5 Stunning Frozen Waterfalls Around The World

Waterfalls are sought-after destinations in the summer. Hike to one, and the cascading falls are a reward: They’re not just mesmerizing; the mist will cool you down. But waterfalls also put on a spectacular and almost other-worldly show in the winter months when their falls freeze in time.

Here are five of the most beautiful frozen waterfalls around the world — spanning from a national park in Croatia to a forested tourist destination in China — that just might convince you they’re even more captivating in the wintertime.

Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia

The Plitvice Lakes National Park turns into a winter wonderland each year, with icy blue waterfalls that are mostly frozen and a snow-blanketed forest. Thank Mother Nature for creating this spectacle — waters flowing over limestone over thousands of years have helped carve out lakes, caves and waterfalls. The national park in central Croatia has earned a coveted spot on the UNESCO World Heritage register. In all, the park has 16 lakes and more than five times as many waterfalls.

Godafoss Waterfall in Iceland

Not only are the falls at this Icelandic destination intriguing, so too are their history. Legend has it that when Iceland adopted Christianity as its official religion in the year 1000, Thorgeir Thorkelsson, a pagan priest and the Law Speaker of the Icelandic Parliament, converted to the religion. As a show of commitment to his new faith, he threw idols of the old Norse gods into the waterfalls. Today, Godafoss translates to “waterfalls of the gods,” and the semicircle arch of cascading falls provides stunning panoramic views. The waterfalls from Godafoss fall from 39 feet, and are nearly 100 feet wide. This spot in northern Iceland is considered part of the Diamond Circle sightseeing route.

Apostle Islands Ice Caves in Wisconsin

Waves along Lake Superior, plus a pattern of freezing and thawing over the course of centuries, sculpted the shorelines throughout the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, made up of a chain of 21 islands. Mother Nature has carved out arches and passageways in cliffs, making the lakeshore a sought-after destination in both the summer and winter. In winter, though, when Lake Superior freezes over, the result, as the National Park Service describes it, is a “fairyland of needle-like icicles.” Visiting the caves is reliant on an adequate freeze, and you can check Apostle Islands National Lakeshore's Facebook page for the most up-to-date information.

Yuntai Mountain in Jiaozuo in China’s Henan Province

A 59,000-acre park in the Xiuwu County of the Henan Province, Yuntai Mountain is geographically blessed with a forest, hundreds of exotic flowers, rare herbs, plus mountains, waterfalls, gorges and lakes throughout. Here, the partially frozen waterfalls create a serene winter scene.

Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Proving regional parks are just as deserving of adoration as national parks, Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis has a majestic 53-foot waterfall that commands attention, as well as limestone bluffs. The frozen water here has created a beautiful blue and green ombré effect. Its name traces to the 1855 poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “The Song of Hiawatha.”