Waterfall Hikes Near Yosemite Valley, CA

1,737 residents
Los Angeles Time Zone
50 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Looking for the best waterfalls to hike near Yosemite Valley? There are 50 waterfall hiking trails within a 50-mile radius of Yosemite Valley. 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 37.7407°N, -119.5779°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Yosemite Valley

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

45 of 50 gauged

2 of 45 waterfalls near Yosemite Valley are flowing strongly today

Bridalveil Fall Low Chilnualna Fall Low Chinquapin Falls Low Foresta Falls Low Little Nellie Falls Low Ribbon Fall Low Silver Strand Falls Low Wildcat Falls Low The Cascades Low Bunnell Cascade Moderate Illilouette Falls Moderate Lehamite Falls Moderate Lower Yosemite Fall Moderate Nevada Fall Moderate Pywiack Cascade Moderate Royal Arch Cascade Moderate Sentinel Fall Moderate Silver Apron Moderate Yosemite Falls Moderate Vernal Fall Moderate Upper Yosemite Falls Moderate Staircase Falls Moderate Snow Creek Falls Moderate California Falls Moderate Le Conte Falls Moderate Rancheria Falls Moderate White Cascade Moderate Waterwheel Falls Moderate Tuolumne Falls Moderate Cascade Falls Barely Flowing Horsetail Falls Barely Flowing Jawbone Falls Barely Flowing Leavitt Falls Barely Flowing Sardine Falls Barely Flowing Silver Falls Barely Flowing Lower Rainbow Falls Barely Flowing Minaret Falls Barely Flowing Rainbow Falls Barely Flowing Twin Falls Barely Flowing Preston Falls Moderate Wapama Falls Strong Tueeulala Falls Strong

Updated about 1 hour ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Monday

Sunny · 72°F

Tue 76°F Mostly Sunny
Wed 77°F Mostly Sunny
Thu 77°F Mostly Sunny
Fri 75°F Sunny
Sat 74°F Sunny
Sun 73°F Sunny
Mon 72°F Sunny Best

Flowing best right now near Yosemite Valley

Updated about 3 hours ago

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

  1. 1 Wapama Falls Strong · 120 cfs 81st percentile
  2. 2 Tueeulala Falls Strong · 120 cfs 81st percentile
  3. 3 Preston Falls Moderate · 120 cfs 68th percentile
  4. 4 White Cascade Moderate · 49 cfs 59th percentile
  5. 5 California Falls Moderate · 49 cfs 59th percentile
  6. 6 Waterwheel Falls Moderate · 49 cfs 59th percentile

Know when to go.

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

Find waterfalls to hike near Yosemite Valley

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Yosemite Valley (11 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.

Lower Yosemite Fall waterfall

Lower Yosemite Fall

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

All 50 Waterfalls Near Yosemite Valley

Staircase Falls waterfall

Staircase Falls

39.8 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Royal Arch Cascade waterfall

Royal Arch Cascade

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

Lehamite Falls

38.6 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Lower Yosemite Fall waterfall

Lower Yosemite Fall

30.8 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Easy
1.0 miles 50 ft
Sentinel Fall waterfall

Sentinel Fall

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

Upper Yosemite Falls

31 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Hard
7.6 miles 2 ft
Yosemite Falls waterfall

Yosemite Falls

40.7 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Hard
7.2 miles 2,700 ft
Vernal Fall waterfall

Vernal Fall

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

Illilouette Falls

28.4 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
4.0 miles 600 ft
Silver Apron waterfall

Silver Apron

28.2 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Nevada Fall waterfall

Nevada Fall

0.4 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Hard
7.0 miles 2 ft
Snow Creek Falls waterfall

Snow Creek Falls

29.8 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Hard
9.4 miles 2 ft
Ribbon Fall waterfall

Ribbon Fall

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

Bridalveil Fall

27 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Easy
0.5 miles 80 ft
Bunnell Cascade waterfall

Bunnell Cascade

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

Silver Strand Falls

25.4 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Pywiack Cascade waterfall

Pywiack Cascade

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

The Cascades

24.7 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Easy
1.4 miles 200 ft
Wildcat Falls waterfall

Wildcat Falls

24.3 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Little Nellie Falls waterfall

Little Nellie Falls

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Yosemite Valley

Are there free waterfalls near Yosemite Valley?

There are 17 free waterfalls near Yosemite Valley, including Angel Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Yosemite Valley?

There are 11 easy waterfall hikes near Yosemite Valley, including Bridalveil Fall.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Yosemite Valley?

There are 20 dog-friendly waterfalls near Yosemite Valley, including Angel Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Yosemite Valley?

There are 40 kid-friendly waterfalls near Yosemite Valley, including Angel Falls.

Can you swim in any waterfalls near Yosemite Valley?

There is 1 waterfall that allows swimming near Yosemite Valley, including Angel Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Yosemite Valley?

The shortest waterfall hike near Yosemite Valley is Angel Falls at 0.4 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Yosemite Valley?

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

Do any waterfalls near Yosemite Valley require permits?

Yes, 9 waterfalls near Yosemite Valley require a permit. Check individual trail pages for current permit details.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Yosemite Valley?

Yes, 50 waterfalls near Yosemite Valley have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Yosemite Valley?

The closest waterfall to Yosemite Valley is Staircase Falls, approximately 0.4 miles away.

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Nearby Hot Springs

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Fumaroles

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Unnamed Spring Mono County 5

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30.7 mi 72°F

This 72-degree thermal spring near Bridgeport sits at 6,383 feet elevation, requiring a short 160-meter walk from the road in M...
Unnamed Spring Mono County 2

Unnamed Spring Mono County 2

31.9 mi 72°F

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Casa Diablo Hot Springs And Geyser

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Casa Diablo Hot Springs and Geyser erupts at 199 degrees Fahrenheit—one of California's most extreme geothermal features. Locat...

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

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Where to Stay

Yosemite View Lodge

Yosemite View Lodge

8.1 7,240 reviews
Big Creek Inn

Big Creek Inn

9.2 145 reviews
Rush Creek Lodge at Yosemite

Rush Creek Lodge at Yosemite

9.1 1,057 reviews
Tenaya at Yosemite

Tenaya at Yosemite

8.8 4,380 reviews
See all hotels near Yosemite Valley
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