Waterfall Wonders

There’s just
something about waterfalls that make them hard to resist. They’re absolutely
mesmerizing and they create such great photo ops. We’re lucky to have so many
of these natural wonders located across the U.S. Here are a few that are
definitely worth a visit:

Niagara Falls | New York 

We would be remiss if we didn’t start with the granddaddy of them
all, Niagara Falls.
The name actually covers three falls along the border between the U.S. and
Ontario, Canada. The largest is Horseshoe Falls, followed by American Falls
and Bridal Veil Falls. Not only are the falls a major tourist attraction –
they are a huge source of hydroelectric power for the region. Admittance to
Niagara Falls State Park is free to enjoy the views, hikes and picnic areas
and there is an observation tower that offers unobstructed views of the
falls. There are also optional activities to choose from such as boat tours,
an aquarium and theater. Tickets for those activities can be purchased
separately or as part of the park’s Discover Pass.

Arethusa Falls | New
Hampshire

Located in Crawford Notch State Park in northern New Hampshire,
Arethusa Falls takes its name from Greek mythology. Arethusa was a nymph
whose name means “the waterer.” That’s pretty appropriate since these
impressive falls tumble 140 feet down a granite cliff. The easiest way to
reach the falls is by hiking a loop trail (three miles out and back) that has
been described as moderately rugged.

Multnomah Falls |
Oregon 

Located 30 minutes from Portland on the magnificent Columbia River
Gorge, Multnomah
Falls delivers the awe-inspiring sight of a 611-foot
cascade of icy water. The site is also steeped in Native American lore with a
story that involves the beautiful daughter of the chief of the Multnomah
tribe. A five-minute trail leads to the base of the falls from the parking
area off of I-84, or, for a closer (and more exhilarating) view, take the
paved trail up to Benson Bridge. The bridge is named after Simon Benson, a
prominent Portland businessman who owned the site in the early 1900s before
donating the falls to the City of Portland, which later transferred ownership
to the forest service.

Cumberland Falls | Kentucky 

Known as the “Niagara of the South,” these dramatic
falls feature a 125-foot wide curtain of water. The falls
are located in Cumberland Falls State Resort Park in southern Kentucky and
are home to a natural phenomenon not found anywhere else in the Western
Hemisphere: a colorful “moonbow” can be seen on the nights of a full moon as
well as on several nights before and after. The park publishes a schedule of
the dates and times of upcoming moonbows on its website.

Feather Falls | California 

Located near the city of Oroville in the Plumas National Forest,
the 640-foot Feather Falls can be seen from the middle arm of Lake Oroville,
but the best views can be found on the Feather Falls Scenic Trail. This
involves a moderate, nine-mile hike to the falls and back on the upper trail
loop, or a seven-mile loop out and back on the more strenuous lower trail.
March, May and June are considered to be the best times to hike to the falls
since the wildflowers are in bloom, temperatures are cooler and the falls’
water flow is at the highest. Experts advise allowing a minimum of four to
five hours to make the hike and to take plenty of water and a first aid kit
since this is a remote area.

Photos collected from
Pixabay.com and Pexels.com