Though it may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Nevada, the state actually has some of the most beautiful waterfalls that you can visit.
If you love everything to do with the great outdoors, you’ll want to explore as much of it as possible.
So without further ado, here are the 10 best waterfalls in Nevada.
1. First Creek Falls
If you’re looking for a great waterfall to start with then you should absolutely visit the aptly named First Creek Falls, located in Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas.
As well as the beautiful falls, there is a hike that you can take part in to see as much of the wilderness as possible.
With stretches of greenery, wildflowers, shade trees, and the chance of seeing wildlife, you’ll enjoy every second of the hike up to First Creek Grotto.
The hike to reach the waterfall is a 4-mile trip. Other than the greenery, you’ll pass red and white cliffs and a stretch of ground that was burned in a wildfire in 2006.
A waterfall in the desert may be the last thing you expect to see, but the First Creek Falls are a lovely reward after the hike.
Nearby, you can visit Spring Mountain Ranch State Park and Calico Hills if you’d like to try some other hikes, or you can stop at the Red Rock Casino and relax at restaurants including T-Bones Chophouse, Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill, and Jing Restaurant.
2. Lost Creek Falls
With an intriguing name like Lost Creek Falls, your expectations will be high. And they will definitely be met with a visit to this lovely area.
Also located in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Lost Creek Falls is a magical little area easily reached after a short hike (just a 0.9-mile round trip).
The waterfall is usually more of a trickle, though it’ll be stronger after a period of heavy rain.
The Lost Creek Trail is good fun for all the family. You can marvel at the beautiful boardwalk and its willow thicket and then move on to the Children’s Discovery Loop Trail.
With a boulder tunnel and grotto as well, this trail is well worth the walk even if the falls are not at their fullest.
You’ll also be able to explore Lost Creek Canyon on your trip to Lost Creek Falls, as well as stop off at Summerlin (a 10-minute drive away) to enjoy further recreational activities.
There, you can go golfing, visit Angel Park, and visit Rampart Casino if you enjoy gambling.
3. Mary Jane Falls
For those with more hiking experience who love a challenge, the hike up to Vegas’ Mary Jane Falls will prove to be a rewarding trip.
You’ll hike 1.6 miles there, climbing 1,100 feet up from the starting point at the bottom of Kyle Canyon.
This trail is decorated with lots more greenery than the two previously mentioned, taking you through thick forestry with a landscape of stunning gray cliffs.
The waterfall is at its best in early spring, fed by melting snow and flowing down the cliff face.
After all that hiking and fresh air, you’ll likely be eager to get inside and relax for a bit.
You can enjoy a visit to the Spring Mountains Visitor Center, which has several exhibits and its own bookshop.
If you’re visiting Mary Jane Falls by car, take a picturesque drive afterward and stop at the Mount Charleston Scenic Byway to take some incredible photographs.
The area surrounding the Falls is a dream come true for anyone who loves outdoor adventures.
4. Big Falls
After you visit Mary Jane Falls, you should also schedule a visit to the beautiful Big Falls as both are located in the Spring Mountains and reachable via a hike from the bottom of Kyle Canyon.
As the name suggests, Big Falls is bigger, and the trail to reach it is very special.
You’ll be able to hike right along the creek bed and use a ladder that was formed of an old tree to aid your climb.
The waterfall flows down into a generous pool, surrounded by boulders.
You’ll be able to indulge in all the other explorations already mentioned near Mount Charleston, but there are also some great restaurants to enjoy.
Why not stop off at The Retreat on Charleston Peak, or the Italian eatery Dolce & Chianti for some delicious cuisine?
If you need a place to stay, The Retreat on Charleston Peak is a lodge as well as a restaurant. You’ll be able to admire the view from an elevation of 6,700 feet.
5. Little Falls
Little Falls is anything but little, tumbling down between 30 and 50 feet over multiple drops.
Though it is more secluded than the popular Mary Jane Falls, the Little Falls waterfall has a more reliable stream, even when it is covered with snow in the colder months.
The hike to Little Falls is 0.8 miles and isn’t too strenuous.
As it is more secluded, Little Falls is a great place to stop for a picnic to break up the hike.
You can also explore more of the canyon and admire Cathedral Rock, which sits just above the waterfall.
If you want to discover more of the scenery, you can take a different route back from Little Falls.
There are two main routes back: one from Echo Trailhead and another from Cathedral Rock Trailhead.
You can also check out a bonus waterfall known as ‘Medium Falls’, situated between Little Falls and Big Falls.
6. Hunter Creek Falls
With a spectacular 30-foot waterfall to see at the end, it’s no wonder that the Hunter Creek Trail near Reno is one of the most popular in Nevada.
It is a whopping 6.4-mile round hike, but well worth it to marvel at all the views on the way to Hunter Creek Falls.
The climb is around 1,000 feet, taking you along a landscape of pine trees and rocks. In summer, prepare for high heat, and in winter, prepare for a chill.
