5 Must-See Waterfalls in Alaska (2026)
If you only have time for five Alaska waterfalls, make it these: the state's most visited falls, spread out so the list covers the Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage, Prince William Sound and Southcentral, and Southwest Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula.
How We Picked
These are the five most visited Alaska waterfalls rated 4.2 stars or higher, measured by Google review count, with no two picks within 8 miles of each other so the list covers more of the state. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Nugget Falls
Juneau, AK · Juneau City and County · Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage
Why it is a must-see
With 198 Google reviews it is the single most visited waterfall in Alaska, and it holds 4.9 stars. In short: "Destination for scenic walks & hikes with views of a large waterfall & adjacent glacier." 4 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Ebner Falls and Alaska Chief Falls. It is one of 24 named falls in the Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage region. The nearest town is Juneau, about 9.6 miles to the southeast.
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2. Bridal Veil Falls
Valdez, AK · Chugach County · Prince William Sound and Southcentral
Why it is a must-see
With 49 Google reviews it is the 2nd most visited waterfall in Alaska, and it holds 4.9 stars. 2 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Horsetail Falls and Rudleston Falls. It is one of 14 named falls in the Prince William Sound and Southcentral region. The nearest town is Valdez, about 16 miles to the west.
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3. Thunder Bird Falls
Knik-Fairview, AK · Anchorage County · Prince William Sound and Southcentral
Why it is a must-see
With 26 Google reviews it is the 4th most visited waterfall in Alaska, and it holds 4.6 stars. Expect gorge view, scenery, and restrooms, the topics reviewers bring up most. The USGS gazetteer describes it as: on Thunder Bird Creek, 0.4 mi. S of its junction with Eklutna River, 4.7 mi. NE of Birchwood and 24 mi. NE of Anchorage, Cooke Inlet Low. It is one of 14 named falls in the Prince William Sound and Southcentral region. The nearest town is Knik-Fairview, about 9.4 miles to the northwest.
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4. Reid Falls
Haines, AK · Skagway County · Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage
Why it is a must-see
With 25 Google reviews it is the 5th most visited waterfall in Alaska, and it holds 4.8 stars. In short: "Day-hiking locale with a moderate forest trail leading to a cascading waterfall." Expect short walk, rocks, and peaceful place, the topics reviewers bring up most. The USGS gazetteer describes it as: 1.9 mi. W of Twin Sewey Peaks and 1.5 mi. NE of Slagway, Coast Mts. 2 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Pitchfork Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. It is one of 24 named falls in the Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage region. The nearest town is Haines, about 18 miles to the south.
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5. Brooks Falls
Dillingham, AK · Lake and Peninsula County · Southwest Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula
Why it is a must-see
With 21 Google reviews it is the 6th most visited waterfall in Alaska, and it holds 4.8 stars. Expect bear watching, bears, and walking, the topics reviewers bring up most. The USGS gazetteer describes it as: Near the S shore of Iliuk Arm, Naknek Bay, on the outlet of Lake Brooks, in Katmai National Monument, NW on Mount Katmai, Alaska Peninsula, Aleutian Range. It is one of 10 named falls in the Southwest Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula region. The nearest town is Dillingham, about 101 miles to the west.
A Route Linking All Five
Starting from the northernmost pick and always heading to the nearest remaining one, the five cover about 1339 straight-line miles. Road distances are longer.
- Thunder Bird Falls (start, near Knik-Fairview)
- Bridal Veil Falls, about 118 mi east
- Reid Falls, about 379 mi east
- Nugget Falls, about 77 mi south
- Brooks Falls, about 764 mi west
When to Visit Alaska's Waterfalls
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.
Before You Go
Most of Alaska's named falls lie on public land managed by the Tongass and Chugach national forests, the National Park Service, state parks such as Chugach State Park, or the Bureau of Land Management, with some on Native corporation land where permission may be needed. Only a minority are on the road system; elsewhere, access depends on ferries, floatplanes or boats, and weather delays are routine. Bears are present across the state, so carrying bear spray and making noise on brushy trails is standard practice. Glacial meltwater is dangerously cold and silty, which hides depth and footing, and rivers rise quickly on warm afternoons. Near glaciers, ice calving and rockfall make approaching the base of a fall unwise. Rain gear and layers are essential even in July.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out.
Explore More Alaska Waterfalls
See all 48 waterfalls in the Alaska waterfall guide, or browse by town: Juneau, Valdez, Knik-Fairview, Haines, Dillingham.
More Alaska Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number one must-see 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?
These are the five most visited Alaska waterfalls rated 4.2 stars or higher, measured by Google review count, with no two picks within 8 miles of each other so the list covers more of the state.
Can you see all five in one trip?
The five are about 1339 straight-line miles apart in total when visited in the order suggested above. Most people split them across two or more days.
How many waterfalls are in Alaska?
Our directory lists 48 named waterfalls in Alaska. See them all, sorted by town, in the Alaska waterfall guide.
Which Alaska waterfall is easiest to visit?
Nugget Falls near the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau is the most reviewed fall in our directory and is reached by a well-used walk from the visitor area. In Southcentral, the roadside falls of Keystone Canyon near Valdez and Thunder Bird Falls near Anchorage are also accessible without a plane or boat.