National Geographic brings us a list of what they feel are the “Top 1o best waterfall runs in the U.S.”.

Top 10 of the best waterfall runs in the U.S

“We enlisted Trip Jennings to draft a Top 10 of the best waterfall runs in the U.S., right before he left for a paddling expedition in Bolivia. Stay tuned for what he finds there…. In the meantime, grab a paddle and get started on Jennings’s life-list paddle list.” – National Geographic

10. Spout Run, Potomac River – Washington, D.C.

How to Go: This Class V is accessible from the Spout Run exit off of the GW Parkway, heading north towards I-495, out of D.C. Learn more here. Expect continuous, fast-moving Class IIs before the bottom drops out for nearly 60 feet in the last 150 yards.

9. Oh Be Joyful Creek – Salida, CO
How to Go: Tackle a mile-long stretch of Class V from Ankle Creek to Beaver Ponds to this 30-footer. Pitch camp 21 miles away, at the Spring Creek Campground. Learn more here.

8. Adrenaline Falls, Lime Creek – Durango, CO
How to Go: A series of smaller warm up drops in Lime Creek’s First Gorge readies you for 25-foot Adrenaline Falls. Learn more here.

7. Ohiopyle Falls, Youghiogheny River – Ohiopyle, PN
How to Go: This 19-foot falls—the highlight of the Youghiogheny River Gorge running through Ohiopyle State Park, in Pennsylvania’s Fayette County—is open to paddlers just one weekend a year, during the annual Over-the-Falls Festival. This year’s will be held August 2. Learn morehere.

6. Gluteal Mash, North Fork of the Blackwater – Davis, WV
How to Go: A technical rock garden leads into the approach to 30-foot Gluteal Mash, on the North Fork of the Blackwater River. Learn more here.

5. Mesa Falls, Henry’s Fork Snake River – Ashton, ID
How to Go: Just west of Yellowstone National Park, the Upper (114 feet) and Lower (40 feet) Mesa Falls can be accessed by taking Highway 20 west out of West Yellowstone to Highway 294. Learn more here. See for Yourself:

4. South Fork, Silver Creek – Auburn, CA
How to Go: The South Fork stretch of Silver Creek—between Placerville and Lake Tahoe—drops nearly 600 feet per mile over a crazy 1.5-mile stretch. Learn more here.

3. Celestial Falls, White River – Tygh Valley, OR
How to Go: The White River drops 48 feet over a basalt shelf in White River Falls State Park, just east of Tygh Valley, along Highway 216. Learn more here.

2. Gorilla, Green River – Flat Rock, NC
How to Go: Four distinct drops comprise the mighty Gorilla, including Nies’ Pieces, Butt Cruncher (God knows…), the Speed Trap, and the main drop Zoom Flume. Take I-26 South out of Asheville to Exit

1. Spirit Falls, Little White Salmon River – Husom, WA
How to Go: A half-mile stretch of Class III drops leads up to gorgeous Spirit Falls, the 33-foot plunge that tops our list. Learn more here.

Full article: National Geographic

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