State guide

Waterfalls in Alaska

48 waterfalls across 20 counties, ranked 17th nationally. The main waterfall regions are Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage, Prince William Sound and Southcentral, and Southwest Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula.

Source: USGS Geographic Names Information System, with visitor ratings from Google Maps listings.

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Photo of Nugget Falls in Juneau City and County, Alaska
Pictured: Nugget Falls, AK

Towns

Why Alaska Has So Many Waterfalls

Alaska's waterfalls are products of ice, rain and relief on a scale found nowhere else in the country. Coastal mountain ranges rise almost straight out of the sea, glaciers have carved deep U-shaped valleys and fjords, and the side streams left hanging high on those valley walls now spill down cliffs hundreds of feet tall. Our directory lists 48 named falls in Alaska, ranking it 17th nationally, a number that reflects how few of the state's countless cascades have ever been named or mapped by road rather than how many actually exist.

The named falls cluster along the southern rim of the state. Southeast Alaska, including Juneau, Skagway, Sitka and the Prince of Wales-Hyder and Hoonah-Angoon areas, combines the Coast Mountains with heavy year-round precipitation from the Gulf of Alaska. Around Prince William Sound, the Chugach area receives similar maritime moisture against steep mountains. Farther west, a handful of falls sit on salmon rivers of the Alaska Peninsula and Bristol Bay region, where Brooks Falls is known far more for its bears than for its height. Many more falls in the Interior and Arctic remain unnamed or appear only on topographic maps.

Alaska Waterfall Regions

Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage

24 waterfalls · Juneau County, Juneau City and County, Skagway County, Hoonah-Angoon (CA) County, Prince of Wales-Hyder (CA) County, Ketchikan Gateway County, Sitka County, and Wrangell County

The Panhandle holds the largest share of Alaska's named falls. Temperate rainforest of spruce and hemlock covers steep slopes that drop directly to saltwater channels, and creeks fed by rain, snowfields and glaciers pour off them in long white ribbons. Juneau is the hub: Nugget Falls tumbles beside the Mendenhall Glacier at the end of a popular walk, while Ebner Falls sits above the Last Chance Basin just outside town, close to the city's old mining country. Skagway's Reid Falls is reached on a forest trail at the edge of town, and the Pitchfork Falls area above Goat Lake shows how far some of these streams drop. Many other falls here are seen only from boats and ferries.

Start with: Nugget Falls, Reid Falls, Ebner Falls, Suicide Falls, Hidden Falls

Prince William Sound and Southcentral

14 waterfalls · Chugach County, Copper River County, Kenai Peninsula County, Anchorage County, Matanuska-Susitna County, and Southeast Fairbanks (CA) County

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.

Start with: Bridal Veil Falls, Horsetail Falls, Thunder Bird Falls, Liberty Falls, Rudleston Falls

Southwest Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula

10 waterfalls · Lake and Peninsula County, Bethel County, Dillingham County, Dillingham (CA) County, Kodiak Island County, and Aleutians West (CA) County

West of Cook Inlet the landscape opens into lake country, volcanic peaks and tundra, and waterfalls become rarer and far more remote. The most famous is Brooks Falls, a low ledge on the outlet of Brooks Lake in Katmai, where brown bears gather to catch salmon leaping the drop. Other named falls in the Bethel and Dillingham areas sit on rivers draining the uplands behind Bristol Bay and the Kuskokwim delta, and Kodiak and the Aleutians add a few on rugged island coastlines. Almost none of these are reachable by road; floatplanes, boats and guided trips are the usual means of access.

Start with: Brooks Falls, Tikchik Falls, Fultons Falls, Petrof Falls, Golden Gate Falls

25 Featured Waterfalls in Alaska

Ordered by Google rating and review volume, then by documented USGS history.

  1. Nugget Falls

    Juneau, AK · Juneau City and County
    4.9 (198 reviews)

    Destination for scenic walks & hikes with views of a large waterfall & adjacent glacier.

    Rating
    4.9 (198 Google reviews)
    Address
    Juneau, AK 99801
    Nearest town
    Juneau, AK (9.6 mi)
    View details Directions

  2. Bridal Veil Falls

    Valdez, AK · Chugach County
    4.9 (49 reviews)

    Bridal Veil Falls is a waterfall in Chugach County, Alaska, about 16 miles east of Valdez. It appears on the USGS Valdez A-6 SE topographic map.

