15 Stunningly Beautiful Waterfalls in Florida

The Sunshine State might be the carpenter’s dream of states, but there are still waterfalls in Florida which we can admire. In this guide, we share the 15 most stunning Florida waterfalls, where you can find them, and how you can see them.

Visitors to Florida often think of it as a tropical paradise. Hard not to when presented with white sandy beaches, refreshing springs, and palm trees swaying in the breeze. Florida, however, has a lot of flat land, a lot of wetlands and marshes which are not conducive to creating waterfalls. Still, there are a few throughout the state, mostly in the northern half, and the ways they formed are as unique and interesting as the waterfalls themselves.

This guide to the best waterfalls in Florida is for you if you want to:

• Learn how waterfalls form in Florida
• Explore Florida’s waterfalls
• See photos of those falls
• Learn how you can visit and photograph them
• Learn photography tips for getting the best waterfall photos
• Get a map of the waterfalls mentioned in this blog post

How Waterfalls Form in Florida

As mentioned above, Florida is pretty flat. The highest elevation is 345 feet in north Walton County on Florida’s panhandle. This is the lowest highest elevation of any state in the United States. In other words, Florida’s pretty flat.

Waterfalls form when a waterway, such as a river or stream, meets an abrupt and often significant change in elevation. Think rocky cliffs, mountainsides, etc. Florida has no mountains so waterfalls can’t form in that manner. 

Florida has no rocky cliffs either. Rather than forming on a bed of granite or other hard rock, Florida’s bedrock is limestone which is porous and erodes easily when water runs through it. So how do we get waterfalls in Florida?

• Sinkholes
• River rapids (Okay, maybe technically not waterfalls, but we take what we can get)
• Tidal waterfalls
• Manmade (Is this cheating?)

Sinkhole Waterfalls in Florida

Remember that porous limestone? That’s what causes the many sinkholes in Florida you might hear about on the news. In a nutshell, over tens of thousands of years, rain seeps through the limestone and erodes away the inside of it forming caves. Many are filled with water and create stunning underwater caves for divers. 

Sometimes the caves are filled with air or eventually fill with air as the water table falls. The thin layer of earth and rock at the top of the cave collapses, and that’s a sinkhole. Some are small – just a few feet across – and others are large enough to create lakes. In fact, many of Florida’s most stunning lakes were created from sinkholes.

When a sinkhole remains mostly dry and has a waterway that flows over its edge, it creates a waterfall much like your typical waterfalls in other parts of the world. They tend to be much smaller in Florida though no less beautiful.

River Rapids in Florida

Though Florida is mostly flat and one would expect rivers to just flow to the coast without natural impediments, there are a couple of notable exceptions in the state. These have formed Class II and Class III river rapids.

Tidal Waterfalls in Florida

Tidal waterfalls form in the same way that regular waterfalls form. The difference is that tidal waterfalls usually only appear at low tide or extreme low tide when the two elevations of the seafloor are exposed.

Man Made Waterfalls

Well, these are self-explanatory, right? In keeping with Florida’s “tropical paradise” alter ego, some parks and businesses have built waterfalls to entertain guests and visitors. I have only included the best man made waterfalls found in parks on this list.

15 Stunning Florida Waterfalls

Now that you understand how Florida waterfalls form and have a better idea of what you’ll see, let’s jump into the 15 best waterfalls in Florida, organized by type – natural followed by man made – then location from north to south. I have included a map of these locations below and a handy chart so that you can find the perfect waterfall(s) to visit in Florida.

1. Falling Waters State Park

Perhaps the most well-known of Florida’s waterfalls is the one found at Falling Waters State Park in Chipley. This is the western and northern most of Florida’s waterfalls and one of the largest. 

Formed by a sinkhole 100 feet deep and 20 feet wide, this waterfall plunges 73 feet into a cave below. The flow of water from there is still not mapped so no one knows where the water goes. A boardwalk and viewing platform allows visitors to view the waterfall and surrounding geology of the limestone pit.

The waterfall is just one of the many features of the park, though. It’s a quiet and serene place to visit for a morning or take a break from driving as it’s near Interstate 10. The park offers a two-acre freshwater lake for swimming and fishing, a mile of trails for hiking, and is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.

• Address: 1130 State Park Road, Chipley FL 32428
• Hours: 365 days, 8:00AM to sundown
• Cost: $5/vehicle (2024)

2. Econfina Falls

Econfina Falls is a feature found along the Econfina Creek portion of the Florida Trail. The length of this entire portion is 18.4 miles and is beautiful if you enjoy longer hikes. If a shorter distance is more your thing, the north trailhead on Scott Road is the best place to start. From here, the falls, as well as small rapids, are just a couple miles down the trail.

