There are countless Alaska waterfalls, but very few easily accessible ones. This two-tiered waterfall in Juneau, Alaska at the end of a stunning hike is well worth the time it takes to trek out there. Prepare to be stunned when you come face to face with one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Alaska at Nugget Falls.
Nugget Falls is a two-tiered waterfall located in Juneau, Alaska.
It is also commonly referred to as "Nugget Creek Falls," or "Mendenhall Glacier Falls." The waterfall is fed by Nugget Creek, runoff from Nugget Glacier. It also lands in Mendenhall Lake, which is a pool of freshwater fed by the gorgeous Mendenhall Glacier!
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This waterfall is extra special, knowing that it starts and ends with glaciers.
With more than 100,000 glaciers in Alaska, this phenomena shouldn't be that rare. But it is rare to see it in such a spectacular setting! Mendenhall Glacier sits in perfect view of the falls.
The first drop, or first tier, is 99 feet tall. The second tier is a 278-foot drop! The water lands on a lush sandbar at the bottom, allowing visitors to get up close and personal with this awe-inspiring view.
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The waterfall is a relatively easy hike that begins at the Mendenhall Visitor's Center.
The trail is just two miles long round trip. Even though the trail is popular and heavily trafficked, you will probably still see wildlife. Many times park rangers will stop visitors to allow for bears and their cubs to pass by the trail. Make sure you scan the area nearby because plenty of people will see animals on the mountainside, as well!
The trail is a mostly flat trail, with very little elevation gain.
It is also primarily paved, so those with mobility difficulties will still be able to make it out to see these stunning falls. The trail is beautiful and skirts the edge of Mendenhall Lake.
You can expect to see a lot of Alaska's wildflowers on the sides of the trail.
Lupine, fireweed, and other gorgeous Alaskan flowers will be on full display for you, primarily from June through August. Juneau's weather is more temperate than other parts of Alaska so you may have the opportunity to see more than you would elsewhere!
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If you can, try to time your hike during the non-peak hours.
The hike can be flooded with people when the cruise ships arrive in port. Heading there early morning or evening will allow you to have a slightly more peaceful walk. And if you're traveling there in the summer, you won't have to worry about it being light out, as Juneau enjoys a gorgeous 18 hours of daylight.
The trail is even open in the winter, and just as worthy of a visit.
While many people recommend walking the trail in April through September, the falls as just as gorgeous in the frozen wintertime. Pack your snow boots or snowshoes and enjoy a hike out to the frozen falls.
If you're in Juneau, Nugget Falls Trail should definitely make your to-do list.
There's a bus line that runs close to the visitor center, and it's a short drive from downtown Juneau. It's the perfect way to spend the afternoon!
Check out the hike to Nugget Falls and the Mendenhall Glacier in this video from The Karacsonyi Family:
There are so many areas of Alaska that are simply breathtaking. And standing beneath this epic waterfall is definitely an experience of a lifetime. You can find out more about the Nugget Falls Trail in our featured article. Have you had the opportunity to get out to Juneau and hike this magnificent trail? What did you think of the two-tiered waterfall at the end? Let us know in the comments section!
If you’re spending some time in Juneau, try out this beloved fish shack in Alaska that brings the sea straight to your plate!
Alaska's rugged beauty is known for its vast landscapes and hidden wonders. Among these treasures is Juneau Falls, a charming waterfall tucked away along the Resurrection Pass Trail on the Kenai Peninsula. This moderately challenging waterfall trail in Alaska offers a mix of dense forests, open meadows, and stunning mountain vistas, culminating in the serene and picturesque Juneau Falls. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a nature enthusiast, this trail promises an unforgettable adventure through some of Alaska's most captivating scenery.
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Alaska's vast wilderness is filled with awe-inspiring landscapes, and hidden within this rugged beauty on the Kenai Peninsula lies a trail that leads to a charming, tiny waterfall.
The Juneau Falls along the Resurrection Pass Trail offers a wonderful experience for nature lovers, showcasing the serene beauty of a lesser-known yet captivating waterfall.
As you hike along the Resurrection Pass Trail, the sound of rushing water grows steadily louder, building anticipation for the sight ahead.
Upon reaching Juneau Falls, you’ll be greeted by the stunning view of water cascading down a rocky cliff, creating a peaceful and mesmerizing scene. The waterfall drops around 40 feet, creating a misty spray that cools the air and adds to the enchanting atmosphere.
The hike to Juneau Falls is approximately 5.1 miles round trip from the trailhead.
The trail is well-maintained and offers a moderately challenging hike for hikers with some experience. The path winds through beautiful Alaskan scenery, including dense forests, open meadows, and stunning mountain vistas.
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Juneau Falls is best visited during the summer months, from June to September, when the weather is milder and the trail is most accessible.
During this time, the lush greenery and blooming wildflowers add to the trail’s beauty, creating a picturesque backdrop for your hike. Additionally, the longer daylight hours of the Alaskan summer provide ample time to explore and enjoy the surroundings.
As you hike along the Resurrection Pass Trail, you will encounter diverse flora and fauna.
The trail is lined with vibrant wildflowers, including lupines, fireweed, and forget-me-nots, adding bursts of color to the lush greenery. Towering spruce and birch trees provide a cool, shaded canopy, while patches of tundra plants add to the diverse botanical landscape. Wildlife enthusiasts may spot moose grazing in the meadows, black bears foraging in the forest, and a variety of bird species, such as bald eagles, ravens, and songbirds.
The Resurrection Pass Trail, which leads to Juneau Falls, is located near the town of Cooper Landing, Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula.
Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor to the Kenai Peninsula, this trail is the perfect escape. Pack your hiking boots, bring your camera, and prepare to fall in love with the tiny waterfall hiding along this breathtaking trail.
Have you ever hiked this waterfall trail in Alaska? Let us know in the comments below! Don't forget to swing by REI to upgrade your hiking boots.
Practically all of Alaska is a natural wonder, if you ask us, and compiling a list of bucket-list attractions within The Last Frontier is certainly not an easy task. Our state is teeming with beauty, whether you love the epic scenery of our mountain ranges or our countless miles of hiking trails. One thing that pretty much any nature lover can agree on is that there are some remarkably stunning Alaskan waterfalls. Next time you find yourself Googling "waterfalls near me," here are a few that you might want to check out.
First off, a caveat: there are dozens of named waterfalls in Alaska, but some of the very tallest cascades are not easily reachable. In this section, we've done our best to pick out some of the more towering waterfalls that can still be reached (or at least seen) by a typical hiker. If you're looking to find the biggest waterfalls in Alaska, here are some of the best:
Need To Know Ebner Falls can be seen from the Perserverance Trail.
The Perserverance Trail is an easy-to-moderate hike in Juneau that is perfect for waterfall lovers, as you'll actually get to see two cascades on the trail. This place also has quite a bit of history: it was the very first road built in Alaska, and was home to a railroad that went up to Perserverance Mine. The trail is great for both hikers and mountain bikers, and the view of Ebner Falls is quite lovely. The stunning falls are about 150 feet or so, falling in two sections. It's also a great spot for a picnic!
Need To Know Nugget Falls is also known as Mendenhall Glacier Falls.
One of the great things about Alaska's remote and rugged landscape is that "Alaska popular" doesn't mean anywhere near the crowds you'll find at popular destinations in the lower 48. Nugget Falls is a two-tiered waterfall fed by Nugget Creek. It drops an impressive 377 feet in total and is interesting because it is both fed by runoff from a glacier (Nugget Glacier feeds into Nugget Creek) and lands in Mendenhall Lake (which is fed by the Mendenhall Glacier). The falls can be reached by an easy hike that includes plenty of wildlife.
Need To Know You can't actually directly reach the falls themselves, but there's a convenient parking area where you can view the falls just off the highway if you're driving through Keystone Canyon.
Bridal Veil Falls is perhaps most famous for the ice-climbing festival that's held here each winter when the falls freeze over. It's magnificent sight at any time of year, and it's no surprise it made CNN's list of the Best Waterfalls in America. Valdez is a small town right on Prince William Sound, but it's certainly worth a visit to catch a glimpse of this towering natural wonder.
Need To Know The falls are named for the gold miners that once used pitchforks to seek gold in the nearby creek.
Pitchfork Falls towers over 100 feet above the surrounding landscape. This is a powerful waterfall that you can hear roaring from miles away. The falls are deep in the heart of the Alaskan wilderness, and the pristine surroundings only add to their mesmerizing beauty.
Best Waterfall Hikes In Alaska
Hiking, especially out here in Alaska, can be pretty tough. The terrain is difficult, and it's certainly not for everyone! However, even the most ardent of couch potatoes has to admit there's something about a waterfall hike that leaves you completely satisfied and feeling like all of the effort was worth it. If you're looking to check out some of the best waterfall trails in Alaska, make sure to visit our friends at AllTrails for photos and trail maps, plus reviews of some of the state's most popular hikes.
Need To Know This one's also known as South Fork Eagle River Falls and Barbara Falls.
While many of us prefer to check out Alaska's waterfalls in the spring and summer, when the snowmelt has the flow at its most powerful, the stunning South Fork Falls is one of our favorite winter hikes in Alaska. Located just north of Anchorage, this beautiful cascade is reached by an easy .7-mile hike that's got very little elevation gain and is perfect for the whole family. The falls measure about 60 feet in height.
Need To Know The trail has quite a few stairs and the area can get muddy.
The Rainbow Falls Trail is a magnificent 1.4-mile out-and-back trail through a scenic rain forest that boasts amazing waterfall views. Does it get much better than that?! Note that due to the steep elevation gain, this is considered a moderately challenging hike. You can learn more about the Rainbow Falls Trail at AllTrails.
Need To Know There are a few rocks you have to navigate around, but overall, this is a fairly easy trail that's very wide and filled with gravel.
Looking for a fairly trail that the entire family can enjoy? The Russian River Falls Trail is a bit long at 4.7 miles, but it's got very little elevation gain and takes you to a beautiful observation platform that overlooks the stunning falls. Visit during the summertime and you might see salmon or even brown bears out hunting, but this is a gorgeous trail to enjoy at any time of year. There's a small parking lot off the access road to the Russian River Campground on Sterling Highway - park there and you'll be at the trailhead.
Need To Know This is a pretty tough trail, so don't head out unless you're an experienced hiker!
The Cedar Falls Trail is pretty rigorous, but it's a beautiful hike that's definitely worth the effort. The entire seven-mile-long round trip trail will take you all the way to Swan Lake. Cedar Falls is one of the state's most stunning waterfalls, especially after heavy rains, when the flow is intense. This is one that's worth taking a road trip for if you love hiking!
Accessible Waterfalls In Alaska
We love a good long trek through the woods, but we realize it's not for everyone. Some of us might be out of shape, or not particularly active, and many are wheelchair users or out with little ones in strollers. Fortunately, there are some wonderful accessible waterfalls in Alaska that require little (sometimes no!) hiking. These are perfect when you're looking for an easy-breezy natural wonder that won't take all day.
Need To Know You can reach Horsetail Falls directly from the Richardson Highway. There's a small parking lot off the road where you can pull off and snap some photos at the base of the falls.
It can sometimes feel like all the natural wonders in Alaska require a bit of effort to reach them - our backcountry can be quite harsh, after all. One waterfall that definitely doesn't fit into that category is the beautiful Horsetail Falls. It's tucked away in Keystone Canyon and it's one of the most accessible waterfalls in Alaska: you can practically drive right up to it! Horsetail Falls is a 330-foot wall of powerfully-rushing water, and it's quite the sight to see in person.
Need To Know If you're looking to spot the spawning salmon, you'll want to visit in July or August. Creek Street is a great place to catch a glimpse of the fish as they make their way upstream.
The Ketchikan area is famous for its salmon, and Ketchikan Creek is the place to see them (at least in the summertime). To reach Ketchikan Creek Falls, all you have to do is walk to the end of Ketchikan Creek Road and you'll enjoy a great view of
this beautiful cascade.
Best Waterfalls Near Anchorage
As the largest city in Alaska, Anchorage has quite a few residents and visitors. While many of the tourists are attracted to the city's rich culture and man-made attractions, there's still plenty of nature to be found near the City of Lights and Flowers. Check out a few of our favorite waterfalls near Anchorage, AK:
Need To Know This is a small waterfall, but it's quite easy to access.
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McHugh Falls might not be quite as impressive as some of the larger falls on this list, but its easy access makes it worth a quick visit. The 20-foot falls are just after the entrance to Chugach State Park along the Seward Highway. While the falls themselves cannot be accessed, you can get a great look at them from a small parking area, and there's no hiking required at all.
Thunderbird Falls are also located in Chugach State Park. While there is a bit more of a hike to reach this one, it's an easy, family-friendly trail that everyone can enjoy. The level trail has very little elevation gain and is only about 1.8 miles - it's even suitable for kids. This is an absolutely beautiful trail, and the 200-foot waterfall is the crown jewel of the hike.
Wow! I don't know about you, but I'm ready to get out and explore! How many of these Alaskan waterfalls have you seen in person?
