American Falls is a 25-foot cascade on the Snake River in Power County, Idaho, a natural waterfall altered by the dam that carries its name.
The falls
Water now reaches the old streambed only when it passes over the dam's spillways; during high water the falls are covered entirely. A lidar survey shows the current drop at about 25 feet, though the reading is unconfirmed.
Getting there
Idaho Power's free Tailwater Access sits below the dam on the west side, reached by Fish Hatchery Road, with a gravel road and parking area, a fence, a vault toilet, and a gravel path with stairs down to the water; the site is currently open. Trenner Park, run by the City of American Falls, offers a panoramic view of the dam and river. Bureau of Reclamation construction may limit parking near the dam's west wall, though the west beach stays open.
On site
Tailwater Access offers a below-dam viewpoint and fishing access from behind a fence. A predictable schedule for when water is spilled over the dam, along with swimming, pet and safety information at the falls, is not documented.
History and name
Before the dam was built, the natural falls may have been about 30 feet high.
Nearby
Lower Portneuf Falls is about 39.3 miles away, and Bristol Falls about 45.8 miles.
Distances are straight-line.