    Rating
    4.9 (49 Google reviews)
    Address
    Valdez, AK 99686
    Nearest town
    Valdez, AK (16 mi)
    USGS topo
    Valdez A-6 SE quad
    View details Directions

  3. Reid Falls

    Haines, AK · Skagway County
    4.8 (25 reviews)

    Day-hiking locale with a moderate forest trail leading to a cascading waterfall.

    Rating
    4.8 (25 Google reviews)
    Address
    Skagway, AK 99840
    Known for
    short walk, rocks, peaceful place, easy hike, trail
    Nearest town
    Haines, AK (18 mi)
    USGS topo
    Skagway B-1 NW quad
    View details Directions

  4. Brooks Falls

    Dillingham, AK · Lake and Peninsula County
    4.8 (21 reviews)

    Brooks Falls is a waterfall in Lake and Peninsula County, Alaska, about 101 miles east of Dillingham. USGS notes: Near the S shore of Iliuk Arm, Naknek Bay, on the outlet of Lake Brooks, in Katmai National Monument, NW on Mount Katmai, Alaska Peninsula, Aleutian Range.

    Rating
    4.8 (21 Google reviews)
    Address
    Lake and Peninsula County, AK (GPS 58.5550, -155.7915)
    Known for
    bear watching, bears, walking, salmon, watch
    Nearest town
    Dillingham, AK (101 mi)
    USGS topo
    Mount Katmai C-6 SE quad
    View details Directions

  5. Thunder Bird Falls

    Knik-Fairview, AK · Anchorage County
    4.6 (26 reviews)

    Thunder Bird Falls is a waterfall in Anchorage County, Alaska, about 9.4 miles southeast of Knik-Fairview. USGS notes: on Thunder Bird Creek, 0.4 mi. S of its junction with Eklutna River, 4.7 mi. NE of Birchwood and 24 mi. NE of Anchorage, Cooke Inlet Low.

    Rating
    4.6 (26 Google reviews)
    Address
    Anchorage, AK 99567
    Known for
    gorge view, scenery, restrooms, falls, hike
    Nearest town
    Knik-Fairview, AK (9.4 mi)
    USGS topo
    Anchorage B-7 NE quad
    View details Directions

  6. Liberty Falls

    Valdez, AK · Copper River County
    5.0 (18 reviews)

    Liberty Falls is a waterfall in Copper River County, Alaska, about 69 miles northeast of Valdez. USGS notes: on Liberty Creek 1.2 mi. S of its mouth, on Copper River, 66 mi. NE. of Valdez, Copper River Basin.

    Rating
    5.0 (18 Google reviews)
    Address
    Copper River County, AK 99566 (GPS 61.6207, -144.5481)
    Known for
    zombies, waterfall, camping
    Nearest town
    Valdez, AK (69 mi)
    USGS topo
    Valdez C-2 SE quad
    View details Directions

  7. Horsetail Falls

    Valdez, AK · Chugach County
    4.8 (36 reviews)

    Hiking trails through a lush spruce forest lead to this scenic waterfall with an observation area.

    Rating
    4.8 (36 Google reviews)
    Address
    Valdez, AK 99686
    Known for
    photo opportunities, easy access, location, veil, bridal
    Nearest town
    Valdez, AK (15 mi)
    USGS topo
    Valdez A-6 SE quad
    View details Directions

  8. Ebner Falls

    Juneau, AK · Juneau County
    4.8 (6 reviews)

    Ebner Falls is a waterfall in Juneau County, Alaska, about 1.7 miles northeast of Juneau. USGS notes: just above Last Chance Basin, 1 mi. W of Juneau, Coast Mts.

    Rating
    4.8 (6 Google reviews)
    Address
    Juneau, AK 99801
    Nearest town
    Juneau, AK (1.7 mi)
    USGS topo
    Juneau B-2 SE quad
    View details Directions

  9. Rudleston Falls

    Valdez, AK · Chugach County
    4.9 (9 reviews)

    Rudleston Falls is a waterfall in Chugach County, Alaska, about 16 miles east of Valdez. It appears on the USGS Valdez A-6 SE topographic map.

