State guide

Waterfalls in Nebraska

8 waterfalls across 2 counties, ranked 37th nationally.

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

Photo of Smith Falls in Cherry County, Nebraska
Pictured: Smith Falls, NE

Towns

Where Nebraska's Waterfalls Are

Few people picture waterfalls in Nebraska, and statewide the numbers back that up: our directory lists 8 named falls, ranking the state 37th. Yet nearly all of them cluster in one remarkable place, the Niobrara River valley in Cherry County near Valentine, which holds 7 of the 8. The reason is groundwater. North-central Nebraska is dominated by the Sandhills, a vast grass-covered dune field that soaks up rain and snowmelt like a sponge and feeds the enormous High Plains aquifer below. That stored water seeps out wherever a river cuts deep enough to expose it.

The Niobrara has done exactly that, carving a canyon through layers of soft sandstone and siltstone on its way east across the state. Along the canyon walls, springs emerge and run down short side drainages, spilling over sandstone ledges into the river. Because they are spring-fed, these falls are steadier than rain-fed falls in many states, running through dry spells and even into winter. The canyon is also a biological crossroads, where eastern deciduous forest, northern boreal species such as paper birch, and western ponderosa pine overlap in shaded side canyons. Smith Falls, the state's highest waterfall, lies in this corridor, along with Fort Falls and several smaller drops.

Nebraska Waterfall Regions

Niobrara River Valley

8 waterfalls · Cherry County and Holt County

East of Valentine, the Niobrara flows through a forested canyon designated as a National Scenic River, and spring-fed falls spill from the canyon walls. Smith Falls, at a state park of the same name, is reached by crossing a footbridge over the river and following a gentle trail and steps to the base of the falls, which USGS records as Nebraska's highest. Fort Falls is in Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, reached by a short wooded path. Snake River Falls, on a Niobrara tributary southwest of Valentine, is a broad drop over a rock ledge. Holt County, farther east along the river, has one additional listed fall, Rock Falls.

Start with: Smith Falls, Snake River Falls, Fort Falls, Berry Falls, Big Falls

All 8 Waterfalls in Nebraska

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

  1. Smith Falls

    Valentine, NE · Cherry County
    4.8 (189 reviews)

    Wooden steps lead down to the shallow pool of this dramatic cascade, reached via a gentle trail.

    Rating
    4.8 (189 Google reviews)
    Address
    Valentine Precinct, NE 69221
    Known for
    falls access, river floating, tallest waterfall, handicap accessible, nature hike
    Nearest town
    Valentine, NE (12 mi)
    USGS topo
    Sparks quad
    View details Directions

  2. Fort Falls

    Valentine, NE · Cherry County
    4.7 (36 reviews)

    45-ft.-high waterfall in Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, reached by a short wooded path.

    Rating
    4.7 (36 Google reviews)
    Address
    Valentine Precinct, NE 69221
    Known for
    walk to the falls, 1 mile trail, peaceful walk, stairs, easy hike
    Nearest town
    Valentine, NE (4.7 mi)
    USGS topo
    Cornell Dam quad
    View details Directions

  3. Snake River Falls

    Valentine, NE · Cherry County
    3.3 (48 reviews)

    Snake River Falls is a waterfall in Cherry County, Nebraska, about 21 miles southwest of Valentine. It appears on the USGS Snake River Falls topographic map.

    Rating
    3.3 (48 Google reviews)
    Address
    Valentine Precinct, NE 69201
    Nearest town
    Valentine, NE (21 mi)
    USGS topo
    Snake River Falls quad
    View details Directions

  4. Berry Falls

    Valentine, NE · Cherry County
    4.3 (7 reviews)

    Berry Falls is a waterfall in Cherry County, Nebraska, about 9.8 miles east of Valentine. Named for Susan J.

    Rating
    4.3 (7 Google reviews)
    Address
    Valentine Precinct, NE 69201
    Nearest town
    Valentine, NE (9.8 mi)
    USGS topo
    Sparks quad
    View details Directions

  5. Big Falls

    Mullen, NE · Cherry County
    4.3 (3 reviews)

    Big Falls is a waterfall in Cherry County, Nebraska, about 28 miles north of Mullen. It appears on the USGS Big Falls topographic map.

