NPS / Cindy Jacoby Yosemite is home to countless waterfalls. The best time to see waterfalls is during spring, when most of the snowmelt occurs. Peak runoff typically happens in May or June, with some waterfalls (including Yosemite Falls) often only a trickle or completely dry by August. Storms in late fall rejuvenate some of the waterfalls and all of them accumulate frost along their edges many nights during the winter. As you approach a waterfall during high flow, you'll have a powerful experience complete with misty wind and booming water. But, the waterfalls at low flow have their own beauty and serenity. Be sure to stay on trails—the rock is extremely slick (even when dry) and the ciurrent in the river or creek is very powerful. Yosemite is home to so many waterfalls primarily as a result of glaciers. Rivers cut deep canyons, which glaciers later widened, steepened, and further deepened. Without glaciers, these same creeks and rivers would still exist, but would form shorter cascades as they tumbled down slopes (instead of cliffs). Below is an incomplete list of some of Yosemite's more famous waterfalls. While all but the last two of the waterfalls listed are in Yosemite Valley, Yosemite Valley and many other areas of the park have waterfalls both big and small. 
NPS / Cindy Jacoby Yosemite Falls2,245 feet / 740 m Flows: approximately November through July, with peak flow in May. Look for the ice cone at the base of the upper fall during winter and for roaring runoff April through June. Yosemite Falls, one of the world's tallest, is actually made up of three separate falls: Upper Yosemite Fall (1,430 feet), the middle cascades (675 feet), and Lower Yosemite Fall (320 feet). You can see Yosemite Falls from numerous places around Yosemite Valley, especially around Yosemite Village and Yosemite Valley Lodge. A one-mile loop trail leads to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall (the eastern side of the loop, from the shuttle stop to the base of the waterfall, is wheelchair accessible). It's also possible to hike to the top of Yosemite Falls as a strenuous, all-day hike (see a list of Valley day hikes).
NPS / Cindy Jacoby Sentinel FallsAbout 2,000 feet / 610 m Flows: approximately March through June, with peak flow in May. This waterfall is located on the south side of Yosemite Valley, just west of Sentinel Rock. It is comprised of multiple cascades, which range in height from 50 to 500 feet. You can see this waterfall from areas along Southside Drive near the Sentinel Beach Picnic Area, and near the Four Mile Trailhead. Alternatively, you can view it from across Yosemite Valley near Leidig Meadow, or while hiking the Yosemite Falls Trail. 
NPS / Cindy Jacoby Ribbon Fall1,612 feet / 490 m Flows: approximately March through June, with peak flow in May. You can see Ribbon Fall from the road as you drive into Yosemite Valley, just beyond the turn for Bridalveil Fall (parking is available in turnouts). 
Horsetail Fall1,000 feet Flows: approximately December through April. Horsetail Fall is famous for appearing to be on fire when it reflects the orange glow of sunset in mid- to late February. It falls off of the east side of El Capitan and is best seen from just east of El Capitan. To see Horsetail Fall, park at the El Capitan picnic area (on Northside Drive west of Yosemite Valley Lodge) or in turnouts just east of the picnic area. You can see the waterfall from the road. Some restrictions may be in place for Horsetail Fall viewing in February. 
NPS / Cindy Jacoby Bridalveil Fall620 feet / 190 m Flows: all year, with peak flow in May. This is often the first waterfall visitors see when entering Yosemite Valley. In spring, it thunders; during the rest of the year, look for its characteristic light, swaying flow. You can see Bridalveil Fall from near the tunnels on the Wawona Road (continuation of Highway 41) or Big Oak Flat Road (continuation of Highway 120) and from a signed parking lot on your way into Yosemite Valley. You can walk to the base via any of a few short trails (one of which is wheelchair accessible) in just a few minutes. 
Krystina Carpenter Nevada Fall594 feet / 180 m Flows: all year, with peak flow in late May or June. You can see Nevada Fall (from a distance) from Glacier Point. The road to Glacier Point is open approximately late May through sometime in November. A wheelchair-accessible trail is available to the viewpoint when the road is open. You can also hike beyond Vernal Fall to Nevada Fall on a steep trail (see a list of Valley day hikes). 
NPS / Cindy Jacoby Vernal Fall317 feet / 97 m Flows: all year, though by mid- to late summer, it narrows and separates into one, two, or three falls as water flows decrease; peaks in late May or June. You can see Vernal Fall (from a distance) from Glacier Point. The road to Glacier Point is open approximately late May through sometime in November. A wheelchair-accessible trail is available to the viewpoint when the road is open. You can also hike to Vernal Fall on a steep trail (see a list of Valley day hikes). 
NPS Illilouette Fall370 feet / 113 m Flows: all year, with peak flow in late May. While many hikers notice this waterfall as they're hiking toward Vernal Fall, the best place to see it is on the Panorama Trail, a few miles from Glacier Point (see a list of Valley day hikes). This waterfall is not visible from any road; it's only visible by hiking on steep trails. 
NPS Wapama Falls1,400 feet / 427 m Flows: all year, with peak flow in May. Relatively few people visit Hetch Hetchy Valley to see this roaring waterfall. You can see this waterfall from the parking lot at O’Shaughnessy Dam or you can hike on an uneven trail to near its base (see a list of Hetch Hetchy day hikes). 
NPS / Victoria Mates Chilnualna Fallsabout 2,200 feet / 670 m Flows: all year, with peak flow in May This waterfall, located in Wawona, hides behind twists and turns in the rock; it's impossible to see the entire fall at the same time. You can't see this waterfall from a road; the only way to see the fall is to hike to its top via a steep trail (see a list of Wawona day hikes). |
Last updated: November 26, 2024