Why waterfalls are more dangerous than they look
Waterfalls combine three things that each cause accidents on their own: height, water and wet rock. Park services in North Carolina, Oregon, New York and elsewhere report falls and drownings at waterfalls every year, and the pattern repeats: a visitor leaves the trail to get a better view, a closer photo or a swim, and loses footing where the rock is wet.
None of the habits below will spoil a visit. They are what experienced hikers already do without thinking.
The main hazards
- Wet and algae-covered rock. Rock near a fall is kept permanently damp by spray and grows a thin film of algae that is as slippery as ice. Dry-looking rock can be just as slick. Most serious injuries start with a slip.
- The top of the fall. The lip of a waterfall is the most dangerous place near it. Current speeds up as it approaches the drop, and the rock is smooth. Never wade or stand in the stream above a fall.
- Climbing beside the drop. Scrambling up or down next to a fall is how many rescues begin. Rock is loose, wet and steeper than it looks from below.
- Plunge pools. Water falling into a pool can form a recirculating current that holds a swimmer under. Pools are often colder and deeper than they appear, and hidden rocks and logs are common.
- Sudden high water. Rain upstream, sometimes miles away and out of sight, can raise a creek fast. In narrow canyons this becomes a flash flood. A dam release above a fall can do the same.
- Cold water. Mountain streams are cold even in summer. Cold shock takes the breath away and weakens swimmers within minutes.
Habits that keep you safe
- Stay on the trail and behind barriers. Barriers are placed where people have already fallen.
- Keep children within arm's reach near edges and water.
- Wear shoes with real grip, and slow down on any rock that is, or might be, wet.
- Never go into the stream above a waterfall, however shallow it looks.
- Swim only where swimming is allowed, never alone, and never under the falling water.
- Check the forecast for the whole watershed, not only where you stand. Leave if the water rises or turns muddy.
- Tell someone where you are going. Gorges with waterfalls often have no phone signal.
Photos and drones
Many waterfall accidents happen while someone is taking a photo, stepping backwards or leaning out for a better angle. Choose your spot before you raise the camera, and keep both feet on dry, level ground. A good waterfall photo is almost always taken from the trail anyway. See our photography tips.
Drones are banned in national parks and restricted in many state parks. Check the rules for the specific site.
Closures and conditions
Land managers close trails after storms, landslides and fires, and restrict access at some falls during high water. The map on this site shows where falls are, not whether they are open. Before you go, look up the managing agency, usually a state park, national forest or national park, and check its alerts page.
In an emergency call 911. Note the name of the waterfall and the trail; it helps rescuers find you faster than a description of the scenery.