Hiking to Yosemite Falls (Upper and Lower) in Yosemite Valley
Adventure Destination

Hiking to Yosemite Falls (Upper and Lower) in Yosemite Valley

Explore the challenging Upper and more accessible Lower Yosemite Falls trails in Yosemite Valley. With stunning views and a variety of terrain options, these trails offer both a short loop and a strenuous hike. Best visited in spring for peak waterfall flow.

Hiking9.2/10Moderate
Photo Gallery

Category

Hiking

Typical Duration

2-4 hours

Difficulty

Moderate

About This Adventure Destination

Hiking to Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America with a total drop of 2,425 feet, is a must-do experience for visitors to Yosemite Valley, California. This hike offers an incredible mix of natural beauty, challenging terrain, and memorable vistas. With Upper Yosemite Falls offering dramatic views and Lower Yosemite Falls providing easy accessibility, this iconic spot is perfect for both casual visitors and seasoned hikers. It’s a fantastic way to connect with Yosemite’s natural grandeur.

Editorial Assessment

Yosemite Falls, consisting of both Upper and Lower sections in Yosemite Valley, is one of the tallest and most iconic waterfalls in the world. Its dramatic beauty and the adventurous hiking opportunities it offers make it a premiere destination for outdoor enthusiasts, contributing significantly to its high rating.

Hiking to Yosemite Falls (Upper and Lower) in Yosemite Valley

Adventure Guide to Hiking to Yosemite Falls (Upper and Lower) in Yosemite Valley

1

- Lower Yosemite Falls Trail

  • Details: **Details**: This short, 1-mile loop provides breathtaking views of the 320-foot Lower Yosemite Fall. It’s accessible for most visitors, including families and those with limited mobility, thanks to paved paths and minimal elevation gain.
  • Details: **What makes it special**: This trail offers a fantastic close-up view of the lower cascade and an opportunity to feel the mist of the falls during spring and early summer.
  • Details: **Key features**: Interpretive signs along the trail that detail the area’s natural history.
  • Details: **Upper Yosemite Falls Trail**
  • Details: **Details**: A strenuous, 7.6-mile round-trip hike (3,967 feet elevation gain) that takes hikers to the top of the waterfall.
  • Details: **What makes it special**: The trail delivers unmatched panoramic views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Sentinel Rock, and, of course, the thunderous Upper Yosemite Fall.
  • Details: **Key features**: Multiple rest stops like Columbia Rock and a jaw-dropping overlook at the summit.
  • Details: **Best Scenic Photo Spot**
  • Details: **Details**: The **Yosemite Creek Overlook**, near the top of Upper Yosemite Falls, offers a unique vantage point to watch the water plunge downward.
  • Details: **What makes it special**: A photographer’s paradise, it captures the start of the awe-inspiring drop with Yosemite Valley in the background.
2

Local Insights

  • Details: **Historical Context**: Native Americans in Yosemite Valley, particularly the Ahwahneechee people, revered Yosemite Falls as a sacred site and called it "Cholock" (place of the gushing water).
  • Details: **Seasonal Tip**: The waterfall’s flow is most robust in late spring due to snowmelt, while it often dries out by late summer.
3

Visitor Tips

  • Details: **Best Times to Visit**: March through May for peak waterfall flow; arrive early in the day to avoid crowds.
  • Details: **What to Bring**: Sturdy hiking shoes, plenty of water, sunscreen, and snacks for the Upper Falls hike.
  • Details: **Directions**: From Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, the Lower Yosemite Falls Trailhead is a short 10-minute walk.

Reviews

L
Larry Wilsona month ago

Incredible experience! The views and natural scenery at Hiking to Yosemite Falls (Upper and Lower) in Yosemite Valley are unforgettable. Well marked trails and a fantastic outdoor getaway.

P
Peter M.3 months ago

Clean trails with great directions. Once you arrive, there are multiple scenic vantage points to explore. Highly recommend visiting early in the morning.

D
David Pestana6 months ago

One of my favorite destinations in the region. Sunset here transitions into an unforgettable evening with shifting light on the landscape.

Nearby Adventures

Nearby Adventure Destinations

View All Destinations →
Majestic Upper Yosemite Falls9.60.03 miHard
Upper Yosemite Falls

Majestic Upper Yosemite Falls

Explore the challenging 7-mile round trip hike to Upper Yosemite Falls in Yosemite National Park. This hard trail offers stunning valley views and a close encounter with North America's tallest waterfall. Best visited in spring for peak water flow.

View Details →
Majestic Views at Upper Yosemite Fall9.50.04 miHard
Upper Yosemite Fall

Majestic Views at Upper Yosemite Fall

Explore the breathtaking Upper Yosemite Fall in Yosemite National Park. This challenging 7.2-mile hike offers stunning views of North America's tallest waterfall, making it a popular destination for hiking and photography. Best visited in spring for optimal water flow.

View Details →
Majestic Cascades of Yosemite Falls9.30.04 miModerate
Yosemite Falls

Majestic Cascades of Yosemite Falls

Explore the breathtaking Yosemite Falls at Yosemite National Park, California. Experience a moderate hike to North America's tallest waterfall at 2,425 feet. Great for hiking, biking, and photography. Spring offers the best views with peak water flow.

View Details →
Nearby Adventures

Bookable Experiences

Half-Day Glide from Badger Pass: Cross‑Country Ski Rentals into Yosemite’s High Country47.5 mi
Yosemite Valley, California

Half-Day Glide from Badger Pass: Cross‑Country Ski Rentals into Yosemite’s High Country

A four‑hour, half‑day equipment rental from Badger Pass Ski Area gives access to Yosemite’s network of cross‑country trails — including a popular 21‑mile round trip to Glacier Point — making this guide useful for planning distance and logistics.

47.5 miView Trips & Details →
Flat‑water Parties Aboard a 25' Sun Tracker at Shaver Lake47.1 mi
Shaver Lake, California

Flat‑water Parties Aboard a 25' Sun Tracker at Shaver Lake

A 25' Sun Tracker pontoon from Shaver Lake Power Center — 12