When you think back to what first drew your interest to Yosemite, what comes to mind? Was it the awe inspiring granite monoliths? The breathtaking sunsets. The fascinating wildlife. Chances are it was a combination of all of these.
There are endless reasons to love this beautiful National Park, but for many, the main attraction will always be the world-famous Yosemite waterfalls.
While most visitors are satisfied with showing up and capturing a few photos, I know that if you’re reading this, you must be looking for something more.
That’s why I created this guide. To help you experience a side of Yosemite most will never see. By the end you’ll not not only know exactly where to go, when to visit, and how to avoid the biggest crowds. You’ll leave with tons of stories about Yosemite’s waterfalls to share with all your friends and family.
If that sounds good to you, then it’s time to dive in and explore the magic of Yosemite together!
Bridalveil Fall
Water Flow: Year-round (strongest in spring & early summer)
Hike Distance: 0.5 miles round-trip (easy, paved)
Best Photo Spot: Early morning light or Inspiration Point for a bird’s-eye view
Have you ever felt completely humbled by nature? That’s what you’ll feel at the base of Bridalveil Fall, as you watch it send 18,000 pounds (8,164 kilograms) of water down every second, during late spring and early summer. Much of that water dissipates into mist on the way down, spreading out to resemble a bride’s veil, the source of its romantic name.
According to an ancient Ahwahneechee legend, the original inhabitants of Yosemite Valley, the mist is home to Pohono. A powerful spirit sent to guard the fall. Pohono is meant to watch over the valley and those who dwell in it, but also, to fiercely guard the waterfall from those who would disrespect it. Cautionary tales were passed down of those who ventured too close to its edge. Pohono would dazzle them with beautiful rainbows, enticing them to peak over the rim, before sending powerful gusts of wind to sweep them over. Whether or not you believe in a powerful guardian spirit, the rocks near the falls are extremely slippery, and visitors are advised to approach with respect and awe.
This waterfall is one of the first to greet eager travelers and its easy access makes it incredibly popular to visit. It's an easy walk from the Bridalveil parking lot to the main viewing area. If you want to get closer, take the .5-mile round-trip paved trail that leads to its base. Once there, you can feel the mist from the falls and capture fantastic photos.
The best time to visit Bridalveil is in late spring, but it typically flows in every season thanks to the wetland area above it which absorbs rain and snow in the winter, releasing it gradually over the year.
To avoid the biggest crowds and enjoy an epic, birds-eye view, head to the Inspiration Point trailhead. It starts out steep, deterring more timid hikers, but after about a half-mile in it levels out. At the top you’ll find incredible views of Bridalveil Fall, El Capitan, and Half Dome without having to battle the crowds.
Expert Tips:
🌞 Visit at sunrise for the best lighting
🚗 Park at Bridalveil lot or take shuttle bus #8
📸 Bring lens cleaning cloth for mist
🎯 GPS Coordinates: 37.7167° N, 119.6457° W
Yosemite Falls
Water Flow: Strongest in May-June, often dry by late summer
Hike Distance: Lower Falls Trail: 1 mile (1.6 km) round-trip. Easy, paved. Upper Falls Trail: 7.2 miles (11.5 km) round-trip. Strenuous, 2,700 ft elevation gain
Best Photo Spot: Cook’s Meadow Loop for reflections; Glacier Point for a full view
Whether you’re seeing it for your first time, or your hundredth, Yosemite Falls is guaranteed to take your breath away. It’s one of the most iconic landmarks in the world and something that has dazzled visitors for generations.
In the 1850’s, after becoming one of the first non-natives to ever set foot in Yosemite, a man by the name of Lafayette H. Bunnell approached a publisher, sharing his story of a 1,000 foot waterfall nestled deep in the Sierra Nevada. The publisher suggested cutting that number in half to make it more believable. Turns out, the true number was over twice that height.
Measuring over 2,400 feet from the top down to its base, Yosemite Falls has drawn thousands of travelers to marvel at its height.
Adventurous hikers can take the strenuous Yosemite Falls Trail to the top of the falls for a sense of its immense scale. The second half of which turns into nature’s stairmaster. For a short and easy hike, head out on the Lower Falls Trail. It leads to the base of the Lower Falls where you'll hear the roar of the cascades and feel its mist.
To see the falls at their most powerful, you'll want to visit in late May to early June. By August, it may be dry out completely. If you’re traveling during peak season, it’s best to visit the falls on a weekday, and plan to arrive by 7 a.m. to avoid crowds. Parking is available at the Yosemite Falls Parking Area near Yosemite Valley Lodge. You can also park at Yosemite Village and combine the lovely Cooks Meadow Loop with the Lower Yosemite Falls Trailhead.
So hit the trail and get ready for the time of your life, because if standing at the base of the tallest waterfall in North America doesn’t make you feel alive, it might be time to check your pulse.
