Yosemite National Park is best known for the magnificent Yosemite waterfalls, attracting visitors from near and far with its natural beauty.
Located in the state of California in the Tuolumne, Mariposa and Medera counties, Yosemite National Park is also filled with awe-inspiring granite cliffs and streams that sparkle in the sunlight, along with its natural flora and fauna.
If you are paying a visit to the National Park, you will most definitely want to pay a visit to Yosemite’s waterfalls. To help you plan your visit, here’s a guide to the waterfalls at Yosemite National Park, from the very well-known ones to those that are less well known.
Guide to Yosemite Iconic Waterfalls
Yosemite Falls – flowing until July
Fast Facts
- Height: 2,425 feet
- Region: Yosemite Valley
- Flow: November to July, peak in May/June
Yosemite Falls is famous for being the highest waterfall in North America. It is also the sixth tallest waterfall in the world.
The falls are made up of two cascades – the upper cascade and the lower cascade. When combined, the two cascades are together nearly twice the height of New York City’s Empire State Building.
With its height over 2,400 feet, Yosemite Falls visible from many vantage points around the Yosemite Valley.
Many visitors to Yosemite National Park will attempt the one-mile loop trail that goes to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall. This trail is accessible year-round and also wheelchair friendly.
For the more intrepid adventurers, the full Yosemite Falls Trail beckons. However, the Yosemite Falls Trail is more more demanding and is suited for stronger hikers who are willing to do the full trek. The trailhead for this starts along the Valley Loop Trail and leads all the way to the top of the Yosemite Falls. The upper section of the trail is steep and rocky, hence only recommended for stronger hikers.
You can watch a webcam showing a live view of the Yosemite Falls here.
Bridalveil Fall
Fast Facts
- Height: 620 feet
- Region: Yosemite Valley
- Flow: Year-round, peaks in May
Bridalveil Fall is the first waterfall that most visitor to Yosemite National Park visitors see. The stunning falls welcomes visitors as they enter Yosemite Valley from Highway 140 or Highway 41.
Bridalveil Fall can vary from a thunderous spring flow to a gently swaying wisp by season’s end.
A draw of Bridalveil Fall is its ease of access. There is a newly-renovated, paved trail to the base of the fall and it is wide, wheelchair accessible and pet-friendly.
Nevada Fall
Fast Facts
- Height: 594 feet
- Region: Yosemite Valley
- Flow: Year-round, peaks late May
Nevada Fall offers spectacular views from the top where a footbridge crosses over the Merced River.
If you take a hike between Vernal and Nevada falls, you will pass a pair of beautiful pools – Emerald and Silver Apron pools.
In late spring, you may be able to see Nevada Fall in full force as the Merced River tumbles down toward Yosemite Valley.
Yosemite’s Lesser-Known Waterfalls
Horsetail Fall
Fast Facts
- Region: Yosemite Valley
- Drop: 2,030 ft (619 m), two-stage
- Best Time To See: December-April
Horsetail Fall is where the annual phenomenon of Yosemite Firefall takes place during the month of February. It requires a good snowpack to flow.
When conditions allow Horsetail Fall appears as a plummeting cataract of flames. Photographers from all over the world come to capture this unique phenomenon.
Chilnualna Falls
Fast Facts
- Region: Wawona (Southern Yosemite)
- Drop: 690 ft (210 m), multiple tiers
- Best Time To See: Year-round, with peak flow in May
Chilnualna Falls (“Chil-noo-all-na”) is one of the less visited Yosemite waterfalls. It only gets a fraction of the visitors compared to falls in Yosemite Valley.
The Chilnualna Falls weaves through forested sections offering views of Wawona Dome above and the village of Wawona below. A visit to Chilnualna Falls is perfect for those looking to get off the beaten path. It is located away from main roads and tucked back into the small community of Wawona.
Foresta Falls
Fast Facts
- Region: Foresta (near Yosemite Valley)
- Drop: Multiple cascades with a 40 ft (12 m) finale
- Best Time To See: Year-round, with best flows March-June
Foresta is found just six miles from Yosemite Valley. However, few visitors venture out to explore this area and its fascinating past.
Those who do will be rewarded with an easy 1.8 mile out and back trail to Foresta Falls. This trail is actually a decommissioned dirt road with views of several tumbling cascades as it descends down a 40 ft (12 m) drop.
Look out for the ramshackle bridge that provides a convenient platform for up-close views and photographs.
Another stop that visitors to Forest Falls should make is to the Meyer and McCauley Barns in the big meadow in Foresta. The barns are on the US Register of Historic Places and are a reminder of Yosemite’s place in the early pioneering days when settler headed out west.
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