America's 15 Most Beautiful Waterfalls You Can Actually Swim In

The Lady of TLC may have a taken a strong posture against chasing waterfalls , but we say , to hell with that . We ’ll track whatever we please , thank you very much . In that intent of summertime freedom , we crisscrossed the country seeking out the fine waterfalls in all of God ’s land ( mean America , obviously ) . Not just pretty falls , beware you , but pretty waterfalls you could really SWIM IN . Be warn , however , the ban on gown rest firmly in effect .

McWay Falls

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park , CaliforniaHoly shit ! Is this what we think this is ? Yes , it is . It ’s a falls flow DIRECTLY INTO THE OCEAN . One of themost beautiful places in California , if not the world , this little - known 80 ft waterfall and beach located in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is n’t far from the route near Big Sur . It may not be the easiest to find , but that ’s part of what bring in it so coolheaded .

Palouse Falls

Palouse Falls State Park , WashingtonIf drop diving is your thing , you could do far uncollectible than plunging into the waters below the imposing , tough color fence the massive 200 ft Palouse Falls in Eastern Washington , part of the 105 - acre Palouse Falls State Park and the " prescribed waterfall " of Washington State . ( Yes , this is a real thing . ) dally around in its placid Ethel Waters and check out out some blue Heron in escape . Or dothis .

Alamere Falls

Point Reyes National Seashore , CaliforniaWaterfalls flowing directly into the sea ( or " tidefalls " ) are something we will never fatigue of . And neither will you , peculiarly after visiting this uncommon tidefall ( one of two in the area ) where your reward for boost the scenic 8.5 - knot Coast Trail is a cool dip in the Pacific . Does it get better than that ? Surely nah .

Little River Falls

Little River Canyon National Preserve , AlabamaFor a more approachable falls experience , manoeuvre to the " Grand Canyon of the East " that is the 12 - mile - retentive Little River Canyon in a still box of Northeast Alabama . The canyon is dot with scenic falls , the most noted of which is Little River Falls , a get to 45 foot falls atop Lookout Mountain that double as one of the more popular swimming holes in the Southeast . Do it .

Havasu Falls

Grand Canyon , ArizonaWith a 100 foot chute cascading down stunning cerise rock drop-off into a shimmer consortium of aquamarine water , the most picturesque fall you ’re ever to position eyes on amount at a heavy Leontyne Price . settle in a outside section of the Grand Canyon 1.5 miles outside the Havasupai Amerindic village of Supai , you ’ll require to either hire a chopper or hike 10 mile in the Arizona sun before savour in the rejuvenating reward of its pristine , year - circular 72 - grade water system . On the bright side , if you do n’t palpate like schlepping all your gear on the tramp to the evenfall , you could rent a pack mule . Seriously .

Pe’epe’e Falls

Wailuku River State Park , HawaiiOne Swedish mile from the popular Rainbow Falls on the Big Island near Hilo , the lesser - known Pe’epe’e Falls ( also known as " Boiling Pots " ) is a picture - pure section of the 18 - mile Wailuku River that can be calm and welcoming , or raging and tempestuous after a dense pelting . A fresh swim in the pools beneath the fall is only recommend on a unagitated day if you are a good swimmer , as potent current have been known to take the lives of fanatical tourists in the past times .

Cummins Falls

Cummins Falls State Park , TennesseeThis 75 ft waterfall cascading over granite staircases has made a pop swim hole for generation , but only in 2011 was it adopt as a public common . locate within the furrowed 211 - Akko Mungo Park along the Blackburn Fork State Scenic River , the falls themselves are accessible via a exorbitant one - Admiralty mile hike that can get a bit dodgy at times . But the payoff is well deserving it .

Diana’s Baths

White Mountain National Forest , New HampshireAn easy 0.6 - land mile hike is a relaxing prelude to enjoying this family - friendly natural pool environ by gentle waterfalls that drop 75 ft into its placid waters . Once the location of a sawmill operation in the 1800s , these days it ’s an idealistic spot for exploring the surrounding rocks or orifice up a volume for maximal chill time .

Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veils Park , UtahHere you ’ll find sweet mountain water menstruate from Cascade Mountain stream down 607 ft into a shallow pool through a remarkable double cascade . Bridal Veil Falls number to a local treasure near Provo that you could snap from observation deck and , yes , float in . And the setting may look inviting , but do n’t forget : run snowpack consort awful chilly , supporter .

Mooney Falls

Grand Canyon , ArizonaLike Havasu Falls , the otherworldly Mooney Falls is locate in the Grand Canyon but not in Grand Canyon National Park , with land administer by the Havasupai Indian Reservation . And like Havasu Falls , it is one of the most beautiful waterfall you will ever lay eyes on . Also like Havasu Falls , it ai n’t easy to get to . While the strenuous trek creep through tunnels and climbing down a absolute rock - face is n’t as mortal - crushing as the 10 - nautical mile slog to Havasu , it ai n’t for beginners either .

Falling Water Falls

Ozark National Forest , ArkansasThis 10 ft waterfall might not be the most imposing , but it ’s definitely one of the country ’s most beautiful . The best part ? You do n’t even have to get out of your auto to see it . If you desire to wade in its placid blue water , however , you will have to put the Cheetos down a minute and waddle over . While you ’re at it , check out a sample of other optic - pleasing falls in the nearby Richland Creek Wilderness Area .

Brandywine Falls

Cuyahoga Valley National Park , OhioWhen mass think of Northeastern Ohio , falls are typically not the first thing that spring to beware . And while this 65ft - tall waterfall may not be as beloved as LeBron , it remain a popular swim hole and main attraction of the 16 - twelvemonth - old Cuyahoga Valley National Park . Take it all in by exploring beyond the falls via the 1.5 - mile Brandywine Gorge Trail .

Sawmill Falls

Opal Creek Wilderness Area , OregonHike a recollective but easy four - mile trail through 500 - yr - older trees and riverbank wilderness to wander up amid the 30 ft Sawmill Falls , which deposits your sweaty physical structure into a chilly deep - immature syndicate . The solitude of nature makes combat screaming youngster for a towel at your local pool seem like an exercise in sheer folly . Which , of trend , it is .

Hooker Falls

DuPont State Recreational Forest , North CarolinaWant to ride a kayak over a waterfall ? need to take your dog in with you for a drop ? Pretty much anything goes at this popular North Carolina waterfall which , while just 12 ft gamey , is wide than most falls , resulting in a bombastic river basin for a variety of water fun . Bring an inflatable passel , if that ’s your affair . Which , why would n’t it be ?

Jump Creek Falls

Near Marsing , IdahoPerhaps the commonwealth ’s best payoff after an easy fourth part - mi hike , the steep 60 ft Jump Creek Falls located an hr west of Boise , near the Oregon border , is a bright agency to chill off on a live day . Meander through dogwood and birch rod Tree then either recoil off your shoe and wade into the water or scale the rocks and practise your drop-off - jumping science . Life is good , is n’t it ?

bless up herefor our day-by-day Thrillist e-mail , and get your fix of the best in food / swallow / sport .

lake havasu