Waterfall Hikes Near Sonora, CA

4,963 residents
Los Angeles Time Zone
34 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Looking for the best waterfalls to hike near Sonora? There are 34 waterfall hiking trails within a 50-mile radius of Sonora. 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 37.9819°N, -120.3828°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Sonora

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

33 of 34 gauged

33 waterfalls near Sonora have live flow data today

Bridalveil Fall Moderate Chinquapin Falls Moderate Foresta Falls Moderate Little Nellie Falls Moderate Ribbon Fall Moderate Silver Strand Falls Moderate Wildcat Falls Moderate The Cascades Moderate 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 Moderate Illilouette Falls Low Lehamite Falls Low Lower Yosemite Fall Low Nevada Fall Low Pywiack Cascade Low Royal Arch Cascade Low Sentinel Fall Low Silver Apron Low Yosemite Falls Low Vernal Fall Low Upper Yosemite Falls Low Staircase Falls Low Snow Creek Falls Low Jawbone Falls Moderate Preston Falls Barely Flowing Sardine Falls Moderate Wapama Falls Barely Flowing Tueeulala Falls Barely Flowing

Updated about 1 hour ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Today

Sunny · 73°F

Tod 73°F Sunny Best
Sat 77°F Sunny
Sun 76°F Sunny
Lab 81°F Sunny
Tue 84°F Sunny
Wed 83°F Chance Light Rain
Thu 84°F Chance Light Rain

Flowing best right now near Sonora

Updated about 2 hours ago

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

  1. 1 Sardine Falls Moderate · 36 cfs 53rd percentile
  2. 2 Cascade Falls Moderate · 15 cfs 44th percentile
  3. 3 Jawbone Falls Moderate · 16 cfs 36th percentile
  4. 4 Ribbon Fall Moderate · 31 cfs 32nd percentile
  5. 5 Silver Strand Falls Moderate · 31 cfs 32nd percentile
  6. 6 Wildcat Falls Moderate · 31 cfs 32nd percentile

Know when to go.

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

Find waterfalls to hike near Sonora

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

🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Sonora (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

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

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

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

Preston Falls waterfall

Preston Falls

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

Little Nellie Falls

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

All 34 Waterfalls Near Sonora

Jawbone Falls

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

Preston Falls

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

Tueeulala Falls

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

Wapama Falls

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

Rancheria Falls

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

Little Nellie Falls

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

Foresta Falls

27.1 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Easy
1.2 miles 200 ft
Wildcat Falls waterfall

Wildcat Falls

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

The Cascades

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

Waterwheel Falls

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

Chinquapin Falls

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

Le Conte Falls

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

California Falls

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

Ribbon Fall

29.7 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Silver Strand Falls waterfall

Silver Strand Falls

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

Bridalveil Fall

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

Yosemite Falls

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

Upper Yosemite Falls

30.9 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Hard
7.6 miles 2 ft
White Cascade waterfall

White Cascade

20.1 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
11.0 miles 800 ft
Lower Yosemite Fall waterfall

Lower Yosemite Fall

31.2 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Easy
1.0 miles 50 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Sonora

Are there free waterfalls near Sonora?

There are 9 free waterfalls near Sonora, including Bassi Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Sonora?

There are 7 easy waterfall hikes near Sonora, including Bassi Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Sonora?

There are 7 dog-friendly waterfalls near Sonora, including Bassi Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Sonora?

There are 26 kid-friendly waterfalls near Sonora, including Bassi Falls.

Can you swim in any waterfalls near Sonora?

There is 1 waterfall that allows swimming near Sonora, including Bassi Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Sonora?

The shortest waterfall hike near Sonora is Bassi Falls at 0.5 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Sonora?

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

Do any waterfalls near Sonora require permits?

Yes, 8 waterfalls near Sonora require a permit. Check individual trail pages for current permit details.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Sonora?

Yes, 34 waterfalls near Sonora have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Sonora?

The closest waterfall to Sonora is Jawbone Falls, approximately 18.7 miles away.

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Nearby Hot Springs

Hot springs near Sonora, California

Valley Springs

Valley Springs

29.1 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

57.7 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

58.2 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

68.7 mi

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

Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Sonora, 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

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

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