    Rating
    4.9 (9 Google reviews)
    Address
    Valdez, AK 99686
    Nearest town
    Valdez, AK (16 mi)
    USGS topo
    Valdez A-6 SE quad
    View details Directions

  10. Suicide Falls

    Juneau, AK · Juneau County
    4.7 (3 reviews)

    Suicide Falls is a waterfall in Juneau County, Alaska, about 3.0 miles southeast of Juneau. USGS notes: on Cross Bay Creek near its mouth on Gastineau Channel, 2.8 mi. SE of Juneau, Coast Mts.

    Rating
    4.7 (3 Google reviews)
    Address
    Juneau, AK 99801
    Nearest town
    Juneau, AK (3.0 mi)
    USGS topo
    Juneau B-2 SE quad
    View details Directions

  11. Hidden Falls

    Sitka, AK · Sitka County
    5.0 (1 reviews)

    Hidden Falls is a waterfall in Sitka County, Alaska, about 21 miles northeast of Sitka. USGS notes: between Hidden Falls Lake and Kasnyku Bay, on NE coast of Baranof I.,

    Rating
    5.0 (1 Google reviews)
    Address
    Sitka, AK 99835
    Nearest town
    Sitka, AK (21 mi)
    USGS topo
    Sitka A-3 NW quad
    View details Directions

  12. Pitchfork Falls

    Haines, AK · Skagway County
    5.0 (1 reviews)

    Waterfall with a drop of around 600m with a forked stream into Goat Lake far below.

    Rating
    5.0 (1 Google reviews)
    Address
    Skagway County, AK 99840 (GPS 59.5311, -135.1964)
    Nearest town
    Haines, AK (23 mi)
    USGS topo
    Skagway C-1 SW quad
    View details Directions

  13. Ohman Falls

    Cordova, AK · Chugach County
    5.0 (1 reviews)

    Ohman Falls is a waterfall in Chugach County, Alaska, about 6.7 miles northeast of Cordova. USGS notes: in Power Creek, 7 mi. NE of Cordova, Chugach Mts.

    Rating
    5.0 (1 Google reviews)
    Address
    Cordova, AK 99574
    Nearest town
    Cordova, AK (6.7 mi)
    USGS topo
    Cordova C-5 SE quad
    View details Directions

  14. The Falls

    Sitka, AK · Hoonah-Angoon (CA) County
    5.0 (1 reviews)

    The Falls is a waterfall in Hoonah-Angoon (CA) County, Alaska, about 50 miles northeast of Sitka. USGS notes: between Salt Lake and Mitchell Bay, 9.3 mi. NE of Angoon, Alex. Arch.

    Rating
    5.0 (1 Google reviews)
    Address
    Hoonah-Angoon (CA) County, AK 99820 (GPS 57.5578, -134.3542)
    Nearest town
    Sitka, AK (50 mi)
    USGS topo
    Sitka C-2 SE quad
    View details Directions

  15. Tikchik Falls

    Dillingham, AK · Dillingham County
    5.0 (1 reviews)

    Tikchik Falls is a waterfall in Dillingham County, Alaska, about 61 miles north of Dillingham. USGS notes: on Nuyakuk River, 3 mi. E of Tikchik Lake and 63 mi. NE of Dillingham, Kilbuck-Kuskokwim Mts.

    Rating
    5.0 (1 Google reviews)
    Address
    Dillingham County, AK 99576 (GPS 59.9115, -158.1184)
    Nearest town
    Dillingham, AK (61 mi)
    USGS topo
    Dillingham D-6 NW quad
    View details Directions

  16. Fultons Falls

    Kodiak Station, AK · Kodiak Island County

    Fultons Falls is a waterfall in Kodiak Island County, Alaska, about 91 miles west of Kodiak Station. USGS notes: in Barrier Range, on Alaska Peninsula, in Katmai National Monument, 8 mi. S of Mount Katmai, Aleutian Range

    Address
    Kodiak Island County, AK (GPS 58.1417, -154.9903)
    Nearest town
    Kodiak Station, AK (91 mi)
    USGS topo
    Mount Katmai A-3 NW quad
    View details Directions

  17. Grindstone Falls

    Juneau, AK · Juneau County

    Grindstone Falls is a waterfall in Juneau County, Alaska, about 8.5 miles southeast of Juneau. USGS notes: on Grindstone Creek, 11 mi. SE of Juneau, Coast Mts.

