15 Best Waterfalls in Idaho (2026 Updated)
Of the 66 named waterfalls in Idaho, these 15 earn the strongest visitor ratings, led by Upper Mesa Falls, Copper Falls, and Snow Creek Falls. The list spans the Henrys Fork and Eastern Idaho, North Idaho Panhandle, and Snake River Canyon and Magic Valley.
How We Picked
We ranked the 28 publicly accessible Idaho 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. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Upper Mesa Falls
Ashton, ID · Fremont County · Henrys Fork and Eastern Idaho
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.9-star Google rating and is the 2nd most reviewed in the state, with 466 reviews. 91% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "A viewing platform offers a close view of this powerful 10-story waterfall along the Snake River." The USGS gazetteer describes it as: The falls have a vertical drop of 114 feet. Older records also call it Big Falls and Mesa Falls. It is one of 6 named falls in the Henrys Fork and Eastern Idaho region. Lower Mesa Falls is only 1.0 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Ashton, about 10.0 miles to the southwest.
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2. Copper Falls
Bonners Ferry, ID · Boundary County · North Idaho Panhandle
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 36 reviews. 97% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention well kept trail, overlook, easy hike, and spring. It is one of 17 named falls in the North Idaho Panhandle region. The nearest town is Bonners Ferry, about 21 miles to the south.
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3. Snow Creek Falls
Bonners Ferry, ID · Boundary County · North Idaho Panhandle
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.9-star Google rating and is the 7th most reviewed in the state, with 70 reviews. 90% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 17 named falls in the North Idaho Panhandle region. The nearest town is Bonners Ferry, about 5.4 miles to the east.
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4. Lower Mesa Falls
Ashton, ID · Fremont County · Henrys Fork and Eastern Idaho
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.9-star Google rating and is the 8th most reviewed in the state, with 62 reviews. 90% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Picturesque waterfall with an overlook reached by beginner-friendly & advanced forest hiking trails." Older records also call it Lower Falls. It is one of 6 named falls in the Henrys Fork and Eastern Idaho region. Upper Mesa Falls is only 1.0 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Ashton, about 9.6 miles to the southwest.
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5. Elk Creek Falls
Orofino, ID · Clearwater County · North Idaho Panhandle
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 38 reviews. 97% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention hiking trail, viewing areas, area, and beautiful place. Older records also call it Old Camp Y. It is one of 17 named falls in the North Idaho Panhandle region. Bull Run Creek Falls is only 1.0 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Orofino, about 18 miles to the south.
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6. Perrine Coulee Falls
Twin Falls, ID · Twin Falls County · Snake River Canyon and Magic Valley
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 5th most reviewed in the state, with 187 reviews. 83% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 16 named falls in the Snake River Canyon and Magic Valley region. Pillar Falls is only 2.1 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Twin Falls, about 2.4 miles to the south.
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7. Fall Creek Falls
Victor, ID · Bonneville County · Henrys Fork and Eastern Idaho
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 6th most reviewed in the state, with 127 reviews. 82% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention rope for descent, slippery path, access to the falls, and top of the falls. It is one of 6 named falls in the Henrys Fork and Eastern Idaho region. The nearest town is Victor, about 17 miles to the northeast.
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8. Sheep Falls
Ashton, ID · Fremont County · Henrys Fork and Eastern Idaho
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 13 reviews. It is one of 6 named falls in the Henrys Fork and Eastern Idaho region. The nearest town is Ashton, about 9.3 miles to the south.
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9. Shadow Falls
Kellogg, ID · Shoshone County · North Idaho Panhandle
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 27 reviews. 81% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 17 named falls in the North Idaho Panhandle region. Fern Falls is only under 0.1 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Kellogg, about 15 miles to the south.
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10. Selway Falls
Kamiah, ID · Idaho County · Central Idaho Mountains
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 23 reviews. 83% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention high water, gravel road, campgrounds, and picnic. The USGS gazetteer describes it as: The falls have a vertical drop of 50 feet. Located in sec 2,T31N,R9E, Boise Meridian. Older records also call it Selway Falls Recreation Site. It is one of 27 named falls in the Central Idaho Mountains region. The nearest town is Kamiah, about 37 miles to the west.
