Horsetail Falls is a waterfall in Chugach County, Alaska, about 15 miles east of Valdez. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.
At a glance
- Location
- Chugach County, AK
- Nearest town
- Valdez (15 mi)
- Visitor rating
- 4.8 from 36 reviews
- Crowds
- Quieter
- Access
- Easy access reported
- Coordinates
- 61.06806, -145.90556
- USGS topo
- Valdez A-6 SE quad
Weather at Horsetail Falls
Full NWS forecastForecast for the waterfall's exact location, not the nearest town. Mountain weather can change quickly.
Loading the forecast...
Source: National Weather Service.
Conditions at Horsetail Falls
Sun and Daylight Today
- Sunrise
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- Sunset
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- Daylight
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- Golden hour
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Times in Anchorage time. Canyons and steep valleys lose direct sun earlier.
Elevation
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At the mapped waterfall point, from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Expect cooler temperatures than in nearby towns at lower elevation.
Nearest Stream Gauge
Checking for USGS gauges within about 8 miles...
Live discharge in cubic feet per second (ft³/s). The gauge may be on a different stream than the falls; use the trend as a rough guide to how much water is running in the area.
Getting there
Horsetail Falls sits about 15 miles east of Valdez in Chugach County. Google lists the address as Valdez, AK 99686. Reviewers describe the approach with "easy access".
Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Horsetail Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.
Most of Alaska's named falls lie on public land managed by the Tongass and Chugach national forests, the National Park Service, state parks such as Chugach State Park, or the Bureau of Land Management, with some on Native corporation land where permission may be needed. Only a minority are on the road system; elsewhere, access depends on ferries, floatplanes or boats, and weather delays are routine. Bears are present across the state, so carrying bear spray and making noise on brushy trails is standard practice. Glacial meltwater is dangerously cold and silty, which hides depth and footing, and rivers rise quickly on warm afternoons. Near glaciers, ice calving and rockfall make approaching the base of a fall unwise. Rain gear and layers are essential even in July.
What to bring
This checklist is tailored to Horsetail Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of Alaska. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.
- Offline map and coordinates. Save 61.06806, -145.90556 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
- Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
- Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
- A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
- Warm layers. Northern and mountain weather changes quickly; spring and fall mornings can be near freezing.
- Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.
How to prepare
Timing
Alaska's waterfall season is short and runs roughly from late May into September. Snowmelt drives the strongest flows from late May through June in Southcentral and the Interior, while glacier-fed streams keep running hard through July and August as summer heat melts ice. In Southeast Alaska, rain matters as much as melt: the wettest stretch typically arrives in autumn, so September and October can produce surging falls along with low cloud and short days. Brooks Falls draws visitors in July, when sockeye runs peak, and again in September. Winter brings deep snow, avalanche danger on steep approaches and many frozen falls, though some roadside cascades become ice climbing objectives. Cruise-ship days concentrate crowds at Juneau and Skagway trailheads in midsummer. With 36 reviews, it sees fewer visitors than the region's headline falls, so you may have it to yourself on a weekday.
Safety
Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.
Respect the place
Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.
What visitors say
Horsetail Falls holds a 4.8-star average across 36 Google reviews, and 83% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the number 2 waterfall by review count in Chugach County. Visitors have shared 146 photos.
Hiking trails through a lush spruce forest lead to this scenic waterfall with an observation area.
The topics that come up most in reviews: photo opportunitieseasy accesslocationveilbridalfalls
See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.
History of the area
Horsetail Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on January 1, 2000, and it appears on the USGS Valdez A-6 SE 7.5-minute topographic map.
Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: Keystone Canyon (valley, 0.7 mi), Browns Creek (stream, 1.4 mi), and Snowslide Gulch (valley, 1.8 mi).
Prince William Sound and Southcentral. Southcentral Alaska pairs the Chugach Mountains with the road system, so this is where the most drive-up waterfalls are found. Near Valdez, the walls of Keystone Canyon along the Richardson Highway carry Bridal Veil Falls and other cascades within sight of the road. Inland, Liberty Falls drops toward the Copper River basin northeast of Valdez. Closer to Anchorage, Thunder Bird Falls lies on Thunder Bird Creek just above its junction with the Eklutna River, a short outing from the city. The Kenai Peninsula and Matanuska-Susitna valleys add a few more, generally on glacier-fed creeks that run milky and cold through summer.
Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip
More around here: waterfalls near Valdez · Chugach County waterfalls · all Alaska waterfalls · 10 Best Waterfalls in Alaska · 5 Best Waterfall Hiking Locations in Alaska · 5 Most Visited Waterfalls in Alaska
Frequently asked questions
Where is Horsetail Falls?
Horsetail Falls is in Chugach County, Alaska, about 15 miles east of Valdez. Its coordinates are 61.06806, -145.90556.
Is Horsetail Falls crowded?
With 36 reviews, it sees fewer visitors than the region's headline falls, so you may have it to yourself on a weekday.
What should I bring to Horsetail Falls?
At minimum: offline map and coordinates, shoes with real grip, water and a snack, and a light rain layer. See the full checklist above, which is tailored to what visitors report about this waterfall.
When is the best time to visit Horsetail Falls?
Alaska's waterfall season is short and runs roughly from late May into September. Snowmelt drives the strongest flows from late May through June in Southcentral and the Interior, while glacier-fed streams keep running hard through July and August as summer heat melts ice.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee to visit Horsetail Falls?
Fees and permits depend on who manages the land. Check with the managing agency before you go. Our Alaska waterfalls page covers access in the state.
Summary
Horsetail Falls about 15 miles east of Valdez is rated 4.8 out of 5 by 36 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.
See the full Horsetail Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.