Expert Tips:
🌞 Sunrise & late afternoon offer the best lighting
🚗 Park at Yosemite Falls Parking or Yosemite Village
📸 Bring a zoom lens to capture details from afar
🎯 GPS Coordinates: 37.7579° N, 119.5976° W
Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall
Water Flow: Year-round (strongest in spring & early summer)
Hike Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km) round-trip to Vernal Fall. Steep, Mist Trail. 5.4 miles (8.7 km) to Nevada Fall.
Best Photo Spot: Footbridge for a framed view; Summit for an epic downward shot
If you’re looking for pure adventure, the hike to Vernal and Nevada Falls is calling your name. This isn’t a waterfall you simply admire from a distance. It makes you part of the action.
The hike begins along the Mist Trail and takes you on a steep 1.5 mile (2.4 km) journey to the top. If you visit during peak flow the Mist Trail will definitely be living up to its name. As you near the end of this hike the fall welcomes you with a powerful mist that will make you feel like you’re in the front row at SeaWorld.
Above the fall you will find the Emerald Pool. A small, shallow lake with a deep green color from the algae growing on its rocks. Above that you will find the Silver Apron. A smooth granite slope which some hikers will (illegally) use as a water slide. The National Park hands out strict fines for would-be swimmers, as many have been swept over the fall. Be smart, stay alive, and stay out of the pool.
As with most Yosemite waterfalls, the best time to visit Vernal Fall is in the spring or early summer. Despite the lower water flow, many visit in the summer which means the trail often gets quite crowded. Arrive as early as possible for a more relaxed experience. In autumn, there won't be as many hikers around and you can marvel at the fall colors.
The Mist Trail begins at the Happy Isles trailhead. Located at the far eastern end of Yosemite Valley, there is no parking area right here but it's an easy half-mile walk from the nearest lot. Or, you can catch a free shuttle bus that will take you right to the trailhead.
The Mist Trail will also take you to Nevada Fall with another 1.5-mile rocky trek with lots of switchbacks. When you reach Vernal Fall simply continue hiking until you reach the 594-foot-high Nevada Fall. You'll enjoy lots of outstanding photo opportunities, especially in the spring and early summer when it's at its most powerful. Enjoy a closer view by heading to the footbridge crossing the Merced River just above.
Essential Gear:
⛰️ Hiking boots with excellent traction
🧥 Rain jacket and quick-dry clothes
🥾 Trekking poles recommended
🎒 Water and snacks
Wapama Fall
Water Flow: Year-round (most powerful during spring snowmelt)
Hike Distance: 5 miles (8 km) round-trip (moderate)
Best Photo Spot: Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Trail overlooking the bridge
Located in Hetch Hetchy Valley just outside the Big Oak Flat entrance to Yosemite National Park, Wapama Falls is a dramatic sight with a total drop of roughly 1,100 feet, flowing over a granite cliff. It will be most impressive during the spring snowmelt while providing a much less crowded hiking experience. You can access it from the Wapama and Rancheria trailhead. It's a 2.5-mile trek each way along the Hetch Hetchy Trail, following the reservoir shoreline, and you'll also enjoy a fabulous view of the dam, including the outlet channels where jets of water shoot out. Early in the morning rainbows often appear in the mist.
The trail will get you relatively close to the falls with scenic views the entire way. As you approach, you'll see several viewpoints right along the trail, with the best from the rocky outcrop at the base. Late spring and early summer are the best times of the year to visit. If you go too early in the spring the water level can be so high that the streams that cross the trail close it or make it challenging to cross. This is also when you'll see pops of color across the landscapes with many different types of wildflowers, including the bright orange California poppy, lupine, and fuchsia.
The Wapama Falls trailhead is located right across from the O'Shaughnessy Dam on Hetch Hetchy Road and through the tunnel. There are two parking lots, one about a quarter-mile walk from the trailhead and one just after. While this is one of the less visited falls in the Yosemite area, you'll enjoy an even more peaceful hike early in the morning but you'll have to wait until sunrise when the entrance gate opens.
Expert Tips:
🌞 Mornings offer beautiful mist and rainbows
🚗 Park at O'Shaughnessy Dam, trail starts just past the tunnel
🥾 Trail can flood in early spring—check conditions before hiking
🎯 GPS Coordinates: 37.9501° N, 119.7877° W
Illilouette Fall
Water Flow: Year-round (strongest in spring)
Hike Distance: 4 miles (6.4 km) round-trip via Panorama Trail (moderate)
Best Photo Spot: Panorama Trail for a distant view of the falls & Half Dome
Illilouette Fall is a secluded, approximately 370-foot-high waterfall along Illilouette Creek, a tributary of the Merced River. It's nestled in a canyon directly across from Vernal Fall while bringing outstanding views of some of the eastern landmarks in Yosemite Valley, including Royal Arches, the back of Half Dome, North Dome, and both Vernal and Nevada Falls. Illilouette Basin Trail is 2 miles (3.2 km) each and starts from the Glacier Point Road area. It meanders through lush forest along the banks of the creek with multiple granite benches for resting and reflecting along the way.
