While the Pelican State is known for having a relatively flat terrain, there are areas where rocky inclines can be found, and some of them even boast waterfalls.
The U.S. boasts impressive waterfalls, like the rushes of water seen at Niagara Fall and Yosemite Falls, yet the natural phenomena can be found all throughout the U.S.
These waterfalls are created by the process of erosion, as rivers or streams flow over different layers of rock and erode softer rocks until the characteristic drop or cascade of waterfall if formed.
The best waterfall in Louisiana according to Travel + Leisure
Rock Falls is located within the J.C. “Sonny” Gilbert Wildlife Management Area in Catahoula Parish near Sicily Island and is accessible via a 0.7 mile loop known as Rock Falls Trail.
Rock Falls is Louisiana’s tallest waterfall, measuring as 17-foot tiered waterfall that drops down a rock face and is surrounded by a thick, hardwood forest, says Travel + Leisure.
The area’s terrain is especially rugged for Louisiana, with high ridges dropping sharply into creek bottoms and elevations ranging from 35 to 245 feet above sea level, says the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Within the J.C. “Sonny” Gilbert Wildlife Management Area, there are four streams that meander and total to approximately 10 miles in length. “Big Creek” is the longest of the streams, it has a rapid flow and sand, gravel and sandstone bottom, says the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Found among rolling hills and creeks are are number of tree species, including magnolia, sweetgum, blackgum, shortleaf pine, hickory, elm, ash, post oak and red maple.
Other waterfalls in Louisiana include:
- Kisatchie Falls: Provencal, Louisiana
- Woodriff Falls: St. Francisville, Louisiana
- Odum Falls: Natchitoches Parish
- Waterfall Bayou: East Feliciana Parish
- St. Mary’s Falls: Catahoula Parish
The best waterfall in every U.S. state Travel + Leisure
- Little River Falls, Alabama
- Horsetail Falls, Alaska
- Grand Falls, Arizona
- Twin Falls, Arkansas
- Burney Falls, California
- North Clear Creek Falls, Colorado
- Kent Falls, Connecticut
- Brandywine Creek Falls, Delaware
- Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park, Florida
- Amicacola Falls, Georgia
- Manawaiopuna Falls, Hawaii
- Minnie Miller Springs, Idaho
- Starved Rock State Park Falls, Illinois
- Cataract Falls, Indiana
- Dunning’s Spring, Iowa
- Geary Lake Falls, Kansas
- Cumberland Falls, Kentucky
- Rock Falls, Louisiana
- Screw Auger Falls, Maine
- Muddy Creek Falls, Maryland
- Bash Bish Falls, Massachusetts
- Tahquamenon Falls, Michigan
- High Falls, Minnesota
- Clark Creek Waterfalls, Mississippi
- Grand Falls, Missouri
- St. Mary Falls, Montana
- Smith Falls, Nebraska
- Tamarack Peak (Galena Creek) Falls, Nevada
- Diana’s Baths, New Hampshire
- Buttermilk Falls, New Jersey
- Sitting Bull Falls, New Mexico
- Niagara Falls, New York
- Dry Falls, North Carolina
- Mineral Springs Waterfall, North Dakota
- Ash Cave Falls, Ohio
- Turner Falls, Oklahoma
- Toketee Falls Oregon, Oregon
- Cucumber Falls, Pennsylvania
- Pawtucket Falls, Rhode Island
- Yellow Branch Falls, South Carolina
- Roughlock Falls, South Dakota
- Cummins Falls, Tennessee
- Gorman Falls, Texas
- Fifth Water Hot Springs Waterfall, Utah
- Bingham Falls, Vermont
- Cascade Falls, Virginia
- Palouse Falls, Washington
- Blackwater Falls, West Virginia
- Big Manitou Falls, Wisconsin
- Shell Falls, Wyoming
Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
