10 Best Waterfalls in Alaska (2026 Updated)
Of the 48 named waterfalls in Alaska, these 10 earn the strongest visitor ratings, led by Liberty Falls, Nugget Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. The list spans the Prince William Sound and Southcentral, Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage, and Southwest Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula.
How We Picked
We ranked the 9 publicly accessible Alaska waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands. Remaining spots go to falls with documented USGS history. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Liberty Falls
Valdez, AK · Copper River County · Prince William Sound and Southcentral
Why it made the list
It holds a 5.0-star Google rating and is the 7th most reviewed in the state, with 18 reviews. Reviews most often mention zombies, waterfall, and camping. The USGS gazetteer describes it as: on Liberty Creek 1.2 mi. S of its mouth, on Copper River, 66 mi. NE. of Valdez, Copper River Basin. Name history: Local name published in the 1950's by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). It is one of 14 named falls in the Prince William Sound and Southcentral region. The nearest town is Valdez, about 69 miles to the southwest.
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2. Nugget Falls
Juneau, AK · Juneau City and County · Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage
Why it made the list
It is the most reviewed waterfall in Alaska, holding 4.9 stars across 198 Google reviews. 94% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Destination for scenic walks & hikes with views of a large waterfall & adjacent glacier." It is one of 24 named falls in the Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage region. The nearest town is Juneau, about 9.6 miles to the southeast.
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3. Bridal Veil Falls
Valdez, AK · Chugach County · Prince William Sound and Southcentral
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.9-star Google rating and is the 2nd most reviewed in the state, with 49 reviews. 92% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 14 named falls in the Prince William Sound and Southcentral region. Horsetail Falls is only 0.4 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Valdez, about 16 miles to the west.
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4. Rudleston Falls
Valdez, AK · Chugach County · Prince William Sound and Southcentral
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.9-star Google rating and is the 8th most reviewed in the state, with 9 reviews. It is one of 14 named falls in the Prince William Sound and Southcentral region. Bridal Veil Falls is only 1.0 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Valdez, about 16 miles to the west.
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5. Ebner Falls
Juneau, AK · Juneau County · Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 9th most reviewed in the state, with 6 reviews. The USGS gazetteer describes it as: just above Last Chance Basin, 1 mi. W of Juneau, Coast Mts. Name history: Named for William Ebner, 1853-1938, a mining operator from Wisconsin who organized the Ebner Gold Mining Co. with a stamping mill near the falls about 1896. In 1908 he sold the property and left Juneau. Big Falls was the early miners' name for these falls. The present name was not used until about 1900 (DeArmond, 1957, p. 17). Older records also call it Big Falls. It is one of 24 named falls in the Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage region. Alaska Chief Falls is only 1.4 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Juneau, about 1.7 miles to the southwest.
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6. Brooks Falls
Dillingham, AK · Lake and Peninsula County · Southwest Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 6th most reviewed in the state, with 21 reviews. 90% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention bear watching, bears, walking, and salmon. The USGS gazetteer describes it as: Near the S shore of Iliuk Arm, Naknek Bay, on the outlet of Lake Brooks, in Katmai National Monument, NW on Mount Katmai, Alaska Peninsula, Aleutian Range. Name history: Named in 1919 by R. F. Griggs of the National Geographic Society for Alfred Hulse Brooks, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). See Brooks Range. Older records also call it Salmon Falls and Ketivik Falls. It is one of 10 named falls in the Southwest Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula region. The nearest town is Dillingham, about 101 miles to the west.
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7. Reid Falls
Haines, AK · Skagway County · Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 5th most reviewed in the state, with 25 reviews. 88% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Day-hiking locale with a moderate forest trail leading to a cascading waterfall." Reviews most often mention short walk, rocks, peaceful place, and easy hike. The USGS gazetteer describes it as: 1.9 mi. W of Twin Sewey Peaks and 1.5 mi. NE of Slagway, Coast Mts. Name history: Local name obtained by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) field personnel and published on Federal maps since 1950. It is one of 24 named falls in the Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage region. The nearest town is Haines, about 18 miles to the south.
