These 17 Frozen Waterfalls Across America Make Us Want To Bundle Up And Explore
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Sarah McCosham
Author
We’re an unabashed bunch of waterfall chasers here at OnlyInYourState, as these epic wonders truly fuel and fan the flames of our insatiable wanderlust. And while most of us reserve our waterfall adventures for the spring and summer seasons, there’s something truly marvelous about visiting a cascade in the height of winter. Because in these frosty, most frigid months, some our country’s most resplendent, roaring, rushing cascades freeze solid. It’s as if Old Man Winter took a deep breath and blew the country’s most dynamic, flowing falls into something still and stationary, frozen and fantastic. There’s nothing quite like a frozen waterfall, and this fleeting phenomenon is something you can only experience in the throes of winter. So bundle up and get ready to explore; these frozen waterfalls across America are nothing short of magical.
Snoqualmie Falls, Snoqualmie, WA 98024, USA
Snoqualmie Falls is one of Washington state's most popular scenic attractions. More than 1.5 million visitors come to the falls every year, and while this Washington cascade is marvelous after a heavy spring rain -- or when surrounded by fall foliage -- during the winter, Snoqualmie Falls is positively sublime. When the cold descends upon the Pacific Northwest, this incredible cascade suspends in the air, frozen in a fleeting, beautiful moment in time. This isn't something that happens every day in the PNW -- or even every winter. So when temperatures plummet, pack your gear and head to this wondrous Washington waterfall.
Multnomah Falls, Oregon, USA
Mighty Multnomah Falls is a vision, and one of the crown jewels of the Pacific Northwest. This 620-foot fall will take your breath away, and leave you in awe at the glory of Mother Nature. Breathtakingly beautiful year-round, there are numerous ways to experience the falls: a variety of hikes, a pedestrian bridge, and while dining in Multnomah Falls Lodge. Winter is the most magical season to visit Multnomah Falls, however, especially during an (admittedly rare) mid-season freeze. When frozen, Multnomah Falls is truly a fantastic sight to see. If you get the chance to visit this wonder in its frozen state, don't pass up the opportunity -- it's truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
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Roughlock Falls, South Lawrence, SD, USA
The Badlands of South Dakota are known for many things; frozen waterfalls aren't one of them. But that's only because most have never visited Spearfish Canyon in the winter, when its 1,000-foot walls are covered in ice and snow, making for the best seasonal drive in the country. The 19-mile Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway winds along commanding limestone palisades, framed by several waterfalls, which, in the dead of winter, literally freeze into glittering, granite sheets. Between the dazzling icicles and snow-topped trees, this is a winter wonderland unlike any other. For the most immersive experience of this stunning scene, consider snowshoeing to Roughlock Falls -- we guarantee you'll be so dazzled, you won't even notice the cold!
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Bridal Veil Falls, Utah 84604, USA
Bridal Veil Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in Utah -- and the Southwest, too. While most enjoy this Utah destination in the warmer months, experiencing the falls frozen in place is truly a bucket-list experience. There's something utterly enchanting about this frozen waterfall: the way the sunlight sparkles and reflects the ice, the awe-inspiring silence, and the sheer magnitude of it all. Bridal Veil Falls is 607 feet of pure power, and truly is one of Mother Nature's greatest artistic achievements.
The Fang, 3088 Booth Creek Dr, Vail, CO 81657, USA
In a state defined by epic winter recreation, it can be difficult to stand out. But "stand out" is precisely what The Fang does. Those who think waterfalls are best reserved for the warmer seasons clearly haven't seen Colorado's fantastic frozen falls. One of the most famous winter spots is The Fang, a 165-foot tall waterfall in Vail. This cascade is actually more popular in the winter than in the summer, as adventure-seekers enjoy the challenge of scaling this epic wall of ice. Of all the incredible waterfalls in Colorado, there truly is nothing like The Fang.
Glory Hole Falls Trail, Arkansas 72854, USA
There’s more than just a sea of green within the Ozark National Forest in Arkansas. Some of the best waterfalls in the Midwest are hidden in this epic expanse, like, of course, Glory Hole. This wholly unique waterfall is unlike anything you've seen before; the water flows through the rock instead of over it, creating a circular cascade that's truly spectacular. And the wonders don't stop there, either; in the winter, when the Natural State experiences a cold spall, this iconoclast of a waterfall freezes into a perfectly suspended column that will absolutely take your breath away.
Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA
Minnesota is positively overflowing with gorgeous waterfalls; from the incredibly popular Gooseberry Falls in Two Harbors to the lesser-known Winnewissa Falls in Pipestone, the Land of 10,000 Lakes might well be called the Land of the Waterfalls. But none hold a candle to Minnehaha Falls, a 53-foot cascade that's the Platonic ideal of waterfalls. This Minneapolis waterfall, like all the others in the state, is beautiful in the spring and summer, but in the winter, it holds an otherworldly beauty that will render you speechless. It's absolutely worth braving the cold to see, however, and it's such a wondrous sight that you might just want to stay in this real-life "Frozen" fairy tale forever.
Apostle Islands, Wisconsin, USA
Scattered like jewels in the icy blue waters of Lake Superior are a collection of wild islands known as "The Apostles." Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands are a fairy tale fantasy filled with sea caves, emerald-green pools, deserted beaches, and lighthouses that still signal across waters littered with the wrecks of old schooners. For visitors, reaching this pure, remote beauty takes a bit of effort; but when you arrive at the islands, your hard work will be handsomely rewarded. In the summer, these undisturbed beaches and pools will feel like your very own private island escape; in the winter, however, you'll feel as though you've landed on the frozen Planet Hoth. Water suspended mid-air, massive icicles, cold blue waters, and glittering cavern walls make Apostle Islands a place of otherworldly beauty in the winter.
