Horsetail Falls

The lovely cascade plunges down a 300-foot cliff inside Keystone Canyon near Valdez only a few yards from a large, paved pullout. The falls—which fan out a bit over the bedrock at higher flows—can be approached on foot. Along with Bridal Veil Falls, located a few hundred yards away, Horsetail is one of many snow-fed cataracts within the three-mile-long canyon, just up the Richardson Highway from town. In winter, these falls freeze into immense ropey curtains that draw ice climbers from all over the world.

Best Viewing Spot

The Horsetail parking area is on the west side of the Richardson highway at about Mile 13.5.

Getting There

Coordinates
Latitude: 61.067448
Longitude: -145.906658

From Valdez, drive east from town to the beginning of Keystone Canyon about Mile 13 of the Richardson Highway. From Anchorage, drive northeast on the Glenn Highway about 180 miles to Glennallen, then south on the Richardson Highway about 100 miles to the canyon.

Driving Directions

Photos