After marveling at 30 feet of rushing water and a stunning creek of boulders, you can enjoy the rest of your visit by exploring Reno.
Hunter Creek Falls is an escape from the city, but Reno is the place to be to enjoy busy city life.
Aside from casinos, you can visit the National Automobile Museum, the Nevada Museum of Art, and the Reno Arch.
Some good eateries include Atlantis Steakhouse, Atlantis Bistro Napa, Squeeze In, and Atlantis Sky Terrace Sushi & Oyster Bar.
7. Lehman Creek Cascades
Though not a waterfall in the traditional sense, Lehman Creek Cascades is a continuous stream of water that comes from Nevada’s only glacier.
They can be considered a flat waterfall, running through greenery and over rocks in Great Basin National Park.
If you follow the Lehman Creek Trail, you’ll be able to walk alongside the Cascades and take some wonderful photos close-up.
There are slight inclines as the water runs down, making this the most unique waterfall to visit in Nevada.
If you’d like to visit the glacier, take some time out of your trip to Lehman Creek Cascades to go to Wheeler Peak, which is also located within Great Basin National Park.
Most of the glacier is covered by debris, but it is still a spectacular sight and a great place to hunt for minerals, including limestone, shale, and moon milk.
You can also partake in a tour of the historic Lehman Caves, a hike up Wheeler Peak, and visits to Teresa Lake and Stella Lake.
8. Stonewall Falls
Located in Nye County, this waterfall is small but beautiful.
It is sourced from a spring that flows out of Stonewall Mountain, creating a stunning stream of shimmering water that goes on for 400 feet down the face of the mountain.
Not only does it look amazing, but the waterfall and the small pool at its base also help to sustain local wildlife.
Because of that, you should be very careful when visiting so as not to disrupt the natural environment.
While in Nye County, you can also entertain yourself by exploring further than the Stonewall Falls.
There is the Goldwell Open Air Museum, with its array of unique sculptures, and Rhyolite, a ghost town that has doubled as a set for several movies.
You’ll even pass an Air Force bombing range to reach the waterfall. However, Stonewall Falls is the main beauty and photographs of it will take pride of place in any adventurer’s memento album.
Unfortunately, scientists have warned that Stonewall Falls may not be around 50 years from now due to global warming drying up the spring that sources it, so it is important to visit it and appreciate exactly how vital nature is to us.
9. Galena Falls
Galena Falls are absolutely glorious and well-deserving of their place on this list.
The trail to reach them is perfect for all the family because it is much easier than some of the other hikes on this list.
The Falls are located inside the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and reachable after a 2.4-mile hike (with the same distance back).
Luckily, there is minimal elevation, so it won’t take you too long to reach the waterfall, which is approximately 70 feet tall.
The hike to reach the waterfall is one of the best. You’ll get views of Lake Tahoe, the Tahoe Meadows, interesting rock formations, and scenery that looks like it has come out of a fairytale.
Seasoned hikers will be able to enjoy a variety of scenic routes after seeing the Galena Falls because there are plenty of trails to choose from.
The forest is home to around 100,000 historical sites, so any fans of history will be able to keep track of them.
There is also a visitor center, gift shop, and education building to help you pack as much into your visit as possible.
10. Kings Canyon Falls
Topping off this list is the spectacular Kings Canyon Falls, located towards the edge of Carson City.
The Kings Canyon Falls are located close to the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, which goes on for a tremendous 6.3 million acres (even covering a small section of California) and is an amazing place to hike and explore further.
The Falls are around 30 feet tall, splitting off into multiple little falls as they stream down the rockface.
With greenery growing above and around it, this waterfall looks positively magical from every angle.
The hike to it doesn’t take long at all, being a 0.5-mile round trip, so it is perfect for all the family.
You can easily admire it for hours as the clear water splashes over stretches of rocks and branches.
Carson City also offers plenty to do. You can visit the Nevada State Museum, the Nevada State Capitol Building, and the Governor’s Mansion.
Ways To Get To Nevada
If you are planning to travel to Nevada by plane then the Las Vegas McCarran International Airport is the largest in the state.
There are 53 other airports in the state, all of which are well connected to the rest of the United States.
From there, you should be able to reach all of the waterfalls on this list by car or public transport, so long as you plan all your excursions in advance.
Accommodation Tips
If you choose to stay at The Retreat on Charleston Peak, you’ll get the full adventurer’s experience, but there are also plenty of great hotels in Las Vegas where you can stay.
These include Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, the Bellagio Hotel & Casino, the MGM Grand, the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, and Caesars Palace.
Wherever you stay, you’ll be able to indulge in the city’s fantastic nightlife after days spent exploring Nevada’s most beautiful spots.
Conclusion
Despite its reputation as the driest state in the U.S., this list shows that Nevada is actually one of the most beautiful states to visit if you enjoy exploring the outdoors.
Waterfalls are an integral part of what makes Nevada’s natural environment so special.
And if you time your visit according to weather conditions, you’ll get to see all ten of the falls mentioned on this list in their full glory.
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