Eliassen, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, time spent in soothing outdoor spaces such as around waterfalls induces better sleep, lowers your blood pressure and reduces your chronic disease risk.

Spending time near water also reminds you how fortunate you are when other circumstances make life look bleak. Only 0.5% of the Earth’s water is safe for consumption, and experts predict that increasing scarcity thanks to climate change will mean nearly half the world’s population could soon live in areas plagued by water shortages. That thundering waterfall in the background all but screams how lucky you are, even when you don’t feel that way.

Planning Your Trip to Visit the Best Waterfalls on the East Coast

A little planning makes your waterfall tour even more memorable. Here’s what to keep in mind when preparing for your visit.

Lodging Alternatives

Maybe you prefer the comfort of a hotel room or VRBO. Perhaps you’re a bit more rugged and enjoy the camping experience. Either way, you should arrange for a place to rest your head before departure unless planning an out-and-back day trip.

If camping, contact the park or applicable forest service and find out what they permit — and what you must reserve. For example, many established campgrounds have cabins available to rent, but they’re first-come, first-serve and require a credit card to save your spot. Some campsites allow RVs, while others are hike-in only. Knowing what to expect ensures you carry the right gear.

Some locations lend themselves to tourists more than others. For example, you’ll find no shortage of luxury and family-friendly hotels around Niagara Falls, including Great Wolf Lodge — a vacation destination in its own right. Those seeking an indulgent experience should choose their destinations accordingly or investigate Airbnb and VRBO. Investors often scoop up properties around beautiful natural locations and transform them into short-term rentals.