Waterfall Hikes in the USA: Our Top 13

1.Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Half-Day Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,108 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $73Our pick

Leave Portland by air-conditioned minivan for a four-hour Columbia River Gorge outing with guides such as Ana, Carrie, James, and Edwin. You’ll visit Multnomah Falls, walk to Bridal Veil Falls, see Latourell Falls, and stop at gorge viewpoints. Expect short walks, one optional hike up to two miles, changing stops, and weather-ready conditions.

“Ana was the best, very informative and friendly. We went to see multiple waterfalls and great views and she explained the history of Oregon during the trip.”

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2.Small Group Waterfall and Rainforest Hiking Adventure on Maui

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,417 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $187

This five-hour East Maui outing follows the Hana Highway to rainforest trails near Twin Falls. A local guide such as Des, Michael, Joel, or Abby leads you across roots, rocks, streams, and slippery banks to several waterfalls and swimming holes. Lunch, snacks, transport from Kahului, plant knowledge, and optional cliff jumps are included.

“Our tour guide Michael was amazing. Very knowledgeable in the Hawaiian culture, plants and animals around the island. The hike itself is easy and doable. The terrain can be a little rocky so you just need to watch your step. A good pair of tennis shoes you can wear in the water is a must. Mike took us to at least four different swimming holes and waterfalls. Lunch was also provided. It was a perfect Maui excursion. If you are a little unsteady or unsure about the hike, I recommend bringing walking poles with you.”

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3.Secret Falls Kayak and Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,403 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $125

Paddle a double kayak about four miles on the Wailua River, then hike roughly two miles through muddy rainforest trails to Uluwehi Falls. Guides such as Cory, Kman, Kai, and Mana add local stories about plants, history, and island life. Bring water, snacks, and secure shoes that can get wet.

“We had a beautiful day kayaking but the hiking part was extremely muddy. We made it without falling and swam underneath the waterfall at the end. We were glad we did it even tho it was muddy”

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4.Kauai Adventure: Kayak & Hike to Secret Falls with Expert Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,387 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $140

Paddle about four miles on Kauai’s Wailua River, then hike roughly two miles over muddy, rocky ground to 100-foot Uluwehi Falls. Guides such as Zach, Brian, and Makayla provide instruction, local stories, safety help, and hiking sticks. Bring water and secure shoes that can get wet.

“Zach was an outstanding guide! Very knowledgeable of both flora and fauna. Very gracious with encouragement. Loved the bird he calls during the hike. It was special.”

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5.Secret Falls Kayak & Hike Guided Adventure on the Wailua River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,212 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $145

Paddle two miles up Kauai’s Wailua River, hear stories of ancient Hawaiian life, then hike through rainforest and stream crossings to Uluwehi Falls. Guides such as Levi, Jonathan, and Nathaniel add local history, safety help, and, sometimes, ukulele music. Expect wet shoes, mud, and a moderate six-hour outing.

“Fun excursion that gives you a taste of nature! We enjoyed our experience- glad we had a guide to help us navigate the rivers and hike. The river was gorgeous. There are several stream crossings (water was crisp and cold, a treat for the warm day). The hike portion was half wooden planks and half trail. You do have to scramble over some rocks so recommend closed toe water shoes. We enjoyed talking to our guide!”

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6.Wailua River Kayak and Sacred Falls Guided Hike with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 783 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $155

Pair a gentle tandem kayak trip on Kauai’s Wailua River with a guided rainforest hike to Sacred Falls. Guides such as Annie, Harrison, Lindsey, Anya, and Jay lead the way, provide walking sticks and safety gear, and share natural and cultural details. Expect mud, rocks, shallow water, a picnic lunch, and a swim at the falls.

“The walking stick is absolutely amazing don’t turn it down life saver and I’m not a big girl or older either just helped get through everything the water has slippery rocks and that’s where I used it most. Lunch was good too deli made Sammie my fav. Our guide Lindsey was super cool too loves talking with her!!!!!”

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7.Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls Hiking Tour from Asheville

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 593 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $112

Join Tony from Tumblestone Tours for a 5.5-hour Asheville outing along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah Forest, and DuPont State Recreational Forest. You’ll ride in a comfortable van, walk about three miles on easy to moderate trails, visit three waterfalls, and receive hotel pickup, water, snacks, and local stories along the way.

