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Where to Find the Best Waterfalls in Yosemite?
No visit to Yosemite National Park is complete without an exploration of its spectacular waterfalls. Travelers from around the globe come to Yosemite for its lush alpine meadows, stunning granite cliffs, and the majestic cascades of water tumbling down into misty pools.
Each waterfall in the park has its own character and charm. Some are thundering and dramatic, others tumble from cliffs of more than a thousand feet, and a few showcase rare natural phenomena, like the orange glow of the so-called Firefall. The trails leading to these falls run the gamut from quiet and serene to challenging and rewarding – choose any to experience the breathtaking natural beauty and awe-inspiring vistas as you make your way to the cherished waterfalls of Yosemite.
1.Yosemite Falls
Discover Yosemite’s most iconic cascades
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The beloved Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America and an essential sight for any visitor to Yosemite National Park. At a staggering 2,425 feet, the falls are made up of 6 drops in 3 parts: Lower Yosemite Fall, Middle Cascades, and Upper Yosemite Fall. During peak flow in the spring and early summer, the falls roar with the immense volume of water plunging down the granite cliffs, creating a spectacular display of mist and spray.
The falls are visible from many points around Yosemite Valley, and a 1-mile loop trail takes you to the bottom of Lower Yosemite Falls. More experienced hikers should take on the demanding hike to Upper Yosemite Fall, which offers spectacular views of Yosemite Valley’s meadows, the winding Merced River, and the Half Dome in the distance.
2.Nevada Fall
White foam and huge spray at one of Yosemite’s most powerful falls
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Found along the famous Mist Trail, the turbulent Nevada Fall tumbles 594 feet onto a cluster of rocky boulders, creating a huge spray and foaming white water. The Mist Trail first takes you past Vernal Fall, and from there getting rockier and more challenging before finally arriving at Nevada Fall.
The hike is well worth it: you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of this powerful fall and the impressive granite peak which towers over its north side, Liberty Cap. From here, return back down the Mist Trail or follow the bridge over the Merced River for different scenery on your return journey via the John Muir Trail.
3.Tueeulala Falls
Fields of wildflowers, a mighty dam and thundering falls
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Tueeulala Falls is a tall, plunging waterfall along the Wapama Falls Trail. The best time to visit is around late May and early June when this highly seasonal waterfall is usually at its fullest and the trail is full of wildflowers. The trail is located in the Hetch Hetchy Valley, a remote area in the north part of Yosemite.
On your way to the falls, you’ll pass over the Dan O’Shaugnessy Dam and through an old train tunnel that was used for supply transport in the construction of the dam. If you follow the trail to its end, you’ll find yourself at Wapama Falls – thundering 1,400-foot falls in multiple tiers that sometimes flood the trails and are likely to spray passing hikers.
4.Vernal Falls
Catch a rainbow at this plunging waterfall on the Mist Trail
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Vernal Falls is 1 of 2 waterfalls on the Mist Trail, Yosemite’s signature hike. At the base of the fall is a large pool that the water plunges into, creating a misty spray where visitors can catch sight of a rainbow on a sunny day. More adventurous hikers will want to head to the top of the fall for a view straight down this 317-foot drop and then continue along the trail to see the thunderous Nevada Fall.
The Mist Trail follows the Merced River in eastern Yosemite Valley and offers spectacular views of granite cliffs, lush forests, and alpine meadows. If you visit in the spring when water levels peak, you can also glimpse Illilouette Fall from the first part of the trail.
5.Tuolumne Falls
A unique spectacle in quiet Tuolumne Meadows
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Head to Waterwheel Falls if you’re searching for a unique sight on picturesque trails without the Yosemite Valley crowds. Situated in Tuolumne Meadows, the hike to the falls will take you past stunning meadows and alpine lakes, all against a backdrop of towering granite peaks.
The falls get their name from the peculiar phenomenon that occurs as the water cascades down sloping rock formations. As it falls, the water is sometimes kicked high in the air, tumbling back over itself in the shape of a wheel – a striking, unusual sight worth your while.
6.Lehamite Falls
Pack a picnic to enjoy the sight of these underrated falls
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The lesser-known Lehamite Falls is often overshadowed by its neighbor, Yosemite Falls. Located in Indian Canyon near Yosemite Village, this hidden gem is a 1,180-foot stream that falls in a series of steep, slender cascades.
Best viewed from a distance, enjoy the sight of the falls and their surrounding granite cliffs from the quiet of picturesque Cook’s Meadow. Lehamite Falls is a seasonal waterfall that appears only after heavy rainfall or snowmelt, so visit in late April or May for your best chance at seeing it.
7.Sentinel Fall
A towering, tiered cascade next to Sentinel Rock
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The stunning Sentinel Fall is one of the tallest in Yosemite. Located on the south side of Yosemite Valley, this tiered waterfall cascades down from Pothole Meadows an impressive 1,920 feet. Visit in the spring and early summer months when this seasonal waterfall is at its most full.
Situated just west of its towering namesake Sentinel Rock, the fall is visible from a number of spots throughout Yosemite Valley. Glacier Point and the Yosemite Valley Loop Trail offer great views, and viewing from the Four-Mile Trailhead allows you to see the stair-like steps of the waterfall as it descends the cliff rock.
8.Illilouette Falls
An off the beaten path waterfall for thrill seekers
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Illilouette Falls is a hidden treasure for the adventurous. Situated in the remote and rugged Illilouette Creek Canyon, this striking waterfall tumbles off the granite cliffs in a full, dramatic cascade.
You’ll find the best view of the falls 2 miles in along the Panorama Trail, although note that the vertigo-inducing outlook point is not for the faint of heart. This challenging trail is worth the effort, starting out with a great shot of Half Dome from Glacier Point and offering stunning views of the surrounding wilderness throughout.
9.Horsetail Fall
Witness Yosemite’s enchanting Firefall
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Seeing the treasured spectacle at Horsetail Fall requires many stars to align. The natural phenomenon known as the “Firefall” happens for only a few days in February each year, when the setting sun on a clear day casts an orange light on the falling water, giving the effect of a stream of glowing lava falling from the dark granite.
Horsetail Fall drops 1,570 feet off the eastern edge of the legendary El Capitan in Yosemite Valley and is best viewed from just east of the El Capitan picnic area. If you manage to catch it, this is a sight you won’t soon forget.
10. Chilnualna Falls
Explore a lush mountain landscape
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Chilnualna Falls are a lesser-known wonder in the southern part of Yosemite. Although the falls have a total height of 690 feet, you won’t see it all at once – the falls twist and turn through rock formations in a series of 5 cascades, revealing themselves 1 section at a time throughout a lush, scenic hike.
Access the falls via the Chilnualna Falls Trail, a challenging 7.6-mile round trip with switchbacks and significant elevation gain. This picturesque trail passes through dense forests, crosses mountain creeks, and offers swimming holes where hikers can cool off on their trek to the top of the falls.