You'll see Illilouette at its peak in the spring thanks to the snowmelt, but this is a pleasant hike in the summer with picturesque views and wildflowers blooming along the trail. Early fall brings views of vivid autumn colors but the water flow will be significantly diminished. The trail usually doesn't get too crowded although you'll probably see other hikers, especially during the peak visitor season.
To get here you'll drive Glacier Point Road, traveling 16 miles from the turnoff. A large parking lot is available at Glacier Point with a space usually available although the earlier you arrive the more likely it is you'll find one.
Expert Tips:
🌞 Morning light is best for contrast on the falls
🚗 Park at Glacier Point or take the Four Mile Trail from Yosemite Valley
🥾 One of Yosemite’s less crowded waterfall hikes
🎯 GPS Coordinates: 37.7164° N, 119.5528° W
Ribbon Fall
Water Flow: Seasonal Flows only in spring, dries by mid-summer
Hike Distance: No official trail—best viewed from Yosemite Valley
Best Photo Spot: El Capitan Meadow or Valley View
Ribbon Fall is most notable for being the tallest single-drop waterfall in North America with a total drop of more than 1,600 feet. The impressive height of this waterfall gives it a ribbon-like appearance as it flows down the sheer granite face. You can see it from the Yosemite Valley Viewpoint, but it will be a distant view. Still, it's worth taking in with the surrounding landscape particularly stunning at sunrise and sunset with a warm glow on the cliffs.
El Capitan Meadow provides an excellent view, especially during the late afternoon hours when the light hits it just right. The meadow also provides a great view of the Cathedral Spires looming overhead, along with the Lower and Middle Cathedral Rock. You can also see it while walking the paths along the Merced River, with the water sometimes reflecting the cascade when the flow is strong.
The path into El Capitan Meadow is dirt, with some limited parking along the road. You might want to take the free Valleywide shuttle bus instead, getting off at stop No. 9. Once again the flow will be most powerful when snowmelt feeds it in the spring.
Expert Tips:
🌞 Sunset light makes the granite walls glow behind the falls
🚗 Park at Valley View or El Capitan Meadow pullout
📸 This is the tallest single-drop waterfall in North America (1,612 ft)
🎯 GPS Coordinates: 37.7262° N, 119.6352° W
Sentinel Falls
Water Flow: Seasonal: Best in May, dries by late summer
Hike Distance: Viewable from Southside Drive or Sentinel Dome Trail (2.2 miles round-trip)
Best Photo Spot: Sentinel Dome Trail for a wide panoramic shot
Made up of multiple cascades ranging in height from 50 to 500 feet with a total drop of nearly 2,000 feet, Sentinel Fall is just west of Sentinel Rock on the south side of Yosemite Valley. It can be seen from Southside Drive near the Four Mile Trailhead and Sentinel Beach Picnic Area, as well as when hiking the Yosemite Falls Trail. But one of the best perspectives can be found on the Sentinel Dome Trail off Glacier Point Road. The 1.1-mile (1.7 km) route each way delivers one of Yosemite's most impressive panoramic views. From Glacier Point, you'll enjoy a breathtaking vista of Yosemite Valley with a distant view of Sentinel Falls.
Spring, and most notably May, is the best time to see Sentinel Falls at its fullest, although it will still be flowing in the summer before diminishing significantly by early autumn. The parking lot for the Sentinel Dome trailhead is about six miles after the Glacier Point Road turn-off on your left. Parking on the side of the road is possible if the lot is full but if you arrive early you're likely to find a space.
Expert Tips:
🌞 Afternoon light is best for seeing full cascades
🚗 Park along Southside Drive or Glacier Point Road
🥾 Great addition to a Glacier Point visit
🎯 GPS Coordinates: 37.7163° N, 119.6147° W
Horsetail Falls & the Firefall
Finally, Horsetail Falls is worth at least a mention. Flowing over the eastern edge of El Capitan, it's a small cascade that typically flows only during the wintertime, with most visitors missing it. However, from mid to late February, it becomes the famous Yosemite Firefall, when conditions are right. A unique lighting effect occurs causing it to glow orange at sunset, looking as if lava is flowing down the cliff. As this is on many travelers' bucket lists, I've created an entire Yosemite Firefall 2025 guide for viewing.
Going beyond this "waterfall safari," you'll find lots of other helpful information on our website for planning your trip to Yosemite, along with options for naturalist-led hiking tours starting in the spring of 2025.
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