“Beautiful experience and our guide was so accommodating. It was a wonderful way to spend the day in nature.”

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8.Guided forest hike to Seattle waterfalls incl. Snoqualmie Falls

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 589 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $79

Leave central Seattle at 9 a.m. for a half-day outing with a roughly 3-mile moderate hike through Olallie State Park, Twin Falls and Upper Falls, 270-foot Snoqualmie Falls, North Bend, Snoqualmie, and Borst Lake. Guides such as John, Susan, Brie, Rachel, and Suzanne have led the trip. Expect forest roots, rocks, inclines, snacks, and an air-conditioned van.

“Our guide Susan was great and the hikes were amazing! Glad we did this tour. Highly recommend this trip.”

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9.Waterfall & Rainforest Hiking Adventure with Hotel Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 518 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $229

Explore East Maui’s rainforest on a guided 2.5-mile hike with at least three waterfalls, a swimming pool, optional 10 to 15-foot rock jumps, lunch, and snacks. Guides such as Pasco, Sara, Gail, Des, and P.T. are known for sharing local plant, history, and geology knowledge. Hotel pickup is available from major resort areas.

“We had such a Great time on this hike, with our Amazing guide, Sara! She was very informative and helpful. Beautiful waterfalls and rainforest! I Would recommend this to anyone!!”

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10.Road To Hana: Maui Waterfall Hiking Tour in Private Jeep

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 343 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $299

Leave your Maui resort or vacation rental at 7 a.m. for an eight-hour private Jeep tour along the Road to Hana. Guide Alec shapes the day around your interests, taking you to waterfalls, swimming holes, a bamboo forest, black sand beaches, sea turtles, local food stops, and quiet viewpoints. Expect hiking, wet feet, photos, and a flexible route that may stop before Hana.

“Alec is laid back yet adventurous which is a perfect match for our family! Countless friends who drove themselves on the Road to Hana said it was not worth the trek. Alec explained that most people are in such a rush to get to Hana that they miss all of the beautiful sites along the way which is what happened in these cases. While we only made it 3/4 of the way to Hana, we saw everything on our list. Alec took care of every detail - water, snacks, lunch, photos, etc - allowing us to truly enjoy every minute of our day. Even returning us to our hotel almost…”

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11.Visit Snoqualmie and Hike to Twin Falls (Transportation included)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 330 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $76

Meet guide Jonny at Zeitgeist Coffee in Seattle for a half-day trip to Snoqualmie Falls and Olallie State Park. See the 268-foot waterfall made famous by Twin Peaks, then hike through Cascade rainforest to Twin Falls. Transport, guiding, and park admission are included. Expect a moderate hike with hills, mud, and roughly 2.4 to 3 miles on foot.

“This is a great intermediate hike. The lower view of the falls was absolutely gorgeous, the upper view would have been, had the fog not been so dense. But even with the fog, it was still interesting visually. The hike itself was strenuous, though not impossible, but be ready for uphill climbs and possibly some mud (we went in December). The river is beautiful and the trees are just majestic. Jonny was the perfect guide, keeping track of us yet letting us go at our own paces (I stopped to take a LOT of pictures). He is very knowledgeable about the area, and is just an interesting person all around.…”

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12.Self guided Hike Trail to Nature Walk & Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 283 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $79

Join Karma Tour Hawaii for a guided Manoa Falls hike from select Waikiki hotels. Expect a muddy rainforest trail, local plant stories, a 150-foot waterfall, and a short Puʻu ʻUalakaʻi State Park lookout stop. Guides such as Robert, Arlaine, and Hema are known for keeping the pace friendly and sharing useful island history.

“Beautiful. Robert our tour guide was very good at explaining the diferente types of plants, and animals.”

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13.Rainforest Waterfalls Guided Hike with Picnic Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 274 reviews · 5 hours · from $187

Follow two streams through East Maui’s rainforest with a naturalist guide, passing three to five waterfalls and pools suited to swimming or cliff jumps. Guides such as Gale, Pasco, Jacob, and Des share plant lore and Hawaiian culture, while lunch, snacks, water, a backpack, and hotel pickup options keep the five-hour outing practical.

“We had an awesome guide. My boys (19, 20 & 21) really enjoyed this hike. It was not too difficult. We had a great time!!”

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