After crossing Two Penny Bridge, one of the suspension bridges on the trail, one hears the creek passing over Stairstep Shoal where a very small rapid forms. Econfina Falls is further along the trail, a stream tumbling over the bank into the creek below.

• Address: Scott Road
• Hours: 365 days, sunrise to sunset
• Cost: Free

3. Torreya State Park

Torreya State Park in north Florida is better known for its high rock bluffs, extremely rare torreya tree, and historic Gregory House. Unless you’re looking for a waterfall, you might not even realize there’s one here tucked away on a moderately difficult hike, though sometimes the waterfall can dry up during drier months.

At nearly 14,000 acres, Torreya State Park is one of Florida’s largest state parks, but that’s not the only thing that makes it unique. Located on high bluffs along the Apalachicola River, this park’s unique geography of bluffs and ravines creates microclimates where rare endemic plants, like the critically endangered Florida Torreya tree, grow and thrive. This geography also makes the 16 miles of trails in the park some of the most challenging in Florida.

If you’re here to see the waterfall, your best bet is to visit during the rainy season – July through October – which also happens to be the worst time to hike in Florida. Avoid waterfall-chasing April through June when the dry season might mean a dried up a waterfall. To find it, head out on the Weeping Ridge Trail, a 1.5 mile out and back trail. You’ll find the waterfall at the turnaround point.

• Address: 2576 N.W. Torreya Park Road, Bristol FL 32321
• Hours: 365 days, 8am to sunset
• Cost: $3/vehicle

4. Camp Branch/Disappearing Creek

Camp Branch, near White Springs, is also known as Disappearing Creek because (wait for it)… it disappears. Not once, but twice. Camp Branch flows from the east towards the Suwanee River. The creek bounces through a narrow canyon and disappears into a limestone wall. It reappears closer to the river then disappears again before emerging a last time and dropping into the Suwanee.

The trail to see the waterfall is considered a relatively easy one. It’s a 3.5 mile loop that follows the creek down to the Suwanee then follows the river north before looping back to Disappearing Creek then back to the trailhead. Along the way, enjoy stunning views of the creek, the river, and the natural landscape of this area.

• Address: 12982 SE 89th Way, White Springs, FL 32096
• Hours: 365 days, 8am to sunset
• Cost: Free

5. Big Shoals Rapids

Big Shoals is located on the Suwannee River inside Big Shoals State Park near White Springs, Florida. These are the only Class III whitewater rapids in the state. The rapids happen where the limestone bluffs narrow the river, forcing the water through a tighter space and creating fast-moving, turbulent flow.

The rapids are classified as Class III when river levels are between 59 and 61 feet (measured at the White Springs gauge). At lower water levels, the rocks are more exposed and the rapids are rougher. At higher levels, the rapids become less technical but still powerful. Most paddlers will portage around the rapids unless they’re experienced with whitewater.

You can reach Big Shoals via the Big Shoals Trail, a wide dirt path that’s about 1 mile from the Big Shoals parking area. There’s an overlook above the rapids and access to the river for paddlers. The trail is also open to bikes and connects to a larger trail network.

• Address: 18738 SE 94th Street, White Springs, FL 32096
• Hours: 365 days, 8am to sunset
• Cost: $4/vehicle

6. Falling Creek Falls

Falling Creek Falls is a 10- to 12-foot waterfall located just north of Lake City, Florida. It’s one of the few natural waterfalls in the state, formed as Falling Creek flows over a limestone ledge before continuing downstream toward the Suwannee River.

A short, accessible boardwalk leads from the parking area to an observation platform overlooking the waterfall. The entire trail is about 0.6 miles round-trip, making it an easy walk suitable for most visitors.

Though it’s not a huge waterfall, Falling Creek Falls is important historically as the site of a grist mill which operated here in the mid-1800s using the creek’s flow for power.

• Address: 953 NW Falling Creek Road, Lake City, FL 32055
• Hours: Daily from sunrise to sunset
• Cost: Free

7. Steinhatchee Falls

Steinhatchee Falls is one of the most unique waterfalls in Florida and one you don’t want to miss if you’re visiting the Nature Coast/Forgotten Coast area of the state. These falls are created by a limestone ledge in the Steinhatchee River which falls between three and five feet. Tall these are not. However, they do have the distinction of being the widest falls in Florida, spanning two hundred feet across the river.

