Hidden Gem Waterfalls by State (2026)

Highly rated falls that few people review: 4.6 stars or better from 75 or fewer Google reviews.

We publish a ranked page for each state where at least 5 waterfalls qualify. 26 states meet that bar.

Hidden Gem Waterfalls by State

Top Pick in Each State

Waterfall	State	Why it made the list
Grotto Falls	Oregon	Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 44 Google reviews.
Tuolumne Falls	California	Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 11 Google reviews.
Silver Falls	Washington	Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 20 Google reviews.
Allen Falls	New York	Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 12 Google reviews.
Spray Falls	Michigan	Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 30 Google reviews.
Morrell Falls	Montana	Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 32 Google reviews.
Katahdin Stream Falls	Maine	Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 12 Google reviews.
Mingo Falls	North Carolina	Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 49 Google reviews.
Timberline Falls	Colorado	Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 21 Google reviews.
Little Manitou Falls	Wisconsin	Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 69 Google reviews.

Hidden Gem Waterfalls: FAQs

What counts as a hidden gem waterfall?

Highly rated falls that few people review: 4.6 stars or better from 75 or fewer Google reviews.

Which states have the most hidden gem waterfalls?

Oregon (46), California (43), Washington (41) have the most in our directory.

Why is my state missing?

We only publish a state page when at least 5 waterfalls in that state genuinely qualify, so the list is never padded. Every waterfall in every state is still on its state page.

Other Waterfall Types

Historic Waterfalls: Falls with a written record: a USGS naming history, a gazetteer description or older recorded names.
Cascades: Named cascades: water stepping down a series of ledges rather than falling in one drop.
Tall Waterfalls: Falls with a recorded height of 100 feet or more in the USGS gazetteer or their Google listing.
Small Waterfalls: Falls with a recorded height of 25 feet or less, often easy to reach and good in any season.
Waterfall Trails: Falls you reach on foot, ranked by the hikers who reviewed them.
Most Photographed Waterfalls: The falls visitors photograph and rate five stars most often.
Popular Waterfalls: The falls that draw the most visitors, by Google review volume.
Must-See Waterfalls: Five top-rated, widely visited falls per state, spread across its regions.
Roadside Waterfalls: Top-rated falls you can see with little or no hiking.