Are there fees or permits required for Little Nellie Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Little Nellie Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Little Nellie Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Little Nellie Falls.

Live Conditions · 17 ft³/s · Lower than usual

Little Nellie Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Little Nellie Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Little Nellie Falls.

California • Yosemite National Park

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Stanislaus National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (2)

www78 CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

M 3711918 ne 11 060 20220807.tif Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.5 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Little Nellie Falls

Little Nellie Falls is a small, picturesque cascade set on U.S. Forest Service–managed land in the Stanislaus National Forest in California. Tucked into a quiet forested setting, the falls make a peaceful reward for hikers and photographers looking for an easy-to-reach natural scene. The site sits near Yosemite National Park, so it can be a convenient add-on for visitors exploring the region's larger waterfall and mountain attractions. The approach to Little Nellie Falls is suitably short for a half-day outing but offers enough variety to feel like a proper hike. Managed by the USFS, the area retains a low-key, natural character—perfect for those seeking a tranquil stop without the crowds of better-known parks.

The Setting

Little Nellie Falls sits at 4,603 feet within Yosemite National Park, in the mountains of California.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Silver Strand Falls (574 ft) lies 6.4 miles to the east.

Silver Strand Falls

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

According to USFS data, the trail to Little Nellie Falls is a 2.4-mile out-and-back route that gains roughly 350 feet and is rated moderate in difficulty. The Forest Service listing provides distance, gain, and difficulty but does not specify surface type, grade, or official trail class in the available data; hikers should plan for a typical forest trail experience and come prepared with sturdy footwear and basic navigation.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Little Nellie Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Little Nellie Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring is the best time to visit, as the waterfall typically has the most water flow during this season.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with Yosemite National Park for current conditions.

Safety Information

Visitors should exercise caution on the unpaved access road and be prepared for muddy or slippery conditions on the trail. Cell service may be limited in the area.

Current Water Conditions

Updated 1 day ago Barely Flowing

17 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

14 18 48 102

Based on 109 years of record

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

MERCED R A POHONO BRIDGE NR YOSEMITE CA

USGS 11266500

6.5 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 321 sq mi

Altitude: 3,865 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge MERCED R A POHONO BRIDGE NR YOSEMITE CA (10 km away).

Moderate confidence

Barely Flowing right now

17 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Barely Flowing

17 cfs

5/10

Tomorrow

Barely Flowing

17 cfs

3/10

Tue

Barely Flowing

17 cfs

5/10

Wed

Barely Flowing

15 cfs

5/10

Thu

Barely Flowing

15 cfs

5/10

Fri

Barely Flowing

15 cfs

5/10

Sat

Barely Flowing

15 cfs

5/10

Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, partly sunny (trip score 5/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early April to early July, peaking in May.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

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

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

The bare-earth surface loses about 127 feet through the falls, but gradually, the profile of a cascade rather than a plunge. The ground at the falls is roughly 4,610 feet above sea level.

The ground changes about 90 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 42 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northeast and catch soft morning light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Little Nellie Falls near Foresta, California, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Little Nellie Falls near Foresta, California, showing about 127 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing northeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 4,610 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 127 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Northeast; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northeast).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

Little Nellie Falls is accessed via Forest Road 38N11, which is an unpaved road. Visitors should check road conditions before traveling, as it may be impassable during wet weather.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is limited parking available near the trailhead. Visitors should be prepared for a small, unmarked parking area.

Elevation

4,603 feet above sea level

Coordinates

37.720205° N, -119.784341° W

Land Management

Stanislaus National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Bring sturdy shoes, as the trail may be muddy after rain. Check road conditions before visiting, as the access road can be rough.

Where to Stay

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby

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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Nearby Campground

Bridalveil Creek Campground

9.8 miles away · 110 sites

Reservable

Overview Bridalveil Creek Campground is closed for the 2025 season.Staying at Bridalveil Creek Campground requires reservations. There are no first come, first served sites available.Bridalveil Creek is located in breathtaking Yosemite National Park in Central California's rugged Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. The site is situated on Glacier Point Road at an elevation of 7,200 feet, 26 miles from Yosemite Valley. Within Yosemite, visitors can gaze upon waterfalls, sheer granite cliffs, deep valley

Book on Recreation.gov