Another unique sight at Steinhatchee Falls is wagon wheel ruts carved into the limestone above the falls. These show where the Old Bellamy Road crossed the river back in the 1800s. The falls served as a natural crossing point for Native Americans, knowledge which also served pioneers and military campaigns.

Visit the Steinhatchee Falls Park on SR 51. To see the wagon wheel ruts, visit when the river water levels are lower (also great for seeing the falls better) and follow a short trail upstream to the picnic area.

• Address: no address – go to the end of Steinhatchee Falls Road
• Hours: Daily, 8am to 6pm
• Cost: Free

8. Devil’s Millhopper

​Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park in Gainesville, Florida, features a unique natural formation: a 120-foot-deep, 500-foot-wide sinkhole with small waterfalls cascading down its limestone walls. The sinkhole exposes over 100 feet of rock layers, offering insights into Florida’s geological history.

Several springs create fall that trickle down the rock layers into the sinkhole. These cascades are most prominent after heavy rainfall, when increased water flow enhances their visibility and sound. The constant moisture from the waterfalls creates a microenvironment that supports diverse plant species, including ferns and mosses uncommon in other parts of Florida.

Visitors can access the waterfalls via a boardwalk and staircase that descend into the sinkhole. The staircase includes 132 steps leading to an observation deck that offers views of the waterfalls and the surrounding vegetation. The descent provides a close-up experience of the sinkhole’s unique ecosystem.

• Address: 4732 Millhopper Road, Gainesville, FL 32653
• Hours: Daily, 8am to sunset
• Cost: $4/vehicle

9. Hidden Waters Preserve

Hidden Waters Preserve in Eustis, Florida, features a small but scenic waterfall formed by a seepage stream that flows into Lake Alfred, a sinkhole lake. The preserve encompasses over 80 acres and includes various ecosystems such as wetlands, pine forests, and oak hammocks. ​

To see the waterfall, take the Ravine Trail, which leads up and around a deeply eroded gash in the landscape caused by water funneling down into the sinkhole from the hillside above. Note that pets, bicycles, and motorized vehicles are not permitted on the trails in the preserve.

• Address: 2010 Abrams Road, Eustis, FL 32726
• Hours: Daily, 8am to sunset
• Cost: Free

10. Werner-Boyce Salt Springs Tidal Fall

Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park covers almost 4,000 acres, much of it wetlands and waterways. On land there are approximately 5 miles of trails taking hikers and walkers to various springs, bird blinds, and historic spots in the park.

The tidal waterfall can be seen at the end of the Springs Trail just down river from the main Salt Spring. The spring is more than 350 feet deep and is a 2nd magnitude spring. The spring maintains water flow in the small creek where the tidal fall is located which creates that waterfall where the creek bed drops a couple of feet. It can only be seen at extreme low tide.

• Address: 8737 U.S. Highway 19 North, Port Richey FL 34668
• Hours: 365 days, 8am to sunset
• Cost: $2/bicycle or pedestrian or $4/vehicle

11. Hillsborough River Rapids

Believe or not, there are Class II rapids less than an hour from Tampa. At Hillsborough River State Park, the Hillsborough River has carved out several rapids, creating a unique sight in this part of Florida. The state park protects this unique part of the river, keeping the banks wild and providing an opportunity for the public to enjoy the rapids.

Though Hillsborough River State Park has nearly 20 miles of hiking trails in and around the park, the Rapids Trail is the only one from which visitors can view the rapids. There’s no swimming allowed in the river here. Kayaking and canoeing is allowed for those who have access to one. It’s a fun and interesting way to view the rapids.

• Address: 15402 U.S. 301 North, Thonotosassa FL 33592
• Hours: 365 days, 8am to sunset
• Cost: $6/vehicle

12. Rainbow Springs State Park

We start our journey in Florida’s most iconic manmade waterfalls at Rainbow Springs State Park. They were built in the 1930s as part of a privately-owned theme park designed to attract tourists with Florida’s tropical image. Built on piles of phosphate tailings, the waterfalls were complemented by gardens, a zoo, and other attractions to create a “jungle oasis” that appealed to visitors’ expectations of Florida.

Despite being manmade, the waterfalls have not been demolished because they have become an integral part of the park’s history and charm. When the state acquired the property in 1990, the community rallied to preserve and restore the park’s features, including the waterfalls. The Friends of Rainbow Springs, a dedicated volunteer group, continue to maintain these structures, recognizing their cultural significance and the role they play in attracting visitors.

