15 Best Waterfalls in Texas (2026 Updated)
Of the 31 named waterfalls in Texas, these 15 earn the strongest visitor ratings, led by Silver Falls, Chalk Ridge Falls, and Cattail Falls. The list spans the Caprock Canyons and Rolling Plains, Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment, and Trans-Pecos and the Devils River.
How We Picked
We ranked the 15 publicly accessible Texas 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. Silver Falls
Crosbyton, TX · Crosby County · Caprock Canyons and Rolling Plains
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.7-star Google rating and is the 7th most reviewed in the state, with 17 reviews. Reviews most often mention picnic areas, clean restroom, camping sites, and rocks. It is one of 6 named falls in the Caprock Canyons and Rolling Plains region. Twenty Foot Falls is only 0.4 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Crosbyton, about 4.5 miles to the west.
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2. Chalk Ridge Falls
Belton, TX · Bell County · Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.6-star Google rating and is the 3rd most reviewed in the state, with 38 reviews. 76% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention easy to find, kids, well, and park. It is one of 13 named falls in the Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment region. The nearest town is Belton, about 4.4 miles to the northeast.
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3. Cattail Falls
Presidio, TX · Brewster County · Trans-Pecos and the Devils River
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.7-star Google rating and is the 9th most reviewed in the state, with 16 reviews. Google's listing sums it up as: "Located in Big Bend National Park, this waterfall is accessible by a canyon hiking trail." Reviews most often mention hike. It is one of 4 named falls in the Trans-Pecos and the Devils River region. The nearest town is Presidio, about 66 miles to the west.
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4. Post Oak Falls
Lampasas, TX · San Saba County · Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 5 reviews. Reviews most often mention kayak rental and park. It is one of 13 named falls in the Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment region. The nearest town is Lampasas, about 17 miles to the east.
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5. Gorman Falls
San Saba, TX · San Saba County · Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment
Why it made the list
It is the most reviewed waterfall in Texas, holding 4.5 stars across 121 Google reviews. 75% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "With a 200 foot elevation gain, this scenic hike with a 70 ft. waterfall is 3 miles round trip." Reviews most often mention rocky trail, steep section, challenging hike, and rugged trail. It is one of 13 named falls in the Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment region. The nearest town is San Saba, about 17 miles to the northwest.
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6. The Falls
Marlin, TX · Falls County
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.5-star Google rating and is the 2nd most reviewed in the state, with 50 reviews. The nearest town is Marlin, about 4.3 miles to the north.
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7. Capote Falls
Marfa, TX · Presidio County · Trans-Pecos and the Devils River
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.5 stars across 8 reviews. The USGS gazetteer describes it as: The falls have a vertical drop of 175 feet making it the highest waterfall in Texas. It is one of 4 named falls in the Trans-Pecos and the Devils River region. The nearest town is Marfa, about 33 miles to the east.
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8. Lower McKinney Falls
Austin, TX · Bluff Springs County · Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.4-star Google rating and is the 4th most reviewed in the state, with 30 reviews. It is one of 13 named falls in the Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment region. The nearest town is Austin, about 5.6 miles to the north.
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9. Slumber Falls
New Braunfels, TX · Comal County · Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.4-star Google rating and is the 6th most reviewed in the state, with 18 reviews. It is one of 13 named falls in the Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment region. The nearest town is New Braunfels, about 3.7 miles to the south.
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10. Dolan Falls
Cienegas Terrace, TX · Val Verde County · Trans-Pecos and the Devils River
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.4-star Google rating and is the 8th most reviewed in the state, with 17 reviews. It is one of 4 named falls in the Trans-Pecos and the Devils River region. The nearest town is Cienegas Terrace, about 36 miles to the south.
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11. Kickapoo Falls
Oak Trail Shores, TX · Hood County · North Central Texas
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 3.9 stars across 7 reviews. It is one of 4 named falls in the North Central Texas region. The nearest town is Oak Trail Shores, about 9.8 miles to the southeast.
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12. Dittmar Falls
Lake Dunlap, TX · Guadalupe County · Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 3.7 stars across 7 reviews. It is one of 13 named falls in the Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment region. The nearest town is Lake Dunlap, about 1.6 miles to the north.
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13. Horseshoe Falls
Canyon Lake, TX · Comal County · Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment
Why it made the list
It holds a 3.9-star Google rating and is the 10th most reviewed in the state, with 12 reviews. Reviews most often mention river. It is one of 13 named falls in the Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment region. The nearest town is Canyon Lake, about 5.1 miles to the west.
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14. Spring Falls
Annetta, TX · Parker County · North Central Texas
Pictured: nearby Rock Falls (3.7 mi) Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 3.4 stars across 5 reviews. It is one of 4 named falls in the North Central Texas region. Cason Falls is only 2.9 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Annetta, about 1.9 miles to the north.
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15. Edge Falls
Bulverde, TX · Kendall County · Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment
Why it made the list
It holds a 3.6-star Google rating and is the 5th most reviewed in the state, with 25 reviews. It is one of 13 named falls in the Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment region. The nearest town is Bulverde, about 12 miles to the south.
When to Visit Texas's Waterfalls
Spring is the prime season across most of Texas. From March through early June, frequent storms and active springs keep Hill Country falls running, and wildflowers carpet the roadsides. Summer brings intense heat statewide; spring-fed falls such as Gorman Falls continue to flow, but many rain-fed falls dry up, and swimming holes become crowded. Autumn can bring heavy rains, especially in September and October, which revive falls but also bring dangerous flash floods. In the Trans-Pecos, the most reliable flow follows the summer monsoon, roughly July through September, while winter is the most comfortable season for hiking in Big Bend. Panhandle canyons see spring and summer thunderstorms, with occasional winter ice. Winter in the Hill Country is mild and flow is variable.
Before You Go
Texas is overwhelmingly private land, so access is the main planning challenge. Many falls are on ranches or private property and are not open to the public. The best-known sites are in Texas State Parks, such as Colorado Bend, McKinney Falls, Palo Duro Canyon and Caprock Canyons, which charge entry fees and can sell out of day passes on busy weekends, so reservations are wise. Cattail Falls is in Big Bend National Park, and Dolan Falls lies within a Nature Conservancy preserve with restricted access. The Hill Country is known as Flash Flood Alley, and rivers there can rise with startling speed; never cross flooded low-water crossings. Heat, sun and scarce water are serious hazards in summer, particularly in West Texas.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out.
Explore More Texas Waterfalls
See all 31 waterfalls in the Texas waterfall guide, or browse by town: Crosbyton, Belton, Presidio, Lampasas, San Saba, Marlin, Marfa, Austin.
More Texas Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best waterfall in Texas?
Silver Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.7-star rating from 17 Google reviews. It is near Crosbyton in Crosby County.
How was this list made?
We ranked the 15 publicly accessible Texas 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 Texas?
Our directory lists 31 named waterfalls in Texas. See them all, sorted by town, in the Texas waterfall guide.
What is the highest waterfall in Texas?
USGS records Capote Falls in Presidio County as the highest waterfall in Texas, with a vertical drop of 175 feet. It is in remote country in far West Texas.