These are the Alaska waterfalls that draw the biggest crowds, measured by Google review volume and led by Nugget Falls. Popular does not have to mean packed if you time it right.
For every waterfall we track nearby, see the full list of waterfalls in Alaska, or browse by town: Juneau, Valdez, Knik-Fairview, Haines. You can also compare our best waterfalls in Alaska and must-see waterfalls in Alaska.
How we picked: Ranked purely by the number of Google reviews, the best public signal of how many people visit. Together these five account for 86% of all Google reviews of Alaska waterfalls.
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1. Nugget Falls
Nugget Falls near Juneau takes the top spot, rated 4.9 out of 5 from 198 reviews.
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198 Google reviews make it the most visited waterfall in Alaska, about 51% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. That is 4.0 times as many as Bridal Veil Falls in second place. Visitors have shared 1,103 photos of it. It averages 4.9 stars, with 94% five-star reviews. "Destination for scenic walks & hikes with views of a large waterfall & adjacent glacier." The nearest town is Juneau, about 9.6 miles to the southeast.
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2. Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls, near Valdez, is next up, rated 4.9 out of 5 from 49 reviews.
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49 Google reviews make it number 2 in Alaska, about 13% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 147 photos of it. It averages 4.9 stars, with 92% five-star reviews. The nearest town is Valdez, about 16 miles to the west.
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3. Horsetail Falls
Horsetail Falls, near Valdez, is next up, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 36 reviews. Visitors come here for photo opportunities, easy access, and location.
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36 Google reviews make it number 3 in Alaska, about 9% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 146 photos of it. It averages 4.8 stars, with 83% five-star reviews. "Hiking trails through a lush spruce forest lead to this scenic waterfall with an observation area." Reviews most often mention photo opportunities, easy access, and location. The nearest town is Valdez, about 15 miles to the west.
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4. Thunder Bird Falls
Thunder Bird Falls near Knik-Fairview is another strong option, rated 4.6 out of 5 from 26 reviews. Visitors come here for gorge view, scenery, and restrooms.
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26 Google reviews make it number 4 in Alaska, about 7% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 77 photos of it. It averages 4.6 stars, with 69% five-star reviews. Reviews most often mention gorge view, scenery, and restrooms. The nearest town is Knik-Fairview, about 9.4 miles to the northwest.
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5. Reid Falls
Reid Falls near Haines is worth the drive, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 25 reviews. Visitors come here for short walk, rocks, and peaceful place.
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25 Google reviews make it number 5 in Alaska, about 6% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 105 photos of it. It averages 4.8 stars, with 88% five-star reviews. "Day-hiking locale with a moderate forest trail leading to a cascading waterfall." Reviews most often mention short walk, rocks, and peaceful place. The nearest town is Haines, about 18 miles to the south.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most visited waterfall in Alaska?
Nugget Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.9-star rating from 198 Google reviews. It is near Juneau in Juneau City and County.
How was this list made?
Ranked purely by the number of Google reviews, the best public signal of how many people visit. Together these five account for 86% of all Google reviews of Alaska waterfalls.
How many waterfalls are in Alaska?
Our directory lists 48 waterfalls in Alaska. See every one, with filters and a map, on the Alaska waterfalls page.
Can Brooks Falls be reached by road?
No. Brooks Falls is in Katmai on the Alaska Peninsula, and visitors typically arrive by floatplane. Bear viewing there is managed by the National Park Service, so it is worth checking the park's current guidance before planning a trip.
Summary
Nugget Falls near Juneau is our top pick for most visited waterfalls in Alaska, rated 4.9 out of 5 from 198 reviews. Ratings and review counts reflect public data at the time of writing and can change, and trail access, water levels and road conditions vary through the year, so confirm current conditions before you drive out.
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.
For more options, see every waterfall on the Alaska waterfalls page, read 10 Best Waterfalls in Alaska, or check our waterfall safety tips before you go.