10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Texas (2026 Updated)
Ranked by what visitors photograph and rate five stars, these are the 10 most beautiful of Texas's 31 named waterfalls, starting with Gorman Falls. The list spans the Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment, Trans-Pecos and the Devils River, and Caprock Canyons and Rolling Plains.
How We Picked
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 14 publicly accessible Texas waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
-
1. Gorman Falls
San Saba, TX · San Saba County · Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 368 photos of it on Google, about 3.0 for every review. 75% of its 121 reviewers rate it five stars (4.5 average). Its listing describes it as: "With a 200 foot elevation gain, this scenic hike with a 70 ft. waterfall is 3 miles round trip." Reviewers single out its beautiful scenery. The setting includes Old Letdown Point (summit, 0.7 mi) and Hughes Hollow (valley, 1.8 mi). 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.
-
2. Cattail Falls
Presidio, TX · Brewster County · Trans-Pecos and the Devils River
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 43 photos of it on Google, about 2.7 for every review. 88% of its 16 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). Its listing describes it as: "Located in Big Bend National Park, this waterfall is accessible by a canyon hiking trail." The setting includes Cattail Canyon (valley, under 0.1 mi) and Carter Peak (summit, 0.3 mi). 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.
-
3. Chalk Ridge Falls
Belton, TX · Bell County · Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 197 photos of it on Google, about 5.2 for every review. 76% of its 38 reviewers rate it five stars (4.6 average). The setting includes Lake Boyd Callan (lake, 1.2 mi) and Stillhouse Hollow (valley, 1.7 mi). 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.
-
4. Lower McKinney Falls
Austin, TX · Bluff Springs County · Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 135 photos of it on Google, about 4.5 for every review. 67% of its 30 reviewers rate it five stars (4.4 average). 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.
-
5. Silver Falls
Crosbyton, TX · Crosby County · Caprock Canyons and Rolling Plains
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 19 photos of it on Google. 88% of its 17 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). The setting includes Blanco Canyon (valley, under 0.1 mi). It is one of 6 named falls in the Caprock Canyons and Rolling Plains region. The nearest town is Crosbyton, about 4.5 miles to the west.
-
6. The Falls
Marlin, TX · Falls County
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 51 photos of it on Google. 64% of its 50 reviewers rate it five stars (4.5 average). The nearest town is Marlin, about 4.3 miles to the north.
-
7. Post Oak Falls
Lampasas, TX · San Saba County · Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 13 photos of it on Google, about 2.6 for every review. 100% of its 5 reviewers rate it five stars (5.0 average). The setting includes Wolf Hollow (valley, 1.0 mi). 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.
-
8. Dolan Falls
Cienegas Terrace, TX · Val Verde County · Trans-Pecos and the Devils River
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 17 photos of it on Google. 76% of its 17 reviewers rate it five stars (4.4 average). The setting includes Falls Canyon (valley, 0.2 mi) and Leon Spring Canyon (valley, 0.2 mi). 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.
-
9. Slumber Falls
New Braunfels, TX · Comal County · Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 14 photos of it on Google. 78% of its 18 reviewers rate it five stars (4.4 average). 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.
-
10. Horseshoe Falls
Canyon Lake, TX · Comal County · Hill Country and Balcones Escarpment
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 10 photos of it on Google. 67% of its 12 reviewers rate it five stars (3.9 average). The setting includes Cordova Hollow (valley, 1.2 mi) and Heiser Hollow (valley, 1.4 mi). 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.
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. For better pictures, see our waterfall photography tips.
Explore More Texas Waterfalls
See all 31 waterfalls in the Texas waterfall guide, or browse by town: San Saba, Presidio, Belton, Austin, Crosbyton, Marlin, Lampasas, Cienegas Terrace.
More Texas Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most beautiful waterfall in Texas?
Gorman Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.5-star rating from 121 Google reviews. It is near San Saba in San Saba County.
How was this list made?
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 14 publicly accessible Texas waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views.
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.
Why do Hill Country waterfalls keep flowing in summer?
Many Hill Country falls, including Gorman Falls, are fed by springs from the Edwards Plateau's limestone aquifers. That groundwater keeps them running even when rain-fed creeks dry up.