Backcountry waterfalls

A remote, long, or permit-required trek for prepared visitors. Here are the 20 backcountry waterfalls in this guide, ranked by documented height. Always confirm current trail and road status with the managing agency before you go.

By Reese Calder, Field Guide Editor · Updated Jun 22, 2026

#	Waterfall	State	Height	Type	Access
1	Oloʻupena Falls	Hawaii	2,953 ft	Tiered	Backcountry
2	Waihilau Falls	Hawaii	2,600 ft	Horsetail	Backcountry
3	Kahiwa Falls	Hawaii	2,165 ft	Tiered	Backcountry
4	Hiʻilawe Falls	Hawaii	1,450 ft	Plunge	Backcountry
5	Mānāwaiopuna Falls (Jurassic Falls)	Hawaii	400 ft	Plunge	Backcountry
6	Manawaiopuna Falls (Jurassic Falls)	Hawaii	400 ft	Horsetail	Backcountry
7	Hanakāpīʻai Falls	Hawaii	300 ft	Plunge	Backcountry
8	Hemmed-In Hollow Falls	Arkansas	209 ft	Plunge	Backcountry
9	Hemmed-In-Hollow Falls	Arkansas	209 ft	Plunge	Backcountry
10	Virgin Falls	Tennessee	110 ft	Plunge	Backcountry
11	Ramsey Cascades	Tennessee	105 ft	Cascade	Backcountry
12	Havasu Falls	Arizona	100 ft	Plunge	Backcountry
13	Madrid Falls	Texas	100 ft	Tiered	Backcountry
14	Berry Creek Falls	California	70 ft	Cascade	Backcountry
15	Glen Onoko Falls (Onoko Main Falls)	Pennsylvania	60 ft	Cascade	Backcountry
16	Alamere Falls	California	40 ft	Tiered	Backcountry
17	Beaver Falls	Arizona	40 ft	Tiered	Backcountry
18	Twin Falls of Richland Creek	Arkansas	19 ft	Segmented	Backcountry
19	Timberline Falls	Colorado	—	Cascade	Backcountry
20	Bridal Veil Falls	Idaho	—	Horsetail	Backcountry

Prefer to browse another way? See waterfalls by state or the tallest waterfalls overall.