Waterfall Hikes Near Columbia, CA

2,439 residents
Los Angeles Time Zone
28 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Looking for the best waterfalls to hike near Columbia? There are 28 waterfall hiking trails within a 50-mile radius of Columbia. These trails range from easy to moderate difficulty, providing options for both casual hikers and experienced adventurers looking to explore the region's natural beauty.

Located at 38.0333°N, -120.4096°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Columbia

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

28 of 28 gauged

1 of 28 waterfalls near Columbia is flowing strongly today

Bridalveil Fall Barely Flowing Chinquapin Falls Barely Flowing Foresta Falls Barely Flowing Little Nellie Falls Barely Flowing Ribbon Fall Barely Flowing Silver Strand Falls Barely Flowing Wildcat Falls Barely Flowing The Cascades Barely Flowing California Falls Barely Flowing Le Conte Falls Barely Flowing Rancheria Falls Barely Flowing White Cascade Barely Flowing Waterwheel Falls Barely Flowing Tuolumne Falls Barely Flowing Cascade Falls Barely Flowing Jawbone Falls Roaring Leavitt Falls Barely Flowing Sardine Falls Barely Flowing Lehamite Falls Barely Flowing Lower Yosemite Fall Barely Flowing Royal Arch Cascade Barely Flowing Sentinel Fall Barely Flowing Yosemite Falls Barely Flowing Upper Yosemite Falls Barely Flowing Staircase Falls Barely Flowing Preston Falls Barely Flowing Wapama Falls Barely Flowing Tueeulala Falls Barely Flowing

Updated 41 minutes ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Friday

Sunny · 86°F

Wed 86°F Sunny
Thu 84°F Sunny
Fri 86°F Sunny Best
Ind 92°F Sunny
Sun 92°F Mostly Sunny
Mon 92°F Sunny
Tue 91°F Sunny

Flowing best right now near Columbia

Updated about 1 hour ago

Ranked by live stream-gauge flow versus each waterfall's seasonal normal.

  1. 1 Jawbone Falls Roaring · 27 cfs 95th percentile
  2. 2 Preston Falls Barely Flowing · 147 cfs 2nd percentile
  3. 3 California Falls Barely Flowing · 198 cfs 1st percentile
  4. 4 Cascade Falls Barely Flowing · 53 cfs 1st percentile
  5. 5 Tueeulala Falls Barely Flowing · 132 cfs 1st percentile
  6. 6 Le Conte Falls Barely Flowing · 198 cfs 1st percentile

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Columbia hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Find waterfalls to hike near Columbia

Have your own travel site? Embed these waterfalls for free.

🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Columbia (7 waterfalls)

Easy access waterfalls are drive-up or short-walk friendly. Perfect for families, casual visitors, or anyone who loves waterfalls but is "so-so" about hiking.

Rancheria Falls waterfall

Rancheria Falls

3.1 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Easy
2.0 miles 200 ft

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Columbia (7 waterfalls)

Bring your four-legged friend along! These waterfalls welcome dogs on their trails.

Preston Falls waterfall

Preston Falls

10.7 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
8.0 miles 800 ft
Little Nellie Falls waterfall

Little Nellie Falls

37.4 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

All 28 Waterfalls Near Columbia

Jawbone Falls

38.5 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Preston Falls waterfall

Preston Falls

10.7 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
8.0 miles 800 ft
Tueeulala Falls waterfall

Tueeulala Falls

3.1 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
5.0 miles 200 ft
Wapama Falls waterfall

Wapama Falls

2.9 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
4.0 miles 350 ft
Rancheria Falls waterfall

Rancheria Falls

3.1 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Easy
2.0 miles 200 ft
Little Nellie Falls waterfall

Little Nellie Falls

37.4 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Foresta Falls waterfall

Foresta Falls

37.1 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Easy
1.2 miles 200 ft
Cascade Falls waterfall

Cascade Falls

46.4 miles away
California
Easy
1.4 miles 200 ft
Wildcat Falls waterfall

Wildcat Falls

3.3 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
The Cascades waterfall

The Cascades

3.3 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Easy
1.4 miles 200 ft
Waterwheel Falls waterfall

Waterwheel Falls

In Yosemite National Park
California
Hard
18.0 miles 2 ft
Chinquapin Falls waterfall

Chinquapin Falls

28.4 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Le Conte Falls waterfall

Le Conte Falls

30 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
California Falls waterfall

California Falls

In Yosemite National Park
California
Hard
15.0 miles 2 ft
Ribbon Fall waterfall

Ribbon Fall

1 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Sardine Falls waterfall

Sardine Falls

38.7 miles away
California
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Silver Strand Falls waterfall

Silver Strand Falls

22.7 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Bridalveil Fall waterfall

Bridalveil Fall

38.9 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Easy
0.5 miles 80 ft
Yosemite Falls waterfall

Yosemite Falls

22.2 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Hard
7.2 miles 2,700 ft
Upper Yosemite Falls waterfall

Upper Yosemite Falls

22.2 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Hard
7.6 miles 2 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Columbia

Are there free waterfalls near Columbia?

There are 9 free waterfalls near Columbia, including Cascade Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Columbia?

There are 7 easy waterfall hikes near Columbia, including Bridalveil Fall.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Columbia?

There are 7 dog-friendly waterfalls near Columbia, including Cascade Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Columbia?

There are 21 kid-friendly waterfalls near Columbia, including Bridalveil Fall.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Columbia?

The shortest waterfall hike near Columbia is Bridalveil Fall at 0.4 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Columbia?

The tallest waterfall near Columbia is Yosemite Falls at 2,425 feet.

Do any waterfalls near Columbia require permits?

Yes, 6 waterfalls near Columbia require a permit. Check individual trail pages for current permit details.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Columbia?

Yes, 28 waterfalls near Columbia have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Columbia?

The closest waterfall to Columbia is Jawbone Falls, approximately 19.7 miles away.

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Nearby Hot Springs

Hot springs near Columbia, California

Valley Springs

Valley Springs

25.4 mi 75°F

Valley Springs flows at 75 degrees just 21 feet from the road in Calaveras County, delivering readily accessible warmth in Cali...
Grovers Hot Springs

Grovers Hot Springs

56.4 mi 147°F

Grovers Hot Springs emerges at a powerful 147 degrees Fahrenheit in Toiyabe National Forest, displaying a remarkable 100-degree...

Grover Hot Springs State Park

56.8 mi

Grover Hot Springs State Park operates a developed pool complex fed by natural thermal waters at 5,921 feet elevation in Dougla...

Unnamed Spring Lyon County

67.3 mi

This unnamed warm spring emerges in Lyon County, Nevada near Smith Valley at 5,019 feet elevation, sitting virtually roadside j...

Salt Grass Springs

67.4 mi 73°F

Salt Grass Springs emerges at 73°F in the rolling foothills of Stanislaus County near Patterson, providing modest thermal warmt...

Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Columbia, California on SoakingSprings.

Explore California springs

Where to Stay

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Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
RV Rentals Outdoorsy

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