Determining the highest waterfall in the United States is complex, often depending on how the height is measured and whether the water flow is permanent or seasonal. Measurement disputes arise concerning whether the drop is a sheer vertical plunge or a series of cascades. However, for most visitors and geographic organizations, one iconic cascade in the western US is the generally accepted superlative.
The Highest Waterfall in the US
The most recognized and publicly accessible highest waterfall in the United States is Yosemite Falls, located in Yosemite National Park, California. It drops a total of 2,425 feet from its crest to the valley floor.
The water flow is a tiered system composed of three distinct sections, not a single continuous plunge. The uppermost section, Upper Yosemite Fall, accounts for the majority of the total height with a sheer drop of 1,430 feet.
Below the Upper Fall are the Middle Cascades, a series of four smaller drops that collectively descend 675 feet down a rugged gorge. The final and most accessible section is the Lower Yosemite Fall, which plunges 320 feet and is easily viewed from the valley floor. Fed by the Sierra Nevada’s winter snowpack, the falls experience peak flow during late spring and early summer before dwindling to a trickle by late summer.
Defining “Highest” in Waterfalls
Determining the absolute highest waterfall involves specific criteria used by hydrologists and geographers. One of the primary points of contention is the distinction between a sheer drop (plunge), where water loses contact with the cliff face, and a cascade, which is a series of steep, broken drops and slides.
Flow permanence addresses whether the water flows consistently throughout the year. Waterfalls fed by seasonal snowmelt or heavy rain can sometimes be excluded from “highest” lists if their flow is too intermittent.
The total vertical distance from the crest of the uppermost drop to the base of the lowest plunge pool is the standard for measuring overall height. This method, however, can include a long series of steep, broken drops, leading to debate over whether a waterfall should be measured by its total vertical drop or by its single longest vertical plunge.
Other Notable Tall Waterfalls in the US
Colonial Creek Falls in Washington’s North Cascades National Park is often cited as the tallest in the contiguous United States, with a reported height of 2,568 feet. This height is achieved over 13 distinct tiers of cascades, making it less universally recognized than Yosemite’s more dramatic plunges.
The highest waterfall in the entire country is Olo’upena Falls on Molokai, Hawaii, plunging 2,953 feet down the island’s sea cliffs. This fall is extremely remote, has a low volume, and is only visible from the air or sea, making it a statistical superlative rather than a publicly accepted landmark. Shoshone Falls in Idaho, at 212 feet, is significantly shorter but is sometimes called the “Niagara of the West” due to its impressive width and volume of water flowing over the Snake River.