Akaka Falls makes magazine’s list of must-see U.S. waterfalls

MENLO PARK, Calif. » Niagara Falls, located on the border of New York and Ontario, is probably North America's most famous waterfall.

But there are plenty of waterfalls out West worth visiting as the weather warms up. The April issue of Sunset magazine -- www.sunsetmagazine.com -- several. Note that while some are a short walk from a parking lot, others require a well-planned hike.

The list:

» Havasu Falls, Supai, Ariz., on the Havasupai Indian Reservation. Reaching these falls requires hiking 10 miles and getting the necessary trail permit several months in advance; www.havasupaitribe.com.

» 'Akaka Falls, Big Island, near Hilo, Hawaii. The falls, which stretch 400 feet, are located on a half-mile loop in a state park; www.hawaii.gov.

» Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, in Yellowstone National Park, Wyo. The falls are best seen from Upper Falls Viewpoint and Artist Point; www.nps.gov/yell.

» Yosemite, Bridalveil, Vernal and Nevada Falls in California's Yosemite National Park; www.nps.gov/yose.

» Multnomah Falls, about a half-hour drive from Portland, Ore. The water falls some 500 feet into a pool, then cascades to another drop under an arching stone footbridge. Hike 1.2 miles to the top, or view them from a restaurant near the visitor center for the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area; www.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia.

» Rifle Falls State Park in Colorado. Walk just 100 yards from the parking area at the trailhead, or take the half-mile trail to the top; www.parks.state.co.us/parks/riflefalls.

» Snoqualmie Falls in Washington, about 30 miles from Seattle. Watch them from a gazebo or from the dining room at Salish Lodge & Spa; www.snoqualmiefalls.com.

» Seven Falls, Colorado Springs, Colo. This series of seven waterfalls is reached via 224 steep steps, or take an elevator that runs through 14 stories worth of granite to the top; www.sevenfalls.com.

» North Falls at Silver Falls State Park, North Silver Creek, Ore. Watch the falls from a viewing cavern; www.oregonstateparks.org.

» Whiskeytown Falls, Redding, Calif. The 1.7-mile trail drops and climbs a total of 1,000 feet along hills to the falls' base; www.nps.gov/whis.