Not every great waterfall needs a long hike. These 20 top-rated falls across 16 states can be seen from a roadside viewpoint, a paved path, a boardwalk or a short walk from the parking area, which makes them ideal for families, older visitors and quick stops on a road trip.
How We Picked
We only included waterfalls whose Google listing or reviews explicitly describe easy access, such as roadside viewing, paved trails, boardwalks or "accessible from the parking lot". Anything described as a hike, or tagged by reviewers as steep or strenuous, was left out. From the 20 that qualified, we ranked by a weighted Google rating. Access can change with weather and repairs, so check conditions before you go.
| # | Waterfall | State | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Upper Falls (Tahquamenon Falls) | Michigan | 4.9 (1,223) |
| 2 | Bluehole Falls | Tennessee | 4.9 (94) |
| 3 | Hayes Creek Falls | Colorado | 4.9 (33) |
| 4 | Anna Ruby Falls | Georgia | 4.8 (1,559) |
| 5 | Sabbaday Falls | New Hampshire | 4.8 (420) |
| 6 | Smith Falls | Nebraska | 4.8 (189) |
| 7 | Spearfish Falls | South Dakota | 4.8 (174) |
| 8 | Fumee Falls | Michigan | 4.8 (162) |
| 9 | Reedy Cove Falls | South Carolina | 4.8 (133) |
| 10 | Roughlock Falls | South Dakota | 4.8 (127) |
| 11 | Gooseberry Falls | Minnesota | 4.8 (106) |
| 12 | McDonald Falls | Montana | 4.8 (53) |
| 13 | Crystal Falls | Washington | 4.7 (44) |
| 14 | Fern Rock Falls | Oregon | 4.7 (62) |
| 15 | Cullasaja Falls | North Carolina | 4.7 (170) |
| 16 | Helen Hunt Falls | Colorado | 4.7 (750) |
| 17 | Beaver Brook Falls | New Hampshire | 4.5 (26) |
| 18 | Falling Creek Falls | Florida | 4.6 (251) |
| 19 | Linda Falls | California | 4.4 (48) |
| 20 | Waimea Falls | Hawaii | 4.3 (520) |
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1. Upper Falls (Tahquamenon Falls)
Upper Falls near Newberry takes the top spot, rated 4.9 out of 5 from 1,223 reviews. Visitors come here for fall colors, wheelchair accessibility, and walk to falls.
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Reviewers describe it with "walk to falls" and "boardwalk". Rated 4.9 stars by 1,223 Google reviewers. The nearest town is Newberry, about 19 miles to the southwest.
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2. Bluehole Falls
Bluehole Falls, near Manchester, is next up, rated 4.9 out of 5 from 94 reviews. Visitors come here for swimming hole, stone fort, and dog friendly.
Coffee County, TN 37355 (GPS 35.4863, -86.1041)
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Reviewers describe it with "easy access". Rated 4.9 stars by 94 Google reviewers. The nearest town is Manchester, about 0.9 miles to the east.
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3. Hayes Creek Falls
Hayes Creek Falls, near Carbondale, is next up, rated 4.9 out of 5 from 33 reviews. Visitors come here for roadside access, easy access, and accessibility.
Pitkin County, CO 81623 (GPS 39.1592, -107.2521)
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Reviewers describe it with "easy access". Rated 4.9 stars by 33 Google reviewers. The nearest town is Carbondale, about 17 miles to the north.
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4. Anna Ruby Falls
Anna Ruby Falls near Cleveland rounds out this stretch of the list, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 1,559 reviews.
White County, GA 30571 (GPS 34.7634, -83.7121)
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Access: "Picturesque waterfall with a visitor's center accessible by driving through Unicoi State Park." Rated 4.8 stars by 1,559 Google reviewers. The nearest town is Cleveland, about 12 miles to the south.
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5. Sabbaday Falls
Sabbaday Falls near Tamworth rounds out this stretch of the list, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 420 reviews.
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Access: "Gentle, paved trail to a sequence of narrow waterfalls in a forest renowned for its fall foliage." Rated 4.8 stars by 420 Google reviewers. The nearest town is Tamworth, about 11 miles to the southeast.
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6. Smith Falls
Smith Falls near Valentine is another strong option, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 189 reviews. Visitors come here for falls access, river floating, and tallest waterfall.
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Reviewers describe it with "easy walk". Note that the route includes stairs or steps. Rated 4.8 stars by 189 Google reviewers. The nearest town is Valentine, about 12 miles to the west.
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7. Spearfish Falls
Spearfish Falls near Lead is worth the drive, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 174 reviews. Visitors come here for walk to falls, trail to bottom, and pretty waterfall.
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Reviewers describe it with "walk to falls" and "easy walk". Rated 4.8 stars by 174 Google reviewers. The nearest town is Lead, about 8.1 miles to the east.
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8. Fumee Falls
Fumee Falls in Quinnesec is worth the drive, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 162 reviews. Visitors come here for stairs to the top, observation deck, and roadside falls.
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Access: "Roadside waterfall offering stairs to the top with a viewing platform, plus picnic spots." Reviewers describe it with "observation deck". Note that the route includes stairs or steps. Rated 4.8 stars by 162 Google reviewers. It is right in Quinnesec.
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9. Reedy Cove Falls
Reedy Cove Falls near Pickens is worth the drive, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 133 reviews.
Pickens County, SC 29685 (GPS 35.0137, -82.8187)
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Access: "Scenic spot with a twin waterfall, accessed by a short, flat walk to a viewing platform." Rated 4.8 stars by 133 Google reviewers. The nearest town is Pickens, about 11 miles to the southeast.
