Shoshone Falls

Shoshone Falls drops 212 feet over a basalt rim nearly 1,000 feet wide in the high desert of southern Idaho, earning its nickname as the "Niagara of the West" and offering a dramatic contrast between raw geological power and the surrounding canyon landscape. The main overlook gives you a broad, wide-angle view of the full horseshoe-shaped curtain of water, but walk the paths to the lower viewing areas for tighter compositions and mist-filled foregrounds. A wide-angle lens handles the full span well, while a telephoto lets you isolate sections of the falls against the dark basalt walls. Late spring, typically April through June, brings peak flow after snowmelt; by late summer the falls can slow to a trickle, so check water release schedules before visiting. Morning light falls directly onto the face of the falls and minimizes harsh shadows in the canyon. There is a small parking fee to enter the park. (Twin Falls, Idaho, United States)