The best waterfalls near Annapolis, Maryland are Great Falls, Stubblefield Falls, Amos Falls and 3 more, ranked by visitor ratings and distance from the city. The closest is Stubblefield Falls, about 38 miles west of Annapolis.
For more waterfalls around Annapolis, browse the nearest towns: Potomac, Jarrettsville, North East, Rising Sun, Thurmont, Myersville, Oakland. You can also see every waterfall on the Maryland waterfalls page.
How we picked: We looked at the 6 publicly accessible Maryland waterfalls within 100 straight-line miles of Annapolis that have at least five Google reviews, then ranked them by a weighted rating with a small penalty for distance, so a great waterfall close to town edges out an equally rated one far away.
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1. Great Falls
41 miles west of Annapolis. Our top pick near the city 4.8 out of 5 from 623 reviews.
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Great Falls is about 41 miles west of Annapolis, near Potomac. Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 623 Google reviews, and 86% of them give it five stars. In short: "Stretch of powerful rapids & waterfalls on the Potomac River, with hiking trails nearby."
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2. Stubblefield Falls
38 miles west of Annapolis. Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 11 reviews.
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Stubblefield Falls is about 38 miles west of Annapolis, near Potomac. Visitors rate it 4.4 stars across 11 Google reviews.
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3. Amos Falls
50 miles north of Annapolis. Rated 3.8 out of 5 from 9 reviews.
Cecil County, MD 21034 (GPS 39.6584, -76.1663)
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Amos Falls is about 50 miles north of Annapolis, near Rising Sun. Visitors rate it 3.8 stars across 9 Google reviews.
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4. Cunningham Falls
69 miles northwest of Annapolis. Rated 4.3 out of 5 from 61 reviews.
Frederick County, MD 21783 (GPS 39.6315, -77.4714)
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Cunningham Falls is about 69 miles northwest of Annapolis, near Thurmont. Visitors rate it 4.3 stars across 61 Google reviews, and 61% of them give it five stars. Older records also call it McAfee Falls.
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5. Gilpins Falls
55 miles northeast of Annapolis. Rated 4.1 out of 5 from 38 reviews.
Cecil County, MD 21921 (GPS 39.6476, -75.9522)
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Gilpins Falls is about 55 miles northeast of Annapolis, near North East. Visitors rate it 4.1 stars across 38 Google reviews, and 66% of them give it five stars. Older records also call it Gilpin's Falls.
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6. The Cascade
67 miles northwest of Annapolis. Rated 3.0 out of 5 from 26 reviews.
Frederick County, MD 21773 (GPS 39.5174, -77.5248)
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The Cascade is about 67 miles northwest of Annapolis, near Myersville. Visitors rate it 3.0 stars across 26 Google reviews, and 38% of them give it five stars.
Waterfall Day Trips From Annapolis
| Waterfall | Distance | Nearest town | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stubblefield Falls | 38 mi west | Potomac | 4.4 |
| Great Falls | 41 mi west | Potomac | 4.8 |
| Amos Falls | 50 mi north | Rising Sun | 3.8 |
| Gilpins Falls | 55 mi northeast | North East | 4.1 |
| The Cascade | 67 mi northwest | Myersville | 3.0 |
| Cunningham Falls | 69 mi northwest | Thurmont | 4.3 |
Straight-line distances from downtown Annapolis. Driving distances are longer, especially in the mountains.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best waterfall near Annapolis?
Great Falls tops our 2026 list. It is about 41 miles west of Annapolis and rated 4.8 stars from 623 Google reviews.
What is the closest waterfall to Annapolis?
Of the waterfalls on this list, Stubblefield Falls is the closest, about 38 straight-line miles west of the city, near Potomac.
How many waterfalls are near Annapolis?
We track 6 publicly accessible, reviewed waterfalls in Maryland within 100 miles of Annapolis, 2 of this list's picks within 50 miles. See every waterfall in the state on the Maryland waterfalls page.
How was this list made?
We looked at the 6 publicly accessible Maryland waterfalls within 100 straight-line miles of Annapolis that have at least five Google reviews, then ranked them by a weighted rating with a small penalty for distance, so a great waterfall close to town edges out an equally rated one far away.
What is the tallest waterfall in Maryland?
Muddy Creek Falls in Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, is described as the state's highest waterfall at 53 feet. It drops over a sandstone ledge into a forested gorge.
Summary
Great Falls is our top waterfall pick near Annapolis, rated 4.8 out of 5 and about 41 miles from the city. Ratings and review counts reflect public data at the time of writing and can change, and trail access and water levels vary through the year, so confirm conditions before you go.
Spring is generally the strongest season for Maryland's falls, when winter snowmelt in Garrett County and frequent spring rains raise every stream. The Great Falls of the Potomac reflects rainfall over a vast upstream basin, so it can roar after storms in any season and runs especially high in late winter and spring. Summer brings lower flows and hot, humid weather, although Garrett County stays noticeably cooler. October is a fine month across the state, with fall color usually arriving first on the Allegheny Plateau and later in the Piedmont. Winter can coat Swallow Falls and Muddy Creek Falls in ice, but snow and freezing spray make paths treacherous.
For more Maryland waterfalls, see the full Maryland waterfalls page, or read 10 Best Waterfalls in Maryland, 5 Must-See Waterfalls in Maryland and 5 Most Visited Waterfalls in Maryland.