Consider putting one of these amazing trail running races with waterfall views on your calendar.

If you’re looking for trail races where the waterfalls are part of the experience—not just a nearby attraction—these U.S. and Canadian events stand out. Most offer stunning waterfall views, making them ideal destinations for trail runners who love combining adventure with spectacular scenery.

Without further chatter, here are 25 amazing trail running races with waterfall views.

(Some of the races listed below might be sold out already, but they are listed for future inspiration. For more trail running race options, visit UltraSignup’s Event Finder.)

Mount Hood 50

July 11-12, Mount Hood, Oregon
50 miles, 50K

Mt Hood 50 — Photo courtesy of Mount Hood 50

Set around Mount Hood, this race offers a mix of forested trails and alpine terrain. The course features steady climbs, long descents, and mostly runnable singletrack. Waterfalls and glacial streams appear frequently, especially in shaded forest sections. The race balances accessibility with classic Pacific Northwest beauty.

Information and registration: Mount Hood 50

Cascade Crest 100

July 17, Easton, Washington
100 miles

The Cascade Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run is a classic mountain ultra traversing the central Cascades. The course features over 20,000 feet of climbing across remote singletrack, alpine passes, and rugged terrain. Runners encounter numerous waterfalls and snowmelt-fed streams in high mountain basins. The race combines extreme endurance demands with expansive, water-rich alpine scenery.

Information and registration: Cascade Crest 100

Creede 50/100

July 25, Creede, Colorado
100 miles, 50 miles

The Creede 50/100 is a rugged, high-altitude ultramarathon that sends runners on a demanding journey through the remote San Juan Mountains. The race features 50- and 100-mile options that climb above 12,000 feet and traverse long stretches of pristine singletrack, including extended sections along the Continental Divide with sweeping alpine views.

The course blends smooth dirt trails, jeep roads, and rugged alpine terrain, with significant elevation gain topping 20,000 feet and a high point above 13,000 feet. It’s a remote, self-reliant-style ultra that emphasizes adventure over precision, challenging runners with thin air, changing mountain conditions, and a constantly shifting mix of high-country terrain.

Information and Registration: Creede 50/100

Wy’east Trailfest

Aug. 15-16, Mount Hood, Oregon
50 miles, 50K, 28K, 14K

Wy’east Trailfest is a trail running festival held that includes point-to-point 50-mile and 50K courses (the 50K doubling as the 2026 USATF 50K Trail National Championship) plus 28K and 14K options, all climbing into Mt. Hood’s alpine terrain above 8,000 feet with volcanic ridgelines, wildflower meadows, and waterfalls lower on the course. Sunday shifts to a more approachable vibe with a half marathon, 8K, and a free, untimed Kids Race.

The event honors “Wy’east,” the ancestral name for Mt. Hood, and is known for its festive finish-line scene with live cheering for every runner, food, craft beverages, and games. With sweeping views of the Cascades and a mix of technical alpine singletrack and rocky doubletrack, it’s considered one of the premier mountain trail race weekends in the Pacific Northwest.

Information and registration: Wy’east Trailfest

Olympic Mountain Trail Festival

Aug. 15-16, Olympic Peninsula, Washington
100K, 50K, 25K, 10K, 50K Ruck, 25K Ruck

Held in the rainforest ecosystem of the Olympic National Park region, these races feature soft, rooty trails and lush vegetation. The course includes rolling hills and moderate elevation gain with occasional technical sections. Waterfalls, moss-covered rocks, and constant moisture define the environment. It’s one of the most water-saturated trail experiences in the U.S.

Courses are rugged and demanding, climbing toward summits like Mount Townsend and Mount Zion with thousands of feet of gain on mostly singletrack trails, running alongside features like Gold Creek and the Dungeness River with sweeping views of the eastern Olympic Range. The event has a strong festival atmosphere, with free camping, stocked aid stations, and a community of runners from across the U.S. and Canada.

