Are there fees or permits required for Wildcat Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Wildcat Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Wildcat Falls.

Live Conditions · 17 ft³/s · Lower than usual

Wildcat Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Wildcat Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Wildcat Falls.

California • Yosemite National Park

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 2 other waterfalls also named Wildcat Falls, see below

Yosemite National Park NP · National Park Service

Photo Credits (5)

Images by John 'K' CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

albategnius CC BY-SA 2.0 · Flickr

AlexiUeltzen CC BY-ND 2.0 · Flickr

About Wildcat Falls

Wildcat Falls is a delicate, multi-tiered cascade tucked into the western quarter of Yosemite National Park along Highway 140, about 2.8 miles inside the Arch Rock Entrance. The falls present as a relatively thin string of cascades totaling roughly 720 feet (some sources list 630 feet) across seven distinct drops—the longest plunge measures about 120 feet—creating a striking spring display when snowmelt is strong. Managed by the National Park Service, Wildcat Falls is seasonal and typically flows only through spring, tapering off by May or June. Because the falls sit alongside Highway 140, they make an accessible and rewarding stop while exploring Yosemite’s western corridor. The site pairs well with a short hike: an out-and-back route leads visitors closer to the cascades for photos and viewing. Plan your visit in spring for the fullest flow and check park conditions with the NPS before you go.

The Setting

Wildcat Falls sits at 4,252 feet within Yosemite National Park, in the mountains of California.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Bridalveil Fall (620 ft) lies 3.9 miles to the east. Also nearby: Silver Strand Falls (574 ft, 2.9 mi).

Bridalveil Fall Silver Strand Falls

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

Out-and-back, 2.4 miles round trip with approximately 350 feet of elevation gain; rated moderate. The trail provides access from the Highway 140 corridor roughly 2.8 miles inside the Arch Rock Entrance to Yosemite National Park. Wildcat Falls is seasonal—flows are strongest during spring snowmelt and usually diminish by May–June—so timing your hike affects what you’ll see. Trail surface and technical class are not specified in the available park data; expect typical park footpaths with moderate grades corresponding to the stated elevation gain.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Wildcat Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Wildcat 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 3 hours 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

1.01 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.

About This Gauge

MERCED R A POHONO BRIDGE NR YOSEMITE CA

USGS 11266500

2.9 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 (5 km away).

High 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 then patchy smoke (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.

1-meter lidar shows Wildcat Falls dropping about 458 feet in a single sheer step. The brink sits at about 4,265 feet above sea level.

The whole reach is steep: about 214 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 649 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southeast and catch soft morning light.

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

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Wildcat Falls near Foresta, California, showing about 458 feet of drop, a single sheer drop, facing southeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 4,265 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 458 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Southeast; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Elevation

4,252 feet above sea level

Coordinates

37.723538° N, -119.717393° 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

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Nearby Campground

Bridalveil Creek Campground

6.8 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