Waterfall Destinations You Need to See to Believe
10-31-2017
Author: in The Road Less Traveled
The call of the open road—many RVers hear it—the desire to see what else is out there. North America is a very large area with an abundance of different types of landscapes so there's something interesting to see nearly everywhere you go. There are several things that inspire RVers to travel the U.S. and visiting the many magnificent waterfalls is among them. With the majestic roaring of water cascading over rocks, there are certain natural formations that just seem to linger with visitors. Of course, everyone is aware of Niagara Falls, so this is a list of some of the other fabulous falls found throughout the country.
Amicalola Falls, Georgia
The tallest waterfall in Georgia at over 720-feet is Amicalola Falls, located in Amicalola State Park near Tallulah Falls, GA. This is the tallest cascading waterfall in the Southeast in one of the most popular parks in the state. There are several trails that lead to the falls, one is an 8.5-mile trek that takes hikers to the southern end of the Appalachian Trail. Several shorter jaunts to the falls are a little more family-friendly. The park has a campground for RVers with cabins and a mountain-top lodge, as well.
Bridalveil Falls, California
Besides Niagara, Bridalveil Falls is perhaps one of the most recognizable waterfall due in part to its inclusion in many of the most famous paintings of Yosemite Valley. It's situated across from the rock formation called El Capitan at the entrance of the valley. The trail to the falls is usable by most people during much of the year. In spring and early summer, though, the water flow is so strong that much of the trail is inaccessible.
Cumberland Falls, Kentucky
Located in Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Cumberland Falls is the largest waterfall south of the Niagara. The impressive cascade is 125-feet wide and drops into a rocky gorge. The park offers canoeing, fishing, swimming, and white-water rafting on the river, as well as biking, hiking, and horseback riding. There's also a well-kept campground with accommodations for RVs, as well as tents with a restaurant and lodge for convenience. What makes this destination particularly unique, however, is the lunar rainbow (referred to as a moonbow) that appears on clear nights with a full moon. This amazing phenomenon is found nowhere else in the Western Hemisphere.
Palouse Falls, Washington
If the Pacific Northwest is one of your preferred locations, Palouse Falls State Park should make it onto your bucket list. This rugged area with a unique history and geology features Palouse Falls. This waterfall has been allowed to exist completely free from human interference. It pours from a height of 198-feet, and the strongest flow happens during spring and early summer. The 105-acre park permits camping and offers the regular amenities like public restrooms, picnic areas, and a hiking trail.
Shoshone Falls, Idaho
Located on Snake River at the edge of Twin Falls, Idaho, Shoshone Falls is lovingly referred to as the “Niagara of the West.” In fact, at 212-feet, it's actually 36-feet taller than its famous east coast namesake. Depending on the time of the year, the flow of the water varies widely. During the spring and early summer months, for example, it manifests as a 900-foot wide solid wall of water. Other times of the year, it's a mere trickle.
For a low "per vehicle cost," the area also offers a variety of fun activities that include boating, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and swimming in the Snake River, as well as hiking and picnicking. There's even a playground.
In Conclusion
There are lots of reasons to take a road-trip—although most RVers don't even actually need a reason—and visiting a few of the many waterfalls found throughout the country is just one of them. Generally, most falls are stronger and more impressive during the spring and summer due to heavier rains and the melting snow farther upriver, so it's wise to plan your trip accordingly. However, if solitude is what you prefer, checking out these destinations off-season will result in a much quieter visit. Whatever your reason, and whatever your choice, make sure you're following you
Amicalola Falls, Georgia
The tallest waterfall in Georgia at over 720-feet is Amicalola Falls, located in Amicalola State Park near Tallulah Falls, GA. This is the tallest cascading waterfall in the Southeast in one of the most popular parks in the state. There are several trails that lead to the falls, one is an 8.5-mile trek that takes hikers to the southern end of the Appalachian Trail. Several shorter jaunts to the falls are a little more family-friendly. The park has a campground for RVers with cabins and a mountain-top lodge, as well.
Bridalveil Falls, California
Besides Niagara, Bridalveil Falls is perhaps one of the most recognizable waterfall due in part to its inclusion in many of the most famous paintings of Yosemite Valley. It's situated across from the rock formation called El Capitan at the entrance of the valley. The trail to the falls is usable by most people during much of the year. In spring and early summer, though, the water flow is so strong that much of the trail is inaccessible.
Cumberland Falls, Kentucky
Located in Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Cumberland Falls is the largest waterfall south of the Niagara. The impressive cascade is 125-feet wide and drops into a rocky gorge. The park offers canoeing, fishing, swimming, and white-water rafting on the river, as well as biking, hiking, and horseback riding. There's also a well-kept campground with accommodations for RVs, as well as tents with a restaurant and lodge for convenience. What makes this destination particularly unique, however, is the lunar rainbow (referred to as a moonbow) that appears on clear nights with a full moon. This amazing phenomenon is found nowhere else in the Western Hemisphere.
Palouse Falls, Washington
If the Pacific Northwest is one of your preferred locations, Palouse Falls State Park should make it onto your bucket list. This rugged area with a unique history and geology features Palouse Falls. This waterfall has been allowed to exist completely free from human interference. It pours from a height of 198-feet, and the strongest flow happens during spring and early summer. The 105-acre park permits camping and offers the regular amenities like public restrooms, picnic areas, and a hiking trail.
Shoshone Falls, Idaho
Located on Snake River at the edge of Twin Falls, Idaho, Shoshone Falls is lovingly referred to as the “Niagara of the West.” In fact, at 212-feet, it's actually 36-feet taller than its famous east coast namesake. Depending on the time of the year, the flow of the water varies widely. During the spring and early summer months, for example, it manifests as a 900-foot wide solid wall of water. Other times of the year, it's a mere trickle.
For a low "per vehicle cost," the area also offers a variety of fun activities that include boating, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and swimming in the Snake River, as well as hiking and picnicking. There's even a playground.
In Conclusion
There are lots of reasons to take a road-trip—although most RVers don't even actually need a reason—and visiting a few of the many waterfalls found throughout the country is just one of them. Generally, most falls are stronger and more impressive during the spring and summer due to heavier rains and the melting snow farther upriver, so it's wise to plan your trip accordingly. However, if solitude is what you prefer, checking out these destinations off-season will result in a much quieter visit. Whatever your reason, and whatever your choice, make sure you're following you
Comment
No comments found! Be the first one to write a comment!
Author: Carrie Todd