Information and registration: Olympic Mountain Trail Festival

Shawnee Hills Trail Races

Aug. 29–30, Camp Ondessonk, Shawnee National Forest, Illinois
100 miles, 100K, 50K, Night 50K, 13.1 miles

Southern Illinois is one of the most underrated trail running destinations in the country, and the Shawnee Hills Trail Races make the strongest possible case for that argument. Based out of Camp Ondessonk in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest, the course winds through sandstone canyon systems, past towering rock formations, and alongside some of the most dramatic waterfalls in the Midwest—including Pakentuck Falls, the tallest free-falling waterfall in Illinois, and Jackson, Horseshoe, and Cedar Falls.

The figure-eight loop course is roughly 80 percent singletrack on dirt trails through oak-hickory and maple-beech forest, and it’s the kind of terrain that surprises people who only know Illinois as flat farm country. For anyone who grew up running roads in the Midwest and never knew this terrain existed, now you know.

Information and registration: Shawnee Hills Trail Races

Backcountry Rise

Aug. 29, Toutle, Washington
50K, 20 miles, 13.1 miles

Beginning and ending near Coldwater Lake, the routes wind across remote mountain trails shaped by the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. Runners climb through open volcanic landscapes, cross high ridges, pass alpine lakes and waterfalls and seasonal wildflower fields, and follow mountain streams with expansive views stretching across the Cascade Range. Steep ascents, extended descents, and exposed sections test both endurance and sure-footedness, while the dramatic terrain offers a rare opportunity to run through a landscape that continues to evolve decades after one of North America’s most significant volcanic events.

Information and registration: Backcountry Rise

Dark Divide Trail Races

Sept. 4-6, Randle, Washington
100 miles, 100K, 50K, 15 miles

The Dark Divide Trail Races will take you to seldom-traveled places that are unspeakably beautiful, soul-stirringly remote, and uncommonly rugged, in the heart of the Central Washington Cascades. Located in the center of Gifford-Pinchot National Forest, the Dark Divide is a land of stunning, serrated sub-alpine ridges painted by wildflowers and punctuated by peaks; deep, solitary valleys filled with centuries-old trees; wild streams tumbling unfettered over waterfalls into sparkling pools; viewscapes that feel like you can reach out and touch the surrounding glaciated volcanoes with your fingers and a treasure of glimpses into the world as it once was.

Information and registration: Dark Divide Trail Races

Caney Fork Ultra

Sept. 12, Sparta, Tennessee
50 miles, 25K, 25K Ruck

The Caney Fork Ultra takes place at Camp Latimer Scout Reservation on the Cumberland Plateau near Spencer/Sparta, Tennessee, with a 50-Miler (this year’s featured distance, replacing the former 50K) and a 25K. Both courses cut through the rugged Caney Fork and Scotts Gulf region, a landscape shaped by limestone, sinkholes, caves, and waterfalls that seem to burst directly out of the rock as underground water re-emerges through springs and cliff faces. Runners traverse high overlooks with sweeping views into deep river gorges, descend into shaded hollows, and cross terrain that feels ancient and remote.

Information and registration: Caney Fork Ultra

Superior Fall Trail Race

Sept. 11-12, Lutsen, Minnesota
100 miles, 50 miles, 26.2 miles

The point-to-point courses challenge runners with relentless climbs, rocky and root-filled singletrack, river crossings, and sweeping overlooks of the North Shore, making it one of the Midwest’s most demanding trail running events. Beginning near Gooseberry Falls and finishing in Lutsen, the race combines technical terrain, vibrant fall colors, and a welcoming trail running community for an unforgettable North Woods adventure.

Before runners settle into the rugged Superior Hiking Trail, they experience one of the Midwest’s most beloved waterfall settings, where the Gooseberry River cascades through ancient volcanic rock toward Lake Superior. The waterfalls offer a dramatic and memorable backdrop to one of America’s toughest 100-milers.