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8. Horsetail Falls
Valdez, AK · Chugach County · Prince William Sound and Southcentral
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 3rd most reviewed in the state, with 36 reviews. 83% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Hiking trails through a lush spruce forest lead to this scenic waterfall with an observation area." Reviews most often mention photo opportunities, easy access, location, and veil. It is one of 14 named falls in the Prince William Sound and Southcentral region. Bridal Veil Falls is only 0.4 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Valdez, about 15 miles to the west.
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9. Thunder Bird Falls
Knik-Fairview, AK · Anchorage County · Prince William Sound and Southcentral
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.6-star Google rating and is the 4th most reviewed in the state, with 26 reviews. Reviews most often mention gorge view, scenery, restrooms, and falls. The USGS gazetteer describes it as: on Thunder Bird Creek, 0.4 mi. S of its junction with Eklutna River, 4.7 mi. NE of Birchwood and 24 mi. NE of Anchorage, Cooke Inlet Low. Name history: Local name reported in 1942 by Army Map Service (AMS). It is one of 14 named falls in the Prince William Sound and Southcentral region. The nearest town is Knik-Fairview, about 9.4 miles to the northwest.
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10. Suicide Falls
Juneau, AK · Juneau County · Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage
Pictured: nearby Ebner Falls (2.6 mi) Why it made the list
The USGS gazetteer describes it as: on Cross Bay Creek near its mouth on Gastineau Channel, 2.8 mi. SE of Juneau, Coast Mts. Name history: Local name published in 1962 by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). It is one of 24 named falls in the Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage region. Lost Rocker Falls is only 1.5 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Juneau, about 3.0 miles to the northwest.
When to Visit Alaska's Waterfalls
Alaska's waterfall season is short and runs roughly from late May into September. Snowmelt drives the strongest flows from late May through June in Southcentral and the Interior, while glacier-fed streams keep running hard through July and August as summer heat melts ice. In Southeast Alaska, rain matters as much as melt: the wettest stretch typically arrives in autumn, so September and October can produce surging falls along with low cloud and short days. Brooks Falls draws visitors in July, when sockeye runs peak, and again in September. Winter brings deep snow, avalanche danger on steep approaches and many frozen falls, though some roadside cascades become ice climbing objectives. Cruise-ship days concentrate crowds at Juneau and Skagway trailheads in midsummer.
Before You Go
Most of Alaska's named falls lie on public land managed by the Tongass and Chugach national forests, the National Park Service, state parks such as Chugach State Park, or the Bureau of Land Management, with some on Native corporation land where permission may be needed. Only a minority are on the road system; elsewhere, access depends on ferries, floatplanes or boats, and weather delays are routine. Bears are present across the state, so carrying bear spray and making noise on brushy trails is standard practice. Glacial meltwater is dangerously cold and silty, which hides depth and footing, and rivers rise quickly on warm afternoons. Near glaciers, ice calving and rockfall make approaching the base of a fall unwise. Rain gear and layers are essential even in July.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out.
Explore More Alaska Waterfalls
See all 48 waterfalls in the Alaska waterfall guide, or browse by town: Valdez, Juneau, Dillingham, Haines, Knik-Fairview.
More Alaska Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best waterfall in Alaska?
Liberty Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 5.0-star rating from 18 Google reviews. It is near Valdez in Copper River County.
How was this list made?
We ranked the 9 publicly accessible Alaska waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands. Remaining spots go to falls with documented USGS history.
How many waterfalls are in Alaska?
Our directory lists 48 named waterfalls in Alaska. See them all, sorted by town, in the Alaska waterfall guide.
Which Alaska waterfall is easiest to visit?
Nugget Falls near the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau is the most reviewed fall in our directory and is reached by a well-used walk from the visitor area. In Southcentral, the roadside falls of Keystone Canyon near Valdez and Thunder Bird Falls near Anchorage are also accessible without a plane or boat.