7 West Coast Waterfalls That Are Most Stunning in Spring & Early Summer

Spring and early summer are prime waterfall season on the West Coast. As snow melts and rivers swell, these waterfalls explode with power—creating raging torrents, misty rainbows, and jaw-dropping views.

If you want to see waterfalls at their absolute best, these are the ones you need to visit before summer dries them out.

1. Multnomah Falls (Oregon) – Iconic, But Spring Makes It Even Better

• Location: Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
• Why It’s Stunning in Spring:
  • The flow is at its strongest in April-May, making it even more dramatic than usual.
  • Spring greenery surrounds the falls, making it look even more magical.
• Best Viewpoint: The Benson Bridge—it sits right between the two tiers of the waterfall.

💡 Pro Tip: Visit early in the morning to avoid the tourist rush.

2. Yosemite Falls (California) – A Springtime Showstopper

• Location: Yosemite National Park, California
• Why It’s Stunning in Spring:
  • It’s one of the tallest waterfalls in North America (2,425 feet!) and only flows at full force in spring.
  • By mid-summer, it shrinks to a trickle—so get there before it’s gone.
• Best Viewpoint: The Lower Yosemite Falls Trail gives you an easy, up-close view.

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re up for a challenging hike, the Yosemite Falls Trail takes you to the top for insane valley views.

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3. Toketee Falls (Oregon) – Perfectly Framed by Basalt Cliffs

• Location: Umpqua National Forest, Southern Oregon
• Why It’s Stunning in Spring:
  • The meltwater-fed flow is strongest in April-June.
  • The dark basalt rock formations make the waterfall look unreal.
• Best Viewpoint: The Toketee Falls Overlook, a short hike from the parking area.

💡 Pro Tip: Stop by nearby Umpqua Hot Springs for a post-hike soak.

4. Palouse Falls (Washington) – The Official Waterfall of Washington

• Location: Eastern Washington
• Why It’s Stunning in Spring:
  • Snowmelt turns this already powerful 200-foot waterfall into an absolute beast.
  • The surrounding canyon turns lush green, making it even more dramatic.
• Best Viewpoint: The main overlook offers breathtaking views of the falls and the rugged basalt cliffs.

💡 Pro Tip: Visit at sunset for golden hour magic over the canyon.

5. Burney Falls (California) – The “Crown Jewel” of California’s Waterfalls

• Location: McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, Northern California
• Why It’s Stunning in Spring:
  • Unlike many waterfalls, Burney Falls flows year-round, but in spring, the cascades are even more powerful.
  • Water seeps through volcanic rock, creating an effect where water flows from both above and below the cliff.
• Best Viewpoint: The main viewing platform near the parking lot gives you the best straight-on view.

💡 Pro Tip: Take the short loop trail around the falls for multiple unique perspectives.

6. Proxy Falls (Oregon) – A Dreamlike Cascading Waterfall

• Location: Willamette National Forest, Central Oregon
• Why It’s Stunning in Spring:
  • Melting snow feeds the falls, making the water tumble beautifully over moss-covered rocks.
  • The lush green surroundings make it feel like something out of a fantasy novel.
• Best Viewpoint: The Proxy Falls Trail (1.6-mile loop) gets you right in front of the waterfall.

💡 Pro Tip: Be prepared to get your feet wet—the best view is from a rocky area at the base of the falls.

7. Sol Duc Falls (Washington) – A Stunning Cascade in Olympic National Park

• Location: Olympic National Park, Washington
• Why It’s Stunning in Spring:
  • The waterfall splits into multiple streams, creating a picturesque, misty cascade.
  • The surrounding old-growth rainforest is at its greenest in spring.
• Best Viewpoint: The Sol Duc Falls Trail (1.6 miles round-trip) takes you to a bridge overlooking the falls.

💡 Pro Tip: Stop by Sol Duc Hot Springs for a post-hike soak.

MORE ON THE WEST COAST:

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