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11. McAbee Falls
Priest River, ID · Bonner County · North Idaho Panhandle
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 6 reviews. It is one of 17 named falls in the North Idaho Panhandle region. The nearest town is Priest River, about 7.4 miles to the south.
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12. Dagger Falls
Cascade, ID · Valley County · Central Idaho Mountains
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.7 stars across 12 reviews. It is one of 27 named falls in the Central Idaho Mountains region. The nearest town is Cascade, about 37 miles to the west.
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13. Sheep Falls
Ashton, ID · Fremont County · Henrys Fork and Eastern Idaho
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.7 stars across 16 reviews. It is one of 6 named falls in the Henrys Fork and Eastern Idaho region. The nearest town is Ashton, about 18 miles to the west.
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14. Jump Creek Falls
Marsing, ID · Owyhee County · Snake River Canyon and Magic Valley
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.7-star Google rating and is the 3rd most reviewed in the state, with 392 reviews. 83% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention family hike, canyon, walk to falls, and swimming hole. It is one of 16 named falls in the Snake River Canyon and Magic Valley region. The nearest town is Marsing, about 7.4 miles to the northeast.
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15. Shoshone Falls
Twin Falls, ID · Twin Falls County · Snake River Canyon and Magic Valley
Why it made the list
It is the most reviewed waterfall in Idaho, holding 4.7 stars across 936 Google reviews. 79% of reviewers give it five stars. Older records also call it Canadian Falls. It is one of 16 named falls in the Snake River Canyon and Magic Valley region. Pillar Falls is only 1.6 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Twin Falls, about 3.8 miles to the southwest.
When to Visit Idaho's Waterfalls
Snowmelt makes late spring the peak season across Idaho. In the Snake River Canyon, Shoshone Falls usually runs fullest from about April into early June; later in summer, upstream diversions for irrigation can reduce it to a fraction of its spring volume. Mesa Falls and the Panhandle falls generally peak in May and June as mountain snow melts. Central Idaho's higher-elevation falls may not be reachable until roads and trails clear of snow, often in late June or July, and flows remain decent through midsummer. Late summer and early fall bring lower water, smoke from wildfires in some years, and fall color in the northern forests. Winter is quiet; some canyon falls form ice, but many mountain roads are closed or unplowed.
Before You Go
Ownership in Idaho varies by region. Shoshone Falls is a city park in Twin Falls, while canyon falls around it mix city, state, private and federal land. Jump Creek Falls is on Bureau of Land Management land. In the mountains, most falls sit in national forests such as the Caribou-Targhee, Boise, Payette, Salmon-Challis, Nez Perce-Clearwater and Idaho Panhandle. Expect long gravel roads, seasonal closures and patchy cell service in central and north Idaho. Hazards include cold, swift snowmelt rivers, unstable basalt and canyon rims without railings, and slick rock in spray zones. Wildfire activity and smoke can close areas in late summer. Carry a paper map and plan fuel stops in remote counties.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out.
Explore More Idaho Waterfalls
See all 66 waterfalls in the Idaho waterfall guide, or browse by town: Ashton, Bonners Ferry, Orofino, Twin Falls, Victor, Kellogg, Kamiah, Priest River.
More Idaho Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best waterfall in Idaho?
Upper Mesa Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.9-star rating from 466 Google reviews. It is near Ashton in Fremont County.
How was this list made?
We ranked the 28 publicly accessible Idaho 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.
How many waterfalls are in Idaho?
Our directory lists 66 named waterfalls in Idaho. See them all, sorted by town, in the Idaho waterfall guide.
Why is Shoshone Falls lower in late summer?
Water from the Snake River is diverted upstream for irrigation during the growing season, so the falls carry much less water by mid to late summer. Spring, before diversions peak, is the best time to see it at full force.