One of the best parts about an afternoon drive is when you unexpectedly make a turn and there is a wonderful waterfall there to greet you. If you are planning on going hiking for the day, why not plan on going somewhere that has an amazing waterfall? There is nothing better than hearing the water hit the rocks below, see the splash come off as the water rains down, and seeing the smiles that light up faces as people watch the waterfall in sheer wonderment. Here are the top five waterfalls that you will find on the west coast.
Multnomah Falls, outside Portland, Oregon
Multnomah Falls is 627 feet tall and just a short 30-minute drive from Portland and is worth spending a few hours there. You can hike up to the top of the falls and it is a strenuous hike, make sure to bring water and enjoy the hike up through some beautiful trees and rock formations. If you are not a hiker, there is a platform at the bottom of the waterfall that allows you to look up and see how massive this waterfall truly is. Then there is a second platform that is about 15-20 minutes up the path where you can look up and see a different perspective of the waterfall. Just a little further up is a beautiful bridge that allows you to be front and center with this waterfall.
Glacier National Park, Kalispell, Montana
When the winter snow melts and Glacier National Park opens up the Going-to-the-Sun road it open up the world to seeing 30-40 waterfalls during a 1.5 hour drive. It is so breathtaking in its simple beauty. There is even one waterfall that you can drive underneath and have one awesomely inspiring experience. Around every turn on this scenic drive are waterfalls that fall for over a quarter of a mile or ones that are small and were just created that morning. The land changes daily and the waterfalls in GNP are beyond your wildest imagination.
Yosemite Falls, Yosemite, California
At 2500 feet, Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America. One of the best parts of going to see Yosemite Falls is that there is a rainbow that reaches across the waterfall in the spring. There are great hiking trails to see the falls close up and don’t forget your camera as you’ll want pictures of your own to remember one of the most visited falls in the world.
Alamere Falls, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
This waterfall is pretty special because you can walk right up to the rushing water right from the beach. It is only 40-feet, but pretty cool to see the rushing water right at your feet as your toes sink into the sand.
Snoqualmie Falls, Washington
This waterfall is east of Seattle and is one of the prettiest waterfalls in the region and is good size at 270 feet. I love that there are lights on the waterfall at night making it very romantic and a wonderful spot to enjoy a touch of nature.
There are waterfalls all over the world and are one of the greatest gifts on Earth. These five waterfalls on the west coast are perfect places to check out of the hustle and bustle of life and reconnect with nature.
Have you visited a waterfall while traveling? Where was it located?
Lady Lilith says
Nice. We should go travel though the West Coast this summer.
sharon martin says
Waterfalls are one of my favourite things apart from rainbows, so obviously loving the sound of Yosemite Falls x
Ellen Christian says
I love waterfalls. They are so pretty. We have one right up the road from us.
Rebecca Swenor says
Thanks for sharing the beauty of the falls. We have a little water fall called Black River Falls and we used to camp next to it years ago.