Compare 23 Alaska waterfall visits by the approach, terrain, and where to start. Some routes have closures or unresolved details; read the individual guide before travelling.
23 visit options
Falls trail verified; full arrival approach not verified
Alaska
1.2 miles one-way on Falls Trail
Arrivals at Brooks Camp must attend the bear-safety talk. The Falls Trail leads through forest to raised platforms; rangers manage the falls platform capacity.
Official parking map and full trail approach verified
Alaska
2 miles return
From the mapped visitor-area parking on Glacier Spur Road, follow the paved path toward the visitor center and Photo Point. Take the signed trail to the right just beyond the visitor center, through the rock gorge on an elevated pathway, then follow the lake-edge trail to Nugget Falls. Return on the same route.
Source-reviewed route and parking
Alaska
About 4 miles round trip from the trailhead
After arriving in Port Alsworth, obtain the Tanalian trail map at the NPS visitor center. Use the mapped town approach to the Falls and Lake Trailhead near the southern airstrip, then follow Falls and Lake Trail to Tanalian Falls. Return by the same route; the Beaver Pond trail is an optional alternative, not included in this distance.
Alaska
2 miles round trip
From the signed trailhead, follow the Thunder Bird Falls Trail through birch forest to the boardwalk and viewing areas above Eklutna Canyon.
Route documented; current neighborhood access unconfirmed
Alaska
About 0.5 mile return
Short forest walk to Virgin Creek Falls; neighborhood parking and access arrangements need current confirmation.
Source-reviewed route and parking
Alaska
East Glacier loop is 3.5 miles; AJ spur adds an unmeasured short detour
Start at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center and follow the East Glacier Trail to the AJ Falls spur. Conservation Volunteers International documented walking from this parking area with a USFS crew and improving the named spur in June 2024. Follow the established spur to the waterfall and return to the loop.
Location map; no photo available.
Final side-trail condition unconfirmed
Alaska
Under 2 miles round trip in a 2018 firsthand account
Bear Mountain Waterfall is reached from the Herring Cove trail system. Local naturalist Matt Goff describes leaving the main route on an unofficial side trail to its base; this is distinct from the small cascade near the first bridge.
Location map; no photo available.
Alaska
Falls-specific distance unknown
From the end of Basin Road, follow Perseverance Trail to its Ebner Falls overlook. Remain on the established trail above Gold Creek; the steep descent to the waterfall base is not part of this route.
Location map; no photo available.
Parking and approach documented by borough and guidebook author; rough-road access and distances depend on start
Alaska
8.3 miles return in Lisa Maloney’s 2019 guide
Follow the brown hiker signs along Jonesville Mine Road to the rough upper parking area described by Lisa Maloney. Her 2019 route walks roughly 1,000 feet farther along the rough road to a signed left-hand cul-de-sac and footpath. Follow the hiking trail, turn right at the T junction she places about 2.75 miles from the trailhead, then continue ahead at the next junction into the valley toward the falls. Use the current borough map for navigation.
Location map; no photo available.
River access documented; walking approach unconfirmed
Alaska
No parking-to-waterfall walk documented
Golden Gate Falls is a remote rapid on the Kisaralik River, also called the lower falls by local outfitter Papa Bear Adventures. BLM documents fly-in river trips beginning at Kisaralik Lake. No roadside visit or walking trail is established by the reviewed sources.
Location map; no photo available.
Researched walking route
Alaska
About 9 miles return
Long valley walk to a view of Heritage Falls across Eagle River.
Location map; no photo available.
Alaska
4.5 miles one-way
Follow Indian River through old-growth forest to the waterfall area and return on the same trail.
Location map; no photo available.
Approach or parking partly unconfirmed
Alaska
Historically about 7.5 miles round trip; current detours not established.
Lisa Maloney’s 2022 firsthand guide describes a right-hand spur about 3.9 miles along Resurrection Pass Trail, just before the Juneau Creek bridge. Current DOT pages describe unfinished highway works and a future trailhead. Confirm the current pedestrian route before relying on these older directions.
Location map; no photo available.
Walking approach and starting point unconfirmed
Alaska
No verified walking route
World Waterfall Database locates Kvasnikoff Falls in southwestern Kenai Fjords National Park and describes an undeveloped setting. It reports that a complete view requires aircraft. Its suggestion of partial visibility from North Arm watercraft is tentative and is not treated here as confirmed access.
Location map; no photo available.
Parking and forest approach documented; short-walk distance unknown
Alaska
Short forest walk; distance from parking unknown
From the Gold Rush Cemetery parking area, walk into the cemetery and follow the short forest trail behind it to Lower Reid Falls. Return on the same route.
Location map; no photo available.
Source-reviewed route and parking
Alaska
Roadside viewing stop; no hike distance asserted
View Pitchfork Falls from the highway pull-out identified by Alaska.org at mile 7.6 of the Klondike Highway. This is a distant view of the waterfall below Goat Lake, not a walking route to its base.
Location map; no photo available.
Route and parking researched
Alaska
0.8 miles one-way
Climb through hemlock forest to Rainbow Falls; return rather than continuing onto Institute Creek Trail.
Location map; no photo available.
Alaska
About 4–4.6 miles round trip
Follow Russian Lakes Trail from the Russian River Campground access road to the viewing decks above the falls.
Location map; no photo available.
Reserved-hut view; public exterior view unconfirmed
Alaska
About 24 miles round trip to the hut
Alaska.org documents waterfall views from inside Serenity Falls Hut, which requires a reservation. Do not assume day hikers may enter the hut. A public exterior viewing location has not been confirmed. The state gives the approach via Eklutna Lakeside Trail: past Kanchee Campground, stay before the large Eklutna River bridge and follow the signed uphill trail a few hundred yards to the hut.
Location map; no photo available.
Tourism source documents parking and approach
Alaska
1.3 miles return
Visit Anchorage documents the South Fork Falls walk from the small parking area at the bottom of Ken Logan Circle. Its route crosses the South Fork Eagle River bridge and turns left toward the falls. Stay on designated paths through this area of private property.
Location map; no photo available.
Partial guide: marine trail approach documented; departure parking and current conditions unverified
Alaska
Exact falls-view return distance unverified
Friends of Kachemak Bay documents marine access at Tutka Lake Trailhead. The trail climbs past the Sea Star Cove Cabin junction, follows Tutka Lake, passes the hatchery junction and continues high above Tutka Creek to waterfalls near its end. Ashore Water Taxi describes overlooks above steep drops. Mainland parking and a current boat landing arrangement remain unverified.
Location map; no photo available.
Partial: expedition access only; exact drop and portage unresolved
Alaska
No parking-to-waterfall walking distance established.
Alaska DNR identifies Upper Falls as two drops on the Kisaralik River. A local outfitter describes reaching this stretch on a fly-in float trip beginning at Kisaralik Lake. Its account describes a river-right portage trail around the second drop. This is not a complete navigational itinerary: the historical DNR account describes a different portage bank, and American Whitewater documents a fatal accident at these falls in 2024. Obtain current river-specific guidance from an experienced local outfitter; this guide does not recommend running the drops.
Location map; no photo available.
Final waterfall approach needs confirmation
Alaska
6.9 miles round trip from the trailhead in the city tourism map
Follow the Dewey Lakes trail system north from Lower Dewey Lake toward Icy Lake. The city tourism maps describe the west shore of Icy Lake and a left turn at its north end. NPS instead describes an uphill northwest turn at the south end. These descriptions conflict; confirm the final signed route with local staff before setting out.
Location map; no photo available.