Waterfalls to Visit in Yosemite National Park in Spring

Yosemite National Park is home to dozens of majestic waterfalls. The best time to visit these waterfalls is during the spring season when snowmelt is at an all time high creating plenty of runoff water. The best months are typically end of April through mid June. Not only are the waterfalls at their peak but wildflowers are beginning to bloom and summer crowds have not yet moved into the park. Yosemite in spring is definitely a bucket list destination!

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Yosemite Falls 
Yosemite Falls is one of the park’s treasured icons and one of the world’s tallest waterfalls at 2,425 feet. The waterfall is comprised of three separate drops - Upper Yosemite Falls, the middle falls and Lower Yosemite Falls. The falls can be spotted from many locations around the park including Yosemite Village where visitors can complete a one-mile hiking loop to the base of the falls, up high from Glacier Point or from directly above the falls after a challenging hike. Yosemite Falls can be completely dry by late summer or fall so it is a must visit in spring! There is a webcam of the falls to check out the water flow before visiting.

Hike Trailhead: Yosemite Falls
Hike Mileage: 7.6 miles
Hike Elevation: 3,220 feet

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Vernal Fall
Vernal Fall is a 317 foot waterfall that flows year round but is most spectacular in spring when run-off is highest (when run-off begins to slow, the fall begins to separate into multiple waterfalls). The waterfall can be visited by hiking ~2 miles up the Mist Trail from the Happy Isles trailhead. The trail is known as the Mist Trail as hikers often get sprayed by the mist caused by the falls crashing into granite below. Be careful on the trail’s stairs as they can be slippery! There are rails at the top of the fall to overlook the Merced River and Vernal Fall beneath.

Hike Trailhead: Happy Isles
Hike Mileage: 4 miles
Hike Elevation: 1,280 feet

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Nevada Fall
Nevada Fall is a 594 foot waterfall located in Yosemite Valley, southeast of the village and upriver from Vernal Fall. Similar to Vernal Fall, this fall is part of the Merced River drainage so it flows all year. The waterfall is located next to the large granite dome called Liberty Cap. Hikers can visit this waterfall by hiking beyond Vernal Fall up strenuous switchbacks. There are railings at the top to look out at the waterfall’s powerful plunge. Vernal and Nevada Falls are also visible from Glacier Point - this area will be inaccessible to cars in 2022 and parts of 2023 for construction but is hike-able if looking for a challenge!

Hike Trailhead: Happy Isles
Hike Mileage: 6 miles
Hike Elevation: 2,150 feet

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Wapama Fall
This waterfall is much less visited as it is located in the less crowded Hetch Hetchy Valley of Yosemite National Park. Wapama Fall is a 1,400 foot waterfall which flows year round but peaks in May. In the spring, the waterfall roars down the granite walls and sometimes even flows over the footbridge below the falls. Visitors should expect to get a little bit wet when approaching these falls, especially if it’s windy! Visitors can park at the O'Shaughnessy Dam, hike through a short tunnel and along the northern shoreline of the reservoir to reach the fall. Keep an eye out for Tueeulala Fall just before Wapama Fall on this hike!

Hike Trailhead: Rancheria Falls
Hike Mileage: 4.6 miles
Hike Elevation: 950 feet

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Bridalveil Fall 
This 620 foot high waterfall is one of the first falls that comes into view as visitors enter Yosemite Valley. Bridalveil flows year round but the waterfall thunders with run off in the spring. It is called Bridalveil because windy days cause the water flow to sway and mist which looks similar to a bride’s veil. Visitors can typically walk to the base of the fall on a very short and steep hike but unfortunately the trail is closed in 2022 due to the Bridalveil Fall Rehabilitation Project. While the hike is closed for rehabilitation, Bridalveil can be viewed from the Tunnel View pull out.

Hike Trailhead: Bridalveil Falls
Hike Mileage: 0.5 miles
Hike Elevation: 80 feet