The best views are off the main drag.

Yes. Skip the packed overlooks near the falls and head down the Whirlpool Trail or Devil’s Hole Trail. Both are part of the state park and give you views most tourists never see.

The main loop along the rim is fine for a quick glance, but the real payoff is hiking down into the gorge. The Whirlpool Trail takes you right to the edge of the rapids—you can feel the spray and hear the water roar without fighting fifty selfie sticks. Devil’s Hole is steeper but quieter, with a massive stone staircase that leads to a rocky beach where you can sit and watch the river churn.

Neither of these is a hidden secret to locals, but they’re definitely off the typical bus