These are the Maryland waterfalls that draw the biggest crowds, measured by Google review volume and led by Great 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 Maryland, or browse by town: Potomac, Thurmont, Oakland, North East, Myersville. You can also compare our best waterfalls in Maryland and must-see waterfalls in Maryland.
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 95% of all Google reviews of Maryland waterfalls.
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1. Great Falls
Great Falls near Potomac takes the top spot, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 623 reviews.
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623 Google reviews make it the most visited waterfall in Maryland, about 75% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. That is 10.2 times as many as Cunningham Falls in second place. Visitors have shared 2,765 photos of it. It averages 4.8 stars, with 86% five-star reviews. "Stretch of powerful rapids & waterfalls on the Potomac River, with hiking trails nearby." Expect company: arrive early on weekends and holidays, when parking fills first. The nearest town is Potomac, about 2.8 miles to the northeast.
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2. Cunningham Falls
Cunningham Falls, near Thurmont, is next up, rated 4.3 out of 5 from 61 reviews.
Frederick County, MD 21783 (GPS 39.6315, -77.4714)
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61 Google reviews make it number 2 in Maryland, about 7% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 183 photos of it. It averages 4.3 stars, with 61% five-star reviews. The nearest town is Thurmont, about 3.3 miles to the east.
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3. Muddy Creek Falls
Muddy Creek Falls, near Oakland, is next up, rated 5.0 out of 5 from 43 reviews.
Garrett County, MD 21550 (GPS 39.5012, -79.4178)
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43 Google reviews make it number 3 in Maryland, about 5% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 291 photos of it. It averages 5.0 stars, with 98% five-star reviews. "State's highest waterfall at 53 feet flowing through a river gorge in forested state park." The nearest town is Oakland, about 6.5 miles to the south.
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4. Gilpins Falls
Gilpins Falls near North East is worth the drive, rated 4.1 out of 5 from 38 reviews.
Cecil County, MD 21921 (GPS 39.6476, -75.9522)
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38 Google reviews make it number 4 in Maryland, about 5% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 88 photos of it. It averages 4.1 stars, with 66% five-star reviews. The nearest town is North East, about 3.3 miles to the south.
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5. The Cascade
The Cascade near Myersville is worth the drive, rated 3.0 out of 5 from 26 reviews.
Frederick County, MD 21773 (GPS 39.5174, -77.5248)
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26 Google reviews make it number 5 in Maryland, about 3% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 14 photos of it. It averages 3.0 stars, with 38% five-star reviews. The nearest town is Myersville, about 2.4 miles to the west.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most visited waterfall in Maryland?
Great Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.8-star rating from 623 Google reviews. It is near Potomac in Montgomery 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 95% of all Google reviews of Maryland waterfalls.
How many waterfalls are in Maryland?
Our directory lists 15 waterfalls in Maryland. See every one, with filters and a map, on the Maryland waterfalls page.
Can Great Falls be seen from both Maryland and Virginia?
Yes. The falls span the Potomac River, with overlooks on the Maryland side within the C&O Canal National Historical Park and on the Virginia side in Great Falls Park. The two sides are not connected by a bridge at the falls, so plan to visit one side at a time.
Summary
Great Falls near Potomac is our top pick for most visited waterfalls in Maryland, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 623 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.
Spring is generally the strongest season for Maryland's falls, when winter snowmelt in Garrett County and frequent spring rains raise every stream. The Great Falls of the Potomac reflects rainfall over a vast upstream basin, so it can roar after storms in any season and runs especially high in late winter and spring. Summer brings lower flows and hot, humid weather, although Garrett County stays noticeably cooler. October is a fine month across the state, with fall color usually arriving first on the Allegheny Plateau and later in the Piedmont. Winter can coat Swallow Falls and Muddy Creek Falls in ice, but snow and freezing spray make paths treacherous.
For more options, see every waterfall on the Maryland waterfalls page, read 10 Best Waterfalls in Maryland, or check our waterfall safety tips before you go.