Visitors can see the waterfalls today along the garden trails, which are easily accessible and well-marked, making for a pleasant walk through the park’s scenic landscape.​

• Address: 19158 SW 81st Place Road, Dunnellon, FL 34432
• Hours: Daily, 8am to sunset
• Cost: $2/person

13. Sunken Gardens

Sunken Gardens in St. Pete features several manmade waterfalls, from tall thin falls to small, barely-there falls you might walk past without noticing. This landmark and historic roadside attraction developed out of a drained sinkhole lake. The location created a unique microclimate in which tropical plants grow in this subtropical part of Florida.

The waterfalls at Sunken Gardens flow from a meandering system of creeks, streams, and ponds which add to the tropical vibe of the park. Here, visitors wander along winding walkways which follow the natural deepening of the shallow lakebed. Flowering plants and trees bloom in a riot of colors which draw photographers, artists, and nature lovers from all over the country.

• Address: 1825 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704
• Hours: 10-4:30 M-Sa, 12-4:30 Sunday
• Cost: $18/person

14. Oscar Sherer State Park

The manmade waterfall at Oscar Sherer State Park is probably the smallest on this list. It’s created by water flowing down a steep slope into Lake Osprey, a freshwater lake fed by an artesian spring. Though its pretty, it’s not why we’re visiting Oscar Sherer.

This state park in Osprey (Sarasota area) is best-known by nature lovers as one the best places to see Florida’s only endemic bird species, the endangered scrub jay. The park also features swimming in Lake Osprey, blackwater kayaking on South Creek, and 15 miles of hiking trails.

To view the waterfall, take the Lake Osprey Trail, an accessible loop with benches and shade. The trail leads to a pier extending into the lake, offering a good vantage point of the waterfall.

• Address: 1843 S Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229
• Hours: Daily, 8am to sunset
• Cost: $5/vehicle

15. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

​Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, Florida, features a series of serene waterfalls integrated into its six distinct garden styles, collectively known as Roji-en: Garden of the Drops of Dew. These waterfalls are designed to reflect traditional Japanese garden aesthetics, enhancing the tranquil atmosphere of the surroundings.

Visitors can explore the waterfalls by strolling along the mile-long path that meanders through the gardens. The waterfalls are strategically placed to complement the various garden styles, offering picturesque views and moments of reflection throughout the journey.

• Address: 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach, FL 33446
• Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am to 5pm
• Cost: $16/person

Tips for Photographing Waterfalls

Want to capture the magic of a Florida waterfall? Whether you’re using a phone or a DSLR camera, these tips can help you get the shot just right:

• Use a tripod – For smooth, flowing water shots, you’ll need a steady hand—or better yet, no hands. A tripod keeps your camera stable during long exposures.
• Try a slow shutter speed – This creates that silky water effect. Start with 1/4 second or slower and adjust from there. Use a neutral density (ND) filter if it’s bright out.
• Shoot after it rains – Waterfalls are usually more dramatic right after a good rain. Just watch your step—trails may be muddy or slick. The notable exceptions to this rule are our river rapids which become smaller when water levels rise.
• Avoid harsh midday light – Soft, diffused light in the morning or late afternoon is best. Overcast days are ideal for capturing water without blown-out highlights.
• Use a polarizing filter – This reduces glare on wet rocks and brings out the natural colors in the scene.
• Don’t forget the surroundings – Frame your shot to include mossy rocks, trees, or reflections to add depth and context.
• Get low or go wide – Shooting from a lower angle or using a wide lens can make the waterfall feel bigger and more powerful.
• Keep your lens dry – Waterfalls mean mist. Bring a microfiber cloth and wipe your lens often to avoid spots in your photos.

Wrapping It Up: Best Waterfalls in Florida

Florida might be known for its beaches and theme parks, but its waterfalls—whether natural or manmade—add a whole other layer to the state’s outdoor charm. Some are tucked into lush preserves, others are hiding in plain sight, and every single one is worth the detour. Whether you’re hiking through sinkholes, wandering historic gardens, or just in it for the photo ops, Florida’s waterfalls offer up some seriously underrated beauty.

If you enjoyed chasing waterfalls, you’ll probably love exploring Florida’s most beautiful botanical gardens, too. They’re peaceful, full of hidden corners, and often way less crowded than you’d expect. Check out my list of the best ones to visit next!