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LaSalle Canyon, Lasalle Canyon, Deer Park Township, IL 61348, USA
One of the most picturesque places in the Midwest becomes even more perfect in the winter. The bluffs and canyons have long been a draw to Starved Rock State Park; outdoor enthusiasts can hike along 13 miles of trails that are open year-round allowing them to experience the changes in landscape throughout the year. But if you're willing to bundle up and brave the cold, winter treks in Starved Rock can lead to otherworldly discoveries, like waterfalls suspended in ice. And we're not talking small falls, either; here you will find numbers incredible cascades, ranging in height from 15 to 80 feet, in different canyons around the park. Follow the trail to take in the view from behind the falls, looking out through what would normally be a curtain of flowing water.
Tahquamenon Falls, McMillan Township, MI 49768, USA
Up in Michigan, Tahquamenon Falls has long attracted waterfall chasers and adventure seekers. One of the most visually stunning falls in the country, the signature brown running through these falls comes from tannins absorbed from cedar and hemlock swamps. While this chemical reaction can cloud the falls in the summer, during the winter months, the tannins infuse the frozen falls with a delightful -- and unexpected -- pop of color. There are many, many frozen falls in Michigan, but Tahquamenon is the most accessible -- and captivating!
Brandywine Falls, Sagamore Hills Township, OH 44067, USA
Nestled within Ohio's only national park, Brandywine Falls is a vision. This breathtaking 65-foot waterfall gushes from Brandywine Creek, and the falls are arguably the most popular feature of the park. But what some don't realize, is that in the throes of winter in Ohio, Brandywine Falls transforms into something even more extraordinary. Seeing these frozen falls firsthand is the most amazing reward for hitting the trails in the coldest months of the year; we promise, you'll be so spellbound by this spectacular scene, that you will forget all about the frigid temperatures.
Cumberland Falls, Kentucky, USA
The most popular waterfall in Kentucky is often forgotten once the mercury drops, which is a shame, because there's little more beautiful in the Bluegrass than the frozen Cumberland Falls. This is a bold claim, as Cumberland Falls is the site of one of the only moonbows on the planet -- but seeing these falls frozen is wholly, completely wondrous. The Niagara of the South is absolutely marvelous in the winter, when its waters freeze mid-fall. Come and experience Cumberland Falls in the coldest months of the year, and prepare to be totally dazzled.
9200 Old Dominion Dr, McLean, VA 22102, USA
On the border of Maryland and Virginia there is a place that completely transforms during the cold weather months. Great Falls Park, a scenic and rocky stretch of the Potomac, twists and turns for 800 amazing acres; when the temperatures dip below freezing, its small cascades and rushing rapids become still as statues, surrounded by glittering gray granite and snow-dusted greenery. You'd never know this magical scene was mere minutes from our nation's capital, so glorious is this winter wonderland. Great Falls Park is a hotspot for hiking, rock climbing, snowshoeing, and other epic outdoor adventures; and if you visit during the winter, you're sure to fall hard for this beautiful park.
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Winding Stair Gap, North Carolina 28734, USA
Most people would be content to admire Winding Stair Gap's winter transformation -- from a tumbling waterfall to a solid sheet of thick, foreboding ice -- from afar. But for the adrenaline-chasing thrill-seekers, this frozen fall is an epic challenge. The imposing cascades at Winding Stair Gap in Franklin turn into something wholly wild and wondrous each winter, and if you're lucky enough to hike here while someone is scaling this ice sheet, you'll be treated to another mesmerizing cold-weather display.
Niagara Falls, NY, USA
Niagara Falls attracts some 30 million visitors each year, but in winter, the crowds disperse. Draining Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, the falls -- technically a set of three cascades -- are one of the most powerful on the continent, with six million cubic feet of water flowing every minute. These falls rarely truly freeze, but when temperatures plummet, you'll still be treated to a spectacular show. For the most part, there’s still water flowing underneath the frozen surface, but Niagara Falls really does give the appearance of being fully frosted over, which given its massive size, makes for a magical winter spectacle sure to drop your jaw.
Ausable Chasm, NY 12911, USA
Ausable Chasm Falls, the "Little Grand Canyon of the East," is one of the most amazing waterfalls in New York. It's also one of the oldest natural attractions in America, drawing visitors since 1870. There are some wonderful paid tours you can take that involve hiking or rafting; but really, there's nothing better than viewing these falls on foot, during the height of winter. The view from the bridge is one of the best you can get, and won't cost you a dime. Be sure to bring your hiking boots and camera to witness one of the most wondrous frozen fantasies in the country!
Thunderbird Falls Trail, Anchorage, AK 99567, USA
We'd be remiss to not include at least one Alaska waterfall in this list, as the Last Frontier is the very definition of a winter wonderland. In Anchorage, Thunderbird Falls commands attention, and it's truly one of the country's most wondrous waterfalls. In the dead of winter, Thunderbird Falls is at its most stunning, its waters a striking cobalt blue against a startling white landscape, complete with a waterfall rushing beneath a thick wall of ice. The hike to Thunderbird Falls is also incredibly picturesque (and accessible), making this a must-visit experience for your Alaska bucket list.
Winter goes by in a blink of an eye, and while it’s all too easy to hibernate until spring, if you do, you’ll be missing out on some of the most extraordinary — and fleeting — natural phenomena in the country. So whether you opt to go chasing some of the country’s most marvelous frozen waterfalls, visit a commanding ice cave, or revel in one of the country’s real-life winter wonderlands, bundle up and set forth on a wondrous winter adventure this season.
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