Information and registration: Superior Fall Trail Race

East Fork Trail Races

Sept. 12, Bethel, Ohio
100 miles, 100K, 50K, 15K

Southwest Ohio finally has a hundred-miler it calls its own, and East Fork State Park—just 25 miles east of Cincinnati—turns out to be exactly the right place to build one. The course loops counterclockwise around William H. Harsha Lake on roughly 33 miles of rolling trail per loop, threading through mountain bike trail, hiking singletrack, a stretch of the Steve Newman Worldwalker Perimeter Trail, and a particularly memorable section through a pine forest with a waterfall that earns a genuine double-take at any hour of the day or night.

Runners will cross several creeks along the way, which feel less like obstacles and more like gifts by the time late summer heat settles in. The 100-miler is three loops, the 100K is two, and the 50K gets you one full circuit of terrain that’s more varied and technically interesting than most people expect from this corner of Ohio—which is, at this point, the recurring theme of trail running in this region.

Information and registration: East Fork Trail Races

Porkies Wilderness Races

Sept. 19, Ironwood, Michigan
50 miles, 13.1 miles

Porkies Wilderness Run — Photo courtesy of Porkies Wilderness Races

The Porkies Wilderness Races take runners into one of the most genuinely remote trail environments in the entire Midwest—Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a 60,000-acre expanse of old-growth forest, cascading waterfalls, rocky Lake Superior shoreline, and more than 90 miles of trail including a stretch of the North Country National Scenic Trail.

The 50-mile single-loop course was designed explicitly not for speed or comfort, but to put runners as deep into the wilderness as possible—steep climbs, technical descents, long stretches of muddy, rooted trail, and hours of night running in conditions that feel genuinely remote rather than just scenically inconvenient. Crew and pacer access is limited to a handful of designated points, which means runners spend long chunks of time alone with the forest, the ridgelines, and the sound of water—which is either exactly what you signed up for or a wake-up call about what you signed up for. For trail runners who’ve checked the boxes at every well-organized regional race and are looking for something rawer and harder to categorize, the Porkies is the answer.

Information and registration: Porkies Wilderness Races

The Trout Brook

Oct. 10, Hudson, Wisconsin
10 miles

The Trout Brook 10 Miler is a rugged fall trail race that showcases the wilder side of Wisconsin’s Willow River State Park near Hudson. Held each October, the course leaves the park’s wide paths behind in favor of twisting singletrack, steep climbs, a challenging stair section, and scenic views of the park’s iconic waterfall, all surrounded by brilliant autumn foliage. Designed for experienced trail runners, the race rewards strong climbing legs, confident footing on technical terrain, and an appreciation for one of western Wisconsin’s most beautiful trail networks.

Information and registration: The Trout Brook

Rogue Gorge

Oct. 17–18, Union Creek, Oregon
50 miles, 50K, 13.1 miles, 12K

Held along the Upper Rogue River near Crater Lake National Park, this race follows a winding corridor shaped by volcanic geology. The course is mostly singletrack with gentle rollers, lava rock sections, and flowing forest paths that allow for steady pacing. Runners encounter a constant series of waterfalls, cascades, and turquoise river features, including narrow gorges carved through basalt. The race stands out for its continuous proximity to moving water, creating a rhythmic, almost meditative running experience.

Information and registration: Rogue Gorge

Georgia Sky to Summit

Oct 24-25, Sky Valley, Georgia
50K, 25K

Both the 50K (7,500 feet of gain/loss) and the 25K (3,500 feet of gain/loss) climb through the scenic mountains surrounding Sky Valley up to Rabun Bald, the second-highest point in Georgia at 4,700 feet, passing alongside massive waterfalls and offering nonstop, wide-open views across three states. The 50K covers about 7,500 feet of elevation gain with an 11-hour cutoff, while the 25K brings roughly 3,500 feet of gain and a stricter 5.5-hour cutoff, making it a fast-downhill-focused course better suited to runners than hikers.

