It’s waterfall season in Yosemite National Park! Spring is in its stride and the snowmelt means the waterfalls are flowing in full force. What better time to visit Yosemite and experience these natural wonders for yourself?
But with more than 25 waterfalls across the park’s 759,620 acres, it can be hard to narrow down which ones to visit on your Yosemite tour. That’s why Incredible Adventures has rounded up the top 10 waterfalls in Yosemite National Park for you to tick off your list!
As intrepid outdoors folk, we love nothing more than getting back to nature. Our Yosemite Day Tour from San Francisco takes you from the city to the great outdoors, including several of the park’s landmarks. Prepare for views of El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls, and more!
For more information about our Yosemite day tour, get in touch. Incredible Adventures has been offering travelers a safe and reliable way to connect with nature since 1993. As the Greenest Tour Company in San Francisco, we’ll show you North America with a minimal eco-footprint.
So, let’s take a look at the top 10 waterfalls of Yosemite National Park and help you plan your perfect visit.
1. Visit Yosemite Falls in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in Yosemite National Park. It is located in the eastern part of the park, near Yosemite Village. Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America, with a total height of 2,425 feet (739 meters).
The waterfall is divided into three sections: the Upper Fall, the Middle Cascade, and the Lower Fall. You can hike to the top of the waterfall for incredible views, or take a more leisurely stroll to the base of the waterfall for a closer look at its full majesty.
2. Hike to Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite National Park
Bridalveil Fall is located in the western part of Yosemite Valley, just a short distance from Yosemite Village. The waterfall is 620 feet (189 meters) tall and is known for its delicate mist, which gives it a romantic, ethereal quality.
Take a short hike to the base of the waterfall, where you’ll feel the cool mist on your skin and enjoy the valley’s full expanse.
3. Enjoy the View at Vernal Fall, Yosemite National Park
Vernal Fall is located in the eastern part of Yosemite Valley, near the Happy Isles Trailhead. The waterfall is 317 feet (97 meters) tall and is known for its powerful flow and thundering sound.
Hike to the top of the waterfall via the Mist Trail, which offers vistas of the waterfall and the surrounding valley.
4. Explore the Bends of Nevada Fall, Yosemite National Park
Nevada Fall is located downstream from Vernal Fall, also on the Mist Trail. The waterfall is 594 feet (181 meters) tall and is known for its wide flow. You’ll find Nevada Fall below Liberty Cap, the granite dome at the west end of Little Yosemite Valley.
You’ll instantly recognize this waterfall’s ‘bent shape’, where the water falls freely for the first third of its length, roughly, to a steep slick-rock slope.
5. Experience the Lesser Known Illilouette Fall, Yosemite National Park
Illilouette Fall is located in the southern part of Yosemite Valley, near Glacier Point Road, just across from Vernal Fall. The waterfall is 370 feet (113 meters) tall and is known for its isolated location and serene beauty.
6. Welcome Spring at Ribbon Fall, Yosemite National Park
Ribbon Fall is located on the eastern side of El Capitan, one of Yosemite’s most iconic landmarks. The waterfall is one of the tallest in the park, with a height of 1,612 feet (491 meters) that’s spectacular in spring.
You’ll be able to see the waterfall from various viewpoints along Tioga Road or take a longer hike to the base of the waterfall for a closer look.
7. Snap the Scenery at Horsetail Fall, Yosemite National Park
Horsetail Fall is located in the western part of Yosemite Valley, near El Capitan. The waterfall is 1,000 feet (305 meters) tall and is known for its stunning orange-red glow, which occurs during a few days in February when the setting sun hits the waterfall just right.
8. Discover Yosemite Creek Falls’ Beauty, Yosemite National Park
Yosemite Creek Falls is located in the northeastern part of Yosemite Valley, near Tioga Road. The waterfall is 1,430 feet (436 meters) tall and is known for its rugged beauty and powerful flow.
If you visit during the full moons of April and May, you may experience a ‘moonbow’, where the light refracts in the spray at Lower Yosemite Fall’s base to dazzling effect.
9. Retreat to Lehamite Falls, Yosemite National Park
Lehamite Falls is often overlooked compared to its park siblings. Located in the northern part of Yosemite National Park, near Tuolumne Meadows, this cascading waterfall is 1,180 feet (360 meters) tall and is known for its remote location.
10. Take a Dip in Chilnualna Falls, Yosemite National Park
Chilnualna Falls is located in the southern part of Yosemite National Park, near Wawona. This series of waterfalls totals 690 feet (210 meters) in height and is known for its pools and cascading flow.
The Chilnualna Falls Trail runs parallel to Chilnualna Creek, where you can take a dip in the gentle pools. There’s another swimming hole south of the trailhead on the South Fork of the Merced River, which is always popular with locals.
That concludes our virtual tour of these epic waterfalls. Which ones will you visit on your tour of Yosemite? Whether you’re a keen hiker or prefer a leisurely walk, or a relaxing swim, there are plenty of waterfalls to choose from.
We take in several of these landmarks on our Yosemite Day Tour from San Francisco, but if you’d like to find out more, just get in touch! We’re only an email away and can help curate the perfect nature excursion in Yosemite National Park. Until then, happy travels!
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