    Rating
    4.3 (3 Google reviews)
    Address
    Wells Precinct, NE 69152
    Nearest town
    Mullen, NE (28 mi)
    USGS topo
    Big Falls quad
    View details Directions

  6. Tyler Falls

    Valentine, NE · Cherry County
    5.0 (2 reviews)

    Tyler Falls is a waterfall in Cherry County, Nebraska, about 6.7 miles east of Valentine. It appears on the USGS Cornell Dam topographic map.

    Rating
    5.0 (2 Google reviews)
    Address
    Valentine Precinct, NE 69221
    Nearest town
    Valentine, NE (6.7 mi)
    USGS topo
    Cornell Dam quad
    View details Directions

  7. Rock Falls

    Atkinson, NE · Holt County
    3.0 (2 reviews)

    Rock Falls is a waterfall in Holt County, Nebraska, about 12 miles northeast of Atkinson. It appears on the USGS Atkinson NE topographic map.

    Rating
    3.0 (2 Google reviews)
    Address
    Belle Township, NE 68763
    Nearest town
    Atkinson, NE (12 mi)
    USGS topo
    Atkinson NE quad
    View details Directions

  8. Horseshoe Falls

    Mullen, NE · Cherry County

    Horseshoe Falls is a waterfall in Cherry County, Nebraska, about 27 miles north of Mullen. It appears on the USGS Big Falls topographic map.

    Address
    Wells Precinct, NE 69152
    Nearest town
    Mullen, NE (27 mi)
    USGS topo
    Big Falls quad
    View details Directions

Highest Rated in Nebraska

  1. Smith Falls 4.8 from 189 reviews · Valentine
  2. Fort Falls 4.7 from 36 reviews · Valentine
  3. Snake River Falls 3.3 from 48 reviews · Valentine

Waterfalls with at least 25 Google reviews.

What Visitors Mention

  • Reviews of 2 Nebraska waterfalls mention easy access, including Smith Falls and Fort Falls.

Nebraska Waterfalls by the Compass

The farthest-apart named falls in Nebraska are about 125 miles apart.

Names and History

From the USGS record for Berry Falls: "Named for Susan J. Berry, who homesteaded in the valley in the 1870's."

Best Time to See Waterfalls in Nebraska

The Niobrara's spring-fed falls flow year-round, so timing a visit is less about water levels than about weather and crowds. Late May through early September is the main season, when canoe, kayak and tube outfitters in Valentine operate and many visitors float the river, often stopping at waterfalls along the way. Summer weekends are busy on the water, and July can be hot with strong afternoon thunderstorms on the open plains. Late spring brings fresh green growth in the canyon and fewer people. Early fall is quieter, with pleasant temperatures and some color in the hardwoods and birches. Winter is cold and windy; the falls can form striking ice, but services in the area are limited and rural roads may drift with snow.

Planning a Waterfall Trip in Nebraska

Most of the Niobrara's falls are on a patchwork of public and private land. Smith Falls is managed by Nebraska Game and Parks as a state park with camping and a footbridge across the river. Fort Falls lies within Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Niobrara National Scenic River corridor is overseen by the National Park Service in partnership with local landowners. Many river-access points and smaller falls sit on private ranch land, so respect posted property. Floating the river is a popular way to reach several falls. Hazards include swift current and submerged snags, sunburn and heat on the open water, ticks and poison ivy in wooded canyons, and slick sandstone near the falls.

More: waterfall safety · packing list

Find Waterfalls Near a Nebraska Town

Waterfalls by County

CountyWaterfallsShareMost visited
Cherry788%Smith Falls
Holt113%Rock Falls

All Nebraska Waterfalls A to Z

Nebraska Waterfalls: FAQs

How many waterfalls are in Nebraska?

Our directory lists 8 waterfalls in Nebraska, all officially named in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, 37th among the 50 jurisdictions in our directory and 0.3% of the national total.

What is the most visited waterfall in Nebraska?

By Google review count, Smith Falls in Cherry County leads with 189 reviews and a 4.8 rating. Snake River Falls is next.

What is the highest waterfall in Nebraska?

Smith Falls in Cherry County is the highest, with USGS noting a vertical drop of 63 feet. It is the centerpiece of Smith Falls State Park on the Niobrara River.

Why do Nebraska's waterfalls flow all year?

They are fed by groundwater from the Sandhills and the aquifer beneath them, which seeps out of the Niobrara canyon walls. This makes them far less dependent on recent rainfall than most falls.

Which Nebraska town has the most waterfalls nearby?

Valentine has 5 named waterfalls within 30 miles, the most of any town in our Nebraska directory.