    Address
    Juneau, AK 99801
    Nearest town
    Juneau, AK (8.5 mi)
    USGS topo
    Juneau A-1 NW quad
    View details Directions

  18. Petrof Falls

    Anchor Point, AK · Lake and Peninsula County

    Petrof Falls is a waterfall in Lake and Peninsula County, Alaska, about 108 miles west of Anchor Point. USGS notes: N of Iliamna Lake on Newhalen River, 4 mi. NW of Iliamna, Alaska Range

    Address
    Lake and Peninsula County, AK 99606 (GPS 59.8000, -154.9500)
    Nearest town
    Anchor Point, AK (108 mi)
    USGS topo
    Iliamna D-6 SE quad
    View details Directions

  19. Alaska Chief Falls

    Juneau, AK · Juneau County

    Alaska Chief Falls is a waterfall in Juneau County, Alaska, about 2.9 miles east of Juneau. USGS notes: on Icy Gulch, 2.5 mi. E of Juneau, Coast Mts. ESE from S end of Kodiak I. to S end of Dall I. in Alex. Arch.

    Address
    Juneau, AK 99801
    Nearest town
    Juneau, AK (2.9 mi)
    USGS topo
    Juneau B-2 SE quad
    View details Directions

  20. Beaver Falls

    Ketchikan, AK · Ketchikan Gateway County

    Beaver Falls is a waterfall in Ketchikan Gateway County, Alaska, about 5.6 miles northeast of Ketchikan. USGS notes: on Revillagigedo I., 5.3 mi. NE of Ketchikan, between Upper and Lower Silvis Lakes, in course of Beaver Falls Creek, Alex. Arch.

    Address
    Ketchikan Gateway County, AK 99901 (GPS 55.3817, -131.5228)
    Nearest town
    Ketchikan, AK (5.6 mi)
    USGS topo
    Ketchikan B-5 NW quad
    View details Directions

  21. Bridal Veil Falls

    Haines, AK · Skagway County

    Bridal Veil Falls is a waterfall in Skagway County, Alaska, about 25 miles north of Haines. USGS notes: In the lower course of Captain William Moore Creek, extends up and unnamed western tributary, 14.2 km (8.8 mi) NE of Skagway.

    Address
    Skagway County, AK (GPS 59.5694, -135.2083)
    Nearest town
    Haines, AK (25 mi)
    USGS topo
    Skagway C-1 SW quad
    View details Directions

  22. Cheshnina Falls

    Valdez, AK · Copper River County

    Cheshnina Falls is a waterfall in Copper River County, Alaska, about 89 miles northeast of Valdez. USGS notes: at terminus of Cheshnina Glacier, at head of Cheshnina River, 86 mi. NE of Valdez, Wrangell Mts.

    Address
    Copper River County, AK 99566 (GPS 61.8578, -144.1177)
    Nearest town
    Valdez, AK (89 mi)
    USGS topo
    Valdez D-1 SE quad
    View details Directions

  23. Chitistone Falls

    Tok, AK · Copper River County

    Chitistone Falls is a waterfall in Copper River County, Alaska, about 126 miles south of Tok. USGS notes: on Chitistone River, at head of Chitistone Gorge, 26 mi. NE of McCarthy, Wrangell Mts.

    Address
    Copper River County, AK (GPS 61.5472, -142.1747)
    Nearest town
    Tok, AK (126 mi)
    USGS topo
    McCarthy C-4 SE quad
    View details Directions

  24. Cynthia Falls

    Anchor Point, AK · Kenai Peninsula County

    Cynthia Falls is a waterfall in Kenai Peninsula County, Alaska, about 48 miles west of Anchor Point. USGS notes: on Iniskin Peninsula, in course of Hardy Creek, 2.8 mi. SW of mouth of Fitz Creek at Chinitna Bay, Aleutian Range

    Address
    Kenai Peninsula County, AK (GPS 59.7861, -153.2086)
    Nearest town
    Anchor Point, AK (48 mi)
    USGS topo
    Iliamna D-1 SW quad
    View details Directions

  25. Golden Gate Falls

    Bethel, AK · Bethel County

    Golden Gate Falls is a waterfall in Bethel County, Alaska, about 57 miles east of Bethel. USGS notes: 12 mi. SE of Spein Mtn., on Kisaralik River, 58 mi. SE of Bethel, Kilbuck-Kuskokwim Mts.

