Horsetail Falls, Alaska

Quick Facts

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Accessibility: 10/10 (easy)
Height: 330′ / 101 m
Length of Hike: Roadside

The Record

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Keystone Canyon in Alaska is a really beautiful drive as you’re headed toward (or away from) Valdez. If it’s raining, there are likely many ephemeral waterfalls in the canyon. I think it was drizzling as I drove through. The names of the main waterfalls in the canyon aren’t that unique, even though the falls themselves are beautiful. There’s Bridal Veil Falls, which is a really common name for a waterfall. There’s this waterfall, Horsetail Falls, another common name. And there is a third, larger waterfall that I didn’t see a name for, so I called it Keystone Canyon Falls.

At 330′ tall, it’s an impressive waterfall. It isn’t difficult to visit, but there might not be a whole lot of reasons to visit Valdez, though it is a nice town. The drive from Anchorage to Valdez is over 5 hours, even though the two aren’t that far apart. Some mountains and glaciers prevent a direct route. I decided to head that way to visit these falls and some others. I also took a cruise to see more falls and glaciers. Every time I’ve visited Alaska, I’ve done a day cruise to see the amazing coastline and wildlife, and it makes sense that cruise ships visit Alaska and make stops in cities like Valdez.

Directions

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1. There isn’t any other way to enter Valdez via road than on Alaska Route 4. From Anchorage, you’d follow AK-1 for a really long time to the junction of AK-4.
2. Turn right and head south on AK-4, and then after an hour or so, you’ll enter Keystone Canyon. It’s clearly signed. It’s hard to miss the different waterfalls.

Where in the World is Horsetail Falls?

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