Is there anything more exciting than coming upon the rush and roar of a gorgeous waterfall while hiking? There are thousands of waterfalls tucked inside America’s national parks, but a few stand out for their easy access and kid appeal. The following national park hikes are easy enough for kids to tackle and well worth the hustle for the beautiful cascades at the end.
Fisheye view of Alberta Falls as it rushes in early summer while snow melt adds to its flow.
Alberta Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park
Located on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, Alberta Falls is one of the most accessible and beautiful waterfalls in the area. It is an 1.6 -mile out-and-back hike without much elevation gain. The trail meanders through the pine and aspen groves, and there’s a good chance you’ll spot elk on your walk if you’re quiet. At .8 miles you will come upon Alberta Falls, a lovely 30-foot waterfall that thunders into a scenic gorge. The base of the falls is a perfect spot for a picnic lunch.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Location: Glacier Gorge Junction Trailhead near Estes Park
Best time to hike: Summer and fall
LeConte Creek, Great Smokey Mountains National Park.
Indian Creek and Tom Branch Falls in Smoky Mountain National Park
There are dozens of majestic waterfalls in Smoky Mountain National Park. Some you can view from the side of the road, without leaving your car, and others require a grueling hike requiring several hours and a decent amount of endurance. The hike to Indian Creed and Tom Branch Falls is somewhere in between these two extremes, requiring a 1.6-mile roundtrip hike through dense woodlands on an easy trail. Tom Branch Falls cascades 70-80 feet, and is surrounded by greenery. Indian Creek Falls is just 30 feet high, but much wider than it is tall. Both falls flow into shallow pools that are lovely for splashing around in.
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Deep Creek Trailhead, near Bryson City, North Carolina
Best time to hike: Spring, summer, fall
Autumn of the narrows and Virgin River in Zion National Park Zion.
Mystery Falls in Zion National Park
Despite its desert climate and topography, Zion National Park in Utah is home to some of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls. The gorgeous and awe-inspiring Mystery Falls is located in the section of the park known as The Narrows. It’s a perfect hike for a hot summer day, as there are ample opportunities for getting wet. Start your hike at the Temple of Sinawava and take the Riverside Walk ½ mile to Mystery Falls. The falls cascade down the walls of the canyon into the river. If you’re hiking with older kids, you can hike as far as you want into The Narrows, but be warned that much of the hike past the falls is actually through the river. Check with the ranger station before your hike to rule out the possibility of a flash flood.
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Temple of Sinawava (the last stop on the Zion Canyon shuttle)
Best time to hike: Summer
Lower Yosemite fall, Yosemite National Park, California.
Yosemite Falls in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in the world and one of the main attractions in Yosemite National Park in central California. There are three distinct drops to the falls, totalling 2,425 feet. It’s an easy 1-mile, paved loop to the base of lower Yosemite Falls, and you’re guaranteed to share the trail with a bit of a crowd. There’s plenty of room for kids to explore, and everyone will be rewarded with stunning views of the upper and lower falls. Hike clockwise for the best views.
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Yosemite Village day parking or shuttle stop #6
Best time to hike: Spring
Brandywine Falls in Cuyahoga National Park
This is one of the highlights of Cuyahoga National Park near Cleveland, Ohio, and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Lake Erie Watershed. The trail is a scenic, 1-7-mile loop through a hardwood forest. The falls are 65-feet high, and most spectacular in the springtime when the water levels are high. There are numerous viewpoints of the falls from sturdy boardwalks, but their is no water access.