Waterfalls are such gems. There’s nothing better than getting out into nature, taking an invigorating hike and at the end seeing some gorgeous cascades. All around the country you can discover some waterfalls which are accessed by a short or long hike through amazing scenery. ReserveAmerica has a number of locations that display these natural beauties. Below is a list of a few that you will want to take the opportunity to visit.
Latourell Falls
Where to Camp: Guy W. Talbot State Park, Oregon
Along the Columbia River Gorge you will find Latourell Falls, a beautiful waterfall that is among the best known of all the waterfalls in the gorge. The falls is situated in Guy W. Talbot State Park and has a nice 2.1-mile loop trail to go view the upper falls. Latourell Falls is unique in that it cascades straight down 224 feet from the basalt cliff above.
Guy W. Talbot State Park offers day use reservations so people can picnic and play among the cedars and firs. Enjoy viewing and walking under the historic bridge that was built in 1914 as you hike to the Lower Latourell Falls.
DeSoto Falls
Where to Camp: Smithgall Woods, Georgia
In the Chattahoochee National Forest there are two beautiful waterfalls, the Upper and Lower DeSoto Falls. A beautiful two-mile out-and-back hike through a southern forest with a tumbling creek and lovely rhododendron gets you to these fascinating waterfalls. They were named after the explorer Hernando de Soto, who in the middle of the 1500s led an expedition through what is now Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. It is said that a piece of his armor was found here.
Close by camping will be a wonderful home base for your outing. Smithgall Woods provides outdoor recreation for every age, so when you aren’t enjoying the waterfalls, you can explore the five miles of trails through the hardwood forest. You have the opportunity to see another waterfall as well. At the end of a one-mile trail within the park is the Dukes Creek Falls. You will probably see some wildlife, so it is a good idea to take along your camera.
Cumberland Falls
Where to Camp: Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Kentucky
Cumberland Falls is the largest waterfall in Kentucky, falling 60 feet and forming a curtain 125 feet wide. It is often called the Niagara of the South as it seems like a miniature of the famous New York waterfall. Cumberland Falls is also known for the amazing “moonbow” (nocturnal rainbow) that shows in the moonlight. It’s only a one-mile out-and-back hike to the waterfalls and there is a longer trail connected where you can go for a nice 10.8-mile trek.
The camping at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park not only gives you the opportunity to take your time to see the waterfalls, but provides lots of other recreation options as well. Go canoeing, fishing or even bring your horses for horseback riding.
Hawk Falls
Where to Camp: Hickory Run State Park, Pennsylvania
Hawk Falls is 25 feet high, a lovely natural waterfall that is accessed by a .06-mile, medium-difficult forest trail within Hickory Run State Park. Stop at the lookout points as you go which provide you with great views of the falls. You’ll cross a large footbridge over a creek and move through tunnels of diverse flora.
Hickory Run State Park is the perfect place to camp while you enjoy all the outdoor recreation that is offered. Besides visiting the waterfalls, you can throw a line in the miles of trout streams or hike any of the 40 miles of trails. The western foothills of the Pocono Mountains have everything you need for the ultimate outdoor experience.
Recommended for you: Full Day Hiking in State Parks
Calf Creek Falls
Where to Camp: Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, Utah
The Utah desert holds many surprises, and Calf Creek Falls is one of them. The setting is a gorgeous green oasis, with the lower falls plunging 130 feet into a pool. You reach the falls by hiking up a 5.8-mile out-and-back trail. Be sure to stop and see the pictograph panels on the wall of the canyon, made in approximately 1200 AD.
Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is a short 32 minutes away and provides ideal camping for your waterfalls trip. Enjoy the amazing deposits of petrified wood and marvel at the petrified forest. You will see petrified dinosaur bones and fossils. In the Wide Hollow Reservoir you can go boating, fishing or swimming. It will be a camping trip to remember.
Taughannock Falls
Where to Camp: Taughannock Falls State Park, New York
Taughannock Falls cascades over rocky cliffs and falls 215 feet to the bottom. It is three stories taller than Niagara Falls. The trails to the falls offer wonderful views, both above the waterfall and below at the end of the trail in the Taughannock Gorge. It’s quite a thrill to witness the water tumbling down from such a height and realize that this water flow carved a 400-foot deep gorge through layers of shale, sandstone and limestone.
Taughannock Falls State Park is your home base for this vacation time, and you can do more than just visit the falls. You can find trails for hiking, boating, picnicking and wildlife viewing. Relax on the beach on Cayuga Lake. Rustic cabins lend the ideal ambiance to such a wilderness experience.
Check with your Local Government Organization
Many policies have been established to counter and control the coronavirus outbreak. State and local officials have been taking decisive action to stop the spread. The policies vary by state, sometimes to a great degree. When you book a reservation, make sure to review the park and state’s latest rules and regulations prior to your visit.
For COVID-19 updates, please visit our Impacted Park List and Reservation Guide for the latest information.