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10. Roughlock Falls
Head to Roughlock Falls near Lead, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 127 reviews. Visitors come here for low cascading falls, walk to falls, and streams.
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Reviewers describe it with "walk to falls". Rated 4.8 stars by 127 Google reviewers. The nearest town is Lead, about 8.8 miles to the east.
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11. Gooseberry Falls
Gooseberry Falls near Two Harbors rounds out this stretch of the list, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 106 reviews. Visitors come here for paved trail, walking trails, and peaceful experience.
Silver Creek Township, MN 55616
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Reviewers describe it with "paved trail". Rated 4.8 stars by 106 Google reviewers. The nearest town is Two Harbors, about 13 miles to the southwest.
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12. McDonald Falls
McDonald Falls near Columbia Falls is worth the drive, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 53 reviews. Visitors come here for turquoise water color, heavy flow, and viewpoint.
Flathead County, MT 59936 (GPS 48.6402, -113.8632)
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Reviewers describe it with "easy access". Rated 4.8 stars by 53 Google reviewers. The nearest town is Columbia Falls, about 24 miles to the southwest.
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13. Crystal Falls
Crystal Falls near Colville is another strong option, rated 4.7 out of 5 from 44 reviews. Visitors come here for trails, picnic area, and scenic views.
Stevens County, WA 99114 (GPS 48.5122, -117.6568)
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Reviewers describe it with "easy walk". Rated 4.7 stars by 44 Google reviewers. The nearest town is Colville, about 12 miles to the west.
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14. Fern Rock Falls
Head to Fern Rock Falls near Banks, rated 4.7 out of 5 from 62 reviews. Visitors come here for short walk, easy walk, and easy access.
Tillamook County, OR 97141 (GPS 45.6073, -123.4373)
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Reviewers describe it with "short walk", "easy walk", and "easy access". Rated 4.7 stars by 62 Google reviewers. The nearest town is Banks, about 16 miles to the east.
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15. Cullasaja Falls
Cullasaja Falls near Franklin is another strong option, rated 4.7 out of 5 from 170 reviews.
Macon County, NC 28741 (GPS 35.1170, -83.2700)
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Access: "National forest waterfall cascading through a gorge from 250 ft., with a roadside viewpoint & trail." Rated 4.7 stars by 170 Google reviewers. The nearest town is Franklin, about 7.8 miles to the northwest.
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16. Helen Hunt Falls
Helen Hunt Falls near Manitou Springs rounds out this stretch of the list, rated 4.7 out of 5 from 750 reviews.
El Paso County, CO 80906 (GPS 38.7886, -104.9030)
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Access: "Small waterfall on Cheyenne Creek, accessible from the parking lot, with a hiking trail beyond." Rated 4.7 stars by 750 Google reviewers. The nearest town is Manitou Springs, about 5.0 miles to the north.
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17. Beaver Brook Falls
Beaver Brook Falls near Keene is worth the drive, rated 4.5 out of 5 from 26 reviews. Visitors come here for walk to falls, easy walk, and hike.
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Reviewers describe it with "walk to falls" and "easy walk". Rated 4.5 stars by 26 Google reviewers. The nearest town is Keene, about 2.1 miles to the southwest.
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18. Falling Creek Falls
Falling Creek Falls near Five Points is worth the drive, rated 4.6 out of 5 from 251 reviews. Visitors come here for boardwalk, picnic tables, and walk to the falls.
Columbia County, FL 32055 (GPS 30.2600, -82.6676)
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Reviewers describe it with "boardwalk". Rated 4.6 stars by 251 Google reviewers. The nearest town is Five Points, about 4.0 miles to the southeast.
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19. Linda Falls
Linda Falls near Angwin is another strong option, rated 4.4 out of 5 from 48 reviews. Visitors come here for easy walk, kids, and hidden gem.
Napa County, CA 94508 (GPS 38.5557, -122.4423)
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Reviewers describe it with "easy walk". Rated 4.4 stars by 48 Google reviewers. The nearest town is Angwin, about 1.4 miles to the north.
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20. Waimea Falls
Waimea Falls near Pupukea is another strong option, rated 4.3 out of 5 from 520 reviews.
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Access: "A 45-ft.-tall waterfall accessed via a paved path or shuttle through scenic botanical gardens." Rated 4.3 stars by 520 Google reviewers. The nearest town is Pupukea, about 2.0 miles to the northwest.
Tips for Easy Waterfall Visits
- Stay behind railings and on viewing platforms. Short trails still end at slick rock and steep drops; see our waterfall safety tips.
- Visit after a few days of rain for the strongest flow; our guide to the best time to visit waterfalls explains why.
- Bringing children? Read waterfall hikes with kids for age-by-age advice.
Frequently asked questions
What waterfalls can you see without hiking?
Our top picks are Upper Falls in Michigan, Bluehole Falls in Tennessee, and Hayes Creek Falls in Colorado. Each one has a roadside viewpoint, a paved path, a boardwalk or a short walk from parking, based on its listing and visitor reviews.
Are these waterfalls wheelchair accessible?
Not necessarily. Easy access means a short or paved route, but several include stairs, slopes or uneven ground. Check the listing details and the land manager before visiting with a wheelchair or stroller.
How did you choose these waterfalls?
We looked for listings or Google reviews that describe roadside viewing, paved paths, boardwalks, easy walks or access from the parking lot, excluded any described as a hike or flagged as steep, and required a rating of at least 4.3 stars. 20 waterfalls qualified; these are the highest rated by a weighted score.
When are roadside waterfalls least crowded?
Early mornings on weekdays. Short-walk waterfalls fill up quickly on summer weekends and holidays because they suit every age and fitness level.