    Address
    Bethel County, AK (GPS 60.5004, -160.1735)
    Nearest town
    Bethel, AK (57 mi)
    USGS topo
    Bethel C-4 SE quad
    View details Directions

Highest Rated in Alaska

  1. Nugget Falls 4.9 from 198 reviews · Juneau
  2. Bridal Veil Falls 4.9 from 49 reviews · Valdez
  3. Horsetail Falls 4.8 from 36 reviews · Valdez
  4. Reid Falls 4.8 from 25 reviews · Haines
  5. Thunder Bird Falls 4.6 from 26 reviews · Knik-Fairview

Waterfalls with at least 25 Google reviews.

What Visitors Mention

  • Reviews of 2 Alaska waterfalls mention easy access, including Reid Falls and Horsetail Falls.

Alaska Waterfalls by the Compass

The farthest-apart named falls in Alaska are about 1888 miles apart.

Names and History

The most reused names are Bridal Veil Falls (2) and The Falls (2), so check the county and town before you set out.

5 waterfalls have alternate historical names on record, such as Brooks Falls (also Salmon Falls) and Ebner Falls (also Big Falls).

From the USGS record for Reid Falls: "Local name obtained by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) field personnel and published on Federal maps since 1950."

Best Time to See Waterfalls in Alaska

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.

Planning a Waterfall Trip in Alaska

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.

More: waterfall safety · packing list

Find Waterfalls Near a Alaska Town

Waterfalls by County

CountyWaterfallsShareMost visited
Chugach613%Bridal Veil Falls
Juneau613%Ebner Falls
Prince of Wales-Hyder (CA)510%Nutkwa Falls
Hoonah-Angoon (CA)48%The Falls
Bethel36%Golden Gate Falls
Copper River36%Liberty Falls
Lake and Peninsula36%Brooks Falls
Skagway36%Reid Falls
Kenai Peninsula24%Cynthia Falls
Ketchikan Gateway24%Beaver Falls
Sitka24%Hidden Falls
Aleutians West (CA)12%White Falls
Anchorage12%Thunder Bird Falls
Dillingham12%Tikchik Falls
Dillingham (CA)12%Kolevokharit Koygut Falls
Juneau City and12%Nugget Falls
Kodiak Island12%Fultons Falls
Matanuska-Susitna12%Rotary Falls
Southeast Fairbanks (CA)12%The Falls
Wrangell12%Rainbow Falls

All Alaska Waterfalls A to Z

Alaska Waterfalls: FAQs

How many waterfalls are in Alaska?

Our directory lists 48 waterfalls in Alaska (46 officially named in the USGS Geographic Names Information System and 2 added from Google Maps listings), 17th among the 50 jurisdictions in our directory and 1.8% of the national total. 35% of them are in just three counties: Chugach, Juneau, and Prince of Wales-Hyder (CA).

What is the most visited waterfall in Alaska?

By Google review count, Nugget Falls in Juneau City and County leads with 198 reviews and a 4.9 rating. Bridal Veil Falls is next.

Which Alaska waterfall is easiest to visit?

Nugget Falls near the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau is the most reviewed fall in our directory and is reached by a well-used walk from the visitor area. In Southcentral, the roadside falls of Keystone Canyon near Valdez and Thunder Bird Falls near Anchorage are also accessible without a plane or boat.

Can Brooks Falls be reached by road?

No. Brooks Falls is in Katmai on the Alaska Peninsula, and visitors typically arrive by floatplane. Bear viewing there is managed by the National Park Service, so it is worth checking the park's current guidance before planning a trip.

Which Alaska town has the most waterfalls nearby?

Juneau has 6 named waterfalls within 30 miles, the most of any town in our Alaska directory.