United States · Nebraska
Smith Falls
Smith Falls, at 63 feet , is the highest waterfall in the state of Nebraska and the centerpiece of Smith Falls State Park. The state park and falls are located 12 miles east-northeast of Valentine and 3 miles southwest of Sparks, on the south side of the Niobrara River.
Facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia, compiled September 2026; season and access are our estimate, not a visit report. How we build these pages.
Smith Falls drops 19 metres (62 ft) on the Niobrara River, inside Smith Falls State Park. It is a cascade-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Nebraska, United States. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).
As a cascade waterfall, water tumbles down a series of rock steps rather than falling free.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at Smith Falls itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Nebraska are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Snowmelt-driven: April to June is the big-water window, and some falls almost disappear by late summer.
Getting there
- Base town Nebraska, United States
- Country United States
- Region Nebraska, United States, North America
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Smith Falls
United States
Height19 mWidth—
Most similar
Blackwater Falls State Park
United States
Height19 mWidth—
Also a cascade waterfall, of similar height and in the United States too
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
Angel Falls is 52× taller than Smith Falls. Victoria Falls is 5.7× taller. We don't have a reliable crest width for Smith Falls yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
On the map
42.88694, -100.3177
Quick answers
Where is Smith Falls?
Smith Falls is in United States (Nebraska), inside Smith Falls State Park. The nearest base is Nebraska, United States. Its coordinates are 42.8869, -100.3177.
How tall is Smith Falls?
Smith Falls drops 19 metres (62 feet). It is a cascade-type waterfall on the Niobrara River.
When is the best time to visit Smith Falls?
Peak flow is April to June. Snowmelt-driven: April to June is the big-water window, and some falls almost disappear by late summer.
What can you do at Smith Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
How do you get to Smith Falls?
The usual base is Nebraska, United States. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
Nearby
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