Each race explores the incredibly scenic mountains surrounding Sky Valley, Georgia, taking runners alongside massive waterfalls, up to the second highest point in Georgia, Rabun Bald, and through miles of serene trails full of peak Fall colors! There are nonstop wide-open views of three different states. If you are craving an unforgettable adventure with big views, epic fun, and beautiful trails that few know about, this is a race you should sign up for.

Information and registration: Georgia Sky to Summit

Thunder River Trail Races

Oct. 31, Cascade Locks, Oregon
50K, 25K

Set in the Columbia Gorge, Thunder River Trail Races offer a compact but dramatic waterfall experience. The course mixes steep punchy climbs with fast, flowing descents through dense, fern-covered forest. Numerous waterfalls and cascading creeks line the route, especially as runners descend toward river-level terrain. It’s a shorter but intense sampling of the same dramatic hydrological landscape that defines the region.

Information and registration: Thunder River Trail Races

Fall Creek 100

Nov. 21, Fall Creek, Tennessee
100 miles, 100K, 50K

These races give an up-close glimpse of Fall Creek Falls, one of the biggest and most visited parks in Tennessee. All distances take a suspension bridge over Cane Creek Falls, go by Millikan’s Overlook, take another suspension bridge over Piney Creek Falls, go by the overlook for the 256-foot namesake of the park (and within 40 yards of two more waterfalls), and finally spend 4 miles running right along the shoreline of Fall Creek Falls Lake.

It’s a really wonderful park that’s a lot of fun to run in. Pine forest; mossy, fern-lined tracks running along creeks; bridges; gentle, chill trail…it’s really cool. We’ve included as much as we can on the course.

Information and registration: Fall Creek 100

Cloudland Canyon Trail Races

Dec. 5-6, Rising Fawn, Georgia
50K, 13.1 miles, 25K, 5 miles

Held in Cloudland Canyon State Park, this race features dramatic canyon terrain with steep stair climbs, rocky descents, and technical singletrack. Runners pass waterfalls nestled deep within the canyon. The combination of vertical gain and scenery makes it a standout Southeastern race.

Billed as a run through “the land of waterfalls,” the courses wind along the West Rim Trail, Waterfalls Trail, and Sitton’s Gulch Trail, passing massive cascading falls, jaw-dropping valley overlooks, and a canyon plunge and climb near the finish. The trails are largely flat to rolling with a few short technical sections, making it a popular pick for first-time 50-milers or 50Ks despite around 4,000 feet of gain.

Information and registration: Cloudland Canyon Trail Races

2027 Races

Silver Falls Trail Challenge

Late Feb 2027, Sublimity, Oregon
13.1 miles, 12-mile Ruck, 6.55 miles

Few races immerse runners in waterfalls quite like Silver Falls. The event utilizes Oregon’s famous “Trail of Ten Falls,” where participants run beneath several roaring cascades and through mist-filled canyons. The shorter distances literally pass underneath waterfalls, while the longer races showcase multiple falls throughout the park.

The scenery includes towering curtains of water plunging into fern-lined amphitheaters, creating one of the most photogenic race experiences in North America.

Information and registration: Silver Falls Trail Challenge

StumpJump 50K

March 6, Signal Mountain, Tennessee
50K, 10 miles

The StumpJump 50K and 10 Miler offer runners a chance to tackle some of the Southeast’s most celebrated singletrack. Taking place near Signal Mountain outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee, these races feature rocky, technical trails with significant elevation gain. The course includes steep climbs, ridge traverses, and technical descents. Waterfalls and creek crossings add variety and visual interest. The terrain demands careful footing and strong climbing ability.

Both races wind through the rugged Cumberland Plateau with sweeping overlooks of the Tennessee River Gorge, sandstone outcrops, cascading streams, and forests of hemlock and rhododendron that make the scenery as memorable as the challenge. The 50K features roughly 95 percent singletrack and about 6,500 feet of elevation gain, combining steep climbs, technical rock gardens, and fast rolling sections into a demanding but rewarding ultramarathon. The 10-mile course offers a shorter taste of the same rugged terrain, with approximately 1,500 feet of climbing and enough technical trail to keep both newcomers and experienced trail runners engaged.

Information and registration: StumpJump 50K

The Georgia Death Race

March 27, Blairsville, Georgia
74 miles

Georgia Death Race.v3 — Photo courtesy of The Georgia Death Race

The Georgia Death Race is one of the Southeast’s premier ultramarathons, challenging runners with approximately 74 miles of rugged mountain trails through Georgia’s Chattahoochee National Forest. Featuring more than 13,000 feet of elevation gain, the point-to-point course follows sections of the Duncan Ridge and Benton MacKaye trails, combining relentless climbs, technical descents, and remote backcountry terrain. Waterfalls and cascading streams appear throughout the route. Held each spring, the race has earned a reputation as a demanding test of endurance, resilience, and mountain running skill while showcasing the scenic beauty of the southern Appalachians.

Information and registration: The Georgia Death Race

Zion Ultras

April 10, Virgin, Utah
100 miles, 100K, 50K

Held near Zion National Park, this race combines desert and mountain terrain. The course includes sand, slickrock, and technical singletrack. Seasonal waterfalls and canyon streams appear in certain sections. The contrast of red rock and water features creates a unique desert experience.

The Zion Ultras run across high-desert mesas, linking long stretches of singletrack, slickrock, and exposed desert trails. The courses are demanding, and the terrain ever-changing. Runners will experience long, sustained climbs, narrow rim sections, and sections with technical footing that will test mental fortitude. But what makes this race special is how nonstop the views are.

Starting and finishing from basecamp at Smithsonian Butte, the experience feels remote, expansive, and immersive from the very first step. Runners move through wide-open mesas with huge sightlines to Zion’s sandstone walls. West Temple. The Watchman. And the Virgin River far below. If you love a course that keeps you guessing while offering nonstop natural beauty, this one will stick with you.

Information and registration: Zion Ultras

Gorge Waterfalls

April 16-18, 2027, Cascade Locks, Oregon
100K, 50K, 30K

Set in the legendary Columbia River Gorge, Gorge Waterfalls links together one of the densest concentrations of waterfalls in North America. The point-to-point courses feature relentless climbing and descending on narrow, often technical singletrack, with stone steps, exposed edges, and mossy switchbacks. Runners pass iconic cascades like Multnomah Falls and dozens of lesser-known falls, often feeling spray and mist along the trail. The combination of constant vertical change and near-continuous waterfall exposure makes this one of the most visually immersive ultras in the country.

Perhaps the quintessential waterfall trail race in North America, Gorge Waterfalls traverses the lush trails of the Columbia River Gorge, passing numerous cascades tumbling off moss-covered basalt cliffs. Runners encounter iconic waterfalls such as Wahkeena Falls, Fairy Falls, and Multnomah-area viewpoints while navigating dramatic cliffside singletrack.

Information and registration: Gorge Waterfalls

Falling Water Ultras

Late April 2027, New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia
100K, 50K

Held each spring in the mountains of southern West Virginia, the Falling Water Ultras offers 50K and 100K races that immerse runners in the rugged landscape of the New River Gorge. Competitors complete a 15.5-mile circuit that winds through dense hardwood forest, crosses lively mountain streams, passes a multitude of waterfalls, and rewards the effort with dramatic overlooks above one of the country’s newest national parks.

Each lap includes about 2,400 feet of elevation gain, combining sustained climbs, rocky descents, creek crossings, and twisting singletrack into a course that demands both strength and sure-footedness. The 50K covers two loops, while the 100K extends the challenge to four laps, creating a true test of endurance. With its striking Appalachian scenery, well-supported aid stations, and friendly grassroots atmosphere, the Falling Water Ultras has become a favorite spring destination for trail and ultrarunners seeking a challenging early-season race.

Information and registration: Falling Water Ultras

Tillamook Burn

May 2027, Tillamook State Forest, Oregon
50 miles, 50K

Held in the lush Tillamook State Forest, this race features rugged coastal mountain terrain shaped by heavy rainfall. The course includes steep climbs, muddy descents, and root-laced singletrack that becomes increasingly technical in wet conditions. Seasonal waterfalls and cascading runoff appear throughout the route, especially after late-summer storms. The race blends physical difficulty with a raw, water-rich forest environment.

Information and registration: Tillamook Burn

Superior Spring Trail Races

Mid-May 2027
Lutsen, Minnesota

The Superior Spring Trail Races take place each May along Minnesota’s renowned Superior Hiking Trail, offering 25K, 50K, and 50-mile distances through the rugged terrain above Lake Superior. Runners navigate rocky singletrack, winding forest trails, stream crossings, and relentless climbs and descents while enjoying sweeping views of the North Shore. The combination of technical footing, unpredictable spring conditions, and scenic wilderness makes it an ideal early-season challenge for trail runners of all experience levels. Known for its welcoming community and spectacular setting, the event has become one of the Midwest’s signature trail races.

Information and registration: Superior Spring Trail Races

Cayuga Trails

Late May 2027, Ithaca, New York
50 miles, 50K

The Cayuga Trails races are held on the scenic trails of New Yorks’s Finger Lakes region. The courses weave through forests, cross wooden bridges, and pass dramatic gorges, dozens of waterfalls, and rocky overlooks while following portions of the renowned Finger Lakes Trail. A mix of smooth singletrack, rolling hills, and technical sections creates a rewarding challenge for runners chasing their first ultra or a fast finish. With its spectacular natural setting and enthusiastic local support, Cayuga Trails has become one of the Northeast’s premier spring trail running events.

Information and registration: Cayuga Trails

Elk Valley Ultra

July 25, Fernie, British Columbia, Canada
50K, 50K Youth Race

One of Canada’s premier mountain ultras, the Elk Valley Ultra takes runners through the dramatic landscapes surrounding Fernie, British Columbia. The course links together some of the area’s best singletrack, climbing over Mount Fernie, winding through old-growth forest, and traversing alpine ridgelines, wildflower meadows, alpine streams with views of waterfalls cascading down the surrounding slopes. With nearly 2,800 meters (about 9,200 feet) of elevation gain and loss, the race rewards runners with sweeping mountain vistas while testing their endurance on steep climbs, fast descents, and technical terrain. Renowned for its adventurous course and welcoming mountain-town atmosphere, the Elk Valley Ultra has become one of Western Canada’s premier trail running events.

Information and registration: Elk Valley Ultra

San Juan Solstice

June 2027, Lake City, Colorado
50 miles

The San Juan Solstice 50 Mile Run takes place near the historic mining town of Lake City, Colorado, leading runners through the heart of the San Juan Mountains on a spectacular high-altitude course. The route features long alpine climbs, rugged singletrack, wildflower-filled meadows, and expansive views from elevations topping 12,000 feet before descending back to town. With more than 11,000 feet of elevation gain, the race rewards strong mountain runners with a challenging yet unforgettable day in one of Colorado’s most scenic ranges. Its combination of high-country beauty, demanding terrain, and small-town hospitality has made San Juan Solstice a longtime favorite among trail and ultrarunners.

Information and registration: San Juan Solstice

Finger Lakes 50

July 2027, Hector, New York
50 miles, 50K, 26.2 miles

The Finger Lakes 50 trail races take place each summer in the Finger Lakes National Forest near Hector, New York, offering 25K, 50K, and 50-mile distances on a scenic loop course. Runners travel through a varied landscape of wooded singletrack, open meadows, rolling hills, and quiet dirt roads, with about 1,300 feet of elevation gain on each 16.5-mile circuit. The combination of runnable terrain, steady climbing, and peaceful forest scenery makes the event approachable for first-time ultrarunners while still providing a rewarding challenge for experienced competitors. Organized by the Finger Lakes Runners Club, the race is known for its welcoming atmosphere, enthusiastic volunteers, and long-standing tradition in the Northeast trail running community.

Information and registration: Finger Lakes 50