Are there fees or permits required for Wapama Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Wapama Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Wapama Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Wapama Falls.

Nearby gauge (Tuolumne River) · 55 ft³/s · About average

Wapama Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Wapama Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Wapama Falls. Pets aren't allowed on Yosemite trails or in wilderness, except the Bridalveil Fall, Lower Yosemite Fall, Cook's Meadow and Wawona Meadow Loop trails.

California • Yosemite National Park

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Yosemite National Park NP · National Park Service

Photo Credits (5)

s__i CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

www78 CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

thekevinchang CC BY-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Cowgirl Jules CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

Trail Length

4.0 miles

About Wapama Falls

Wapama Falls is the larger of two waterfalls on Falls Creek spilling down the northern wall of Hetch Hetchy Valley below Hetch Hetchy Dome in Yosemite National Park. Nestled within Yosemite and managed by the National Park Service, the falls flow year-round and create a dramatic curtain of water that can be spectacular in spring and early summer when snowmelt swells Falls Creek. Note that the nearby Tueeulala Falls is a seasonal distributary of Falls Creek; during peak flows Wapama can inundate the trail bridge at its base, occasionally making the route impassable, so plan your visit with seasonal conditions in mind.

The Setting

Wapama Falls sits at 4,816 feet within Yosemite National Park, in the mountains of California.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Tueeulala Falls (880 ft) lies 0.4 miles to the west.

Tueeulala Falls

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

Out-and-back trail in Yosemite National Park managed by the National Park Service. The route follows park trails to the base of Wapama Falls and offers close-up views of the waterfall and Hetch Hetchy Valley; however, Wapama Falls flows year-round and peak runoff can inundate the trail bridge at the falls' base, potentially blocking passage.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Wapama Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed
Pets aren't allowed on Yosemite trails or in wilderness, except the Bridalveil Fall, Lower Yosemite Fall, Cook's Meadow and Wawona Meadow Loop trails.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Wapama Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer

Seasonal Access

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

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Barely Flowing

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Tuolumne River, 2.7 miles away, not on Wapama Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

55 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

36 37 62 66

Based on 59 years of record

2.93 ft

Water depth at gauge

52°F

Cold

Bracing — limit time in water

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is about average for this time of year. Water temperature is a bracing 52 degrees F, limit your time in the water.

About This Gauge

TUOLUMNE R NR HETCH HETCHY CA

USGS 11276500

2.7 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 457 sq mi

Altitude: 3,452 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge TUOLUMNE R NR HETCH HETCHY CA (4 km away).

High confidence

Barely Flowing right now

55 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Barely Flowing

55 cfs

5/10

Tomorrow

Barely Flowing

59 cfs

3/10

Tue

Barely Flowing

57 cfs

5/10

Wed

Barely Flowing

56 cfs

2/10

Thu

Low

59 cfs

4/10

Fri

Barely Flowing

58 cfs

2/10

Sat

Barely Flowing

55 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 mid April to early July, peaking in June.

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.

Is Wapama Falls Frozen?

Updated about 10 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Wapama Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 48°F to 34°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 55 ft³/s

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail.

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 laser survey finds one clean step here: roughly 728 feet of drop concentrated at the brink. Elevation at the pin is about 4,685 feet.

The whole reach is steep: about 599 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 381 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southwest and sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.

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

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Wapama Falls near Foresta, California, showing about 728 feet of drop, a single sheer drop, facing southwest

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 4,685 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 728 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Southwest; Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Elevation

4,816 feet above sea level

Coordinates

37.966309° N, -119.765454° W

Land Management

Yosemite National Park NP

Managed by NPS

Visitor Tips & Gear

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

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Nearby Campground

CHERRY VALLEY

8.4 miles away · 45 sites

Reservable

Overview Situated in the central Sierra Nevada, camping at Cherry Valley campground offers many beautiful sights. It is located in a forest of mixed conifers about 1.5 miles northeast of Cherry Valley Dam, 1 hour east of Tuolumne City, 1 hour northeast of Groveland, and 2.5 hours from the northwestern border of Yosemite National Park. Lake access is available via a hiking trail. The road to the campground is a winding mountain road and must be taken slowly.Recreation There are unlimited opportuni

Book on Recreation.gov