The Jaw-Dropping Road Trip That Leads To 9 Of The Country's Most Impressive Waterfalls

While most people think of the West Coast, or even Hawaii, when asked to name waterfalls in America, the eastern United States is home to some truly captivating cascades as well. Are you ready for an epic adventure to see some of the most beautiful waterfalls east of the Mississippi River? We’ll travel from the shores of Lake Superior in Minnesota, wind around each of the Great Lakes to Michigan and New York to plummet like a roaring waterfall down into Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. Our 2,274-mile road trip will thrill us with numerous stages through national forests and scenic areas so profound you may never want to stop exploring. Let’s get started on our ultimate Eastern US waterfalls road trip!

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Grand Portage State Park, 9393 E MN-61, Grand Portage, MN 55605, USA

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We start out at Grand Portage State Park and the highest waterfall in Minnesota - High Falls. The area is so incredibly beautiful with rushing rapids along the Pigeon River. If you love to kayak, it is definitely worth taking some extra time here for a little river adventure.

The hike to High Falls itself isn't too long, only about a mile round trip, but it is moderately difficult so it might take about an hour and a half round trip. When the trail opens up to this grand waterfall, all the effort slides away and you can bask in the stunning beauty of this 120-foot cascade as it plummets into a rocky gorge. If you are feeling particularly adventurous, cliff jumping is popular from some of the ledges around the falls.

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Tahquamenon Falls, McMillan Township, MI 49768, USA

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This next segment of our drive is absolutely beautiful with amazing views of Lake Superior and a trek through the Ottawa National Forest midway through our drive, and the Hiawatha National Forest closer to our next stop - Tahquamenon Falls. With so many lovely areas to hike and explore along the way, feel free to take some time to stretch your legs with a few scenic overlooks now and then.

When we reach Tahquamenon Falls, the most epic sought-after hike, River Trail, takes us between the Upper and Lower Falls. It is a four-mile out-and-back hike that will take 2-3 hours depending on how much time you take to explore. Despite being a moderately difficult trail (lots of roots and stairs), it is incredibly worth the trip.

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Niagara Falls, NY, USA

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Oh, Niagara Falls how we love you so. Perhaps the most well-known waterfall in the United States, and deservedly so, it is a truly impressive sight to behold in person. The drive to get here from Michigan's Upper Peninsula is quite interesting as well, as you'll pass by all five Great Lakes. Early in this segment, you'll pass Mackinaw Island between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron (definitely worth a side trip if you have the time), down into the heart of Michigan, and jut over between Lake Huron and Lake Erie to ride the coast of Lake Ontario to get to Niagara Falls. Of all the East Coast waterfalls, this Niagara Falls should be at the top anyone's bucket list.

We're sure you've seen plenty of photos of Niagara Falls and heard some interesting stories of floating barrels and death-defying motorcycle stunts, but until you stand before this epic waterfall, hear the roar, and feel the spray, you really haven't gotten the full effect. To really get up close and personal, you might want to try the Maid of the Mist boat tour; it's called that for a very good reason - you will get wet, but the experience is like none other.

Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA

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Let's row our four-wheeled boat (that's our car since boats don't have four wheels) down from New York along the southern shores of Lake Erie past Cleveland and down to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. This charming mid-sized town is hiding a series of lovely waterfalls along the Cuyahoga River in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It is a wonderful area to do some camping and of course, enjoy plenty of waterfall hikes. A few of the must-see waterfalls in the area are Blue Hen Falls (shown above), Brandywine Falls, and Buttermilk Falls. Each has its own unique features, but all of them are an inspiring peek at the beautiful natural wonders Ohio has to offer.

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Cathedral Falls, Gauley Bridge, WV 25085, USA

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On our way to Gauley Bridge, WV, and Cathedral Falls, we will pass through the beautiful Wayne National Forest. It's easy to get distracted by the fun hikes that will whisper in your ear along the way, but let's keep our destination firmly set in our minds because the 60-foot waterfall that awaits is both easy to get to and quite beautiful. There is no need to hike to this waterfall but that doesn't mean it should be skipped. It feels like a hidden oasis with moss-covered rocks and the gentle flow of the falls; in fact, why not bring a little picnic and enjoy a break from the drive as you enjoy the sights and sounds of Cathedral Falls?

Cumberland Falls, Kentucky 42634, USA

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Cumberland Falls, yet another of the most extraordinary Eastern US waterfalls, is our next stop and this beautiful waterfall is often referred to as Little Niagara. Aside from Niagara Falls, it is the largest waterfall by volume in the Eastern United States. Spend a day or two camping in this beautiful area of Kentucky or treat yourself to a cozy Kentucky cabin. And if you want to give your tired car-riding bum a new kind of bounce, look into some of the scenic horse rides through Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. Other fun activities in the park include hiking to the 1937 Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower and mining for gems at the Cumberland Falls Mining Company by the falls gift shop.

Mingo Falls, North Carolina 28719, USA

Timothy Wildey/Flickr

On the last leg of our journey, we will get hot and heavy with a relatively short jaunt to our last few waterfall destinations. Mingo Falls is a really cool 120-foot waterfall that cascades over a long series of rocky drops. It is located on the Cherokee Indian Reservation in Swain County, North Carolina in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. It is only a short 0.4-mile hike to the falls, but you'll have to work for it a bit as there are 161 steps to get to the scenic wooden viewing bridge. When you finally stand upon the bridge and gaze out over the surrounding area, it is a truly soul-purifying feeling.

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Toccoa Falls, GA 30577, USA

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From Mingo to Toccoa Falls, it is a pretty short jaunt. As you cross from North Carolina into Georgia, you pass from the Nantahala National Forest into the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Toccoa Falls is a very impressive 186-foot free-falling waterfall - the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi River. It is actually located on the Toccoa Falls College campus, so there is a small per-person entry fee to see the falls. You can get entry at the historic Gate Cottage. Viewing is restricted to 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 4 p.m. on weekends.

Ruby Falls, Chattanooga, TN 37409, USA

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We have something really special for our last waterfall stop on one of the most scenic road trips on the East Coast - a stunning underground waterfall in Tennessee! It is actually a series of waterfalls tumbling together over 145 feet in Ruby Falls Cave hidden within Lookout Mountain. The Ruby Falls Cave Walk is a paid tour that can get a bit pricey for large families at around $25 for adults and $14 for children, but you will get to experience the tallest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States.

Alas, our itinerary is complete, but the fun part is about to begin. Pack your bags, cram that car full of gear, and head out on a waterfall road trip adventure of a lifetime.

If you’ve seen a few of these waterfalls already, let us know which one is your favorite with a comment. Be sure to share any cool hikes you’ve discovered along the way. And if there are any impressive waterfalls near you, feel free to brag a little so we can come to visit. If you want to embark on a waterfall hike, download the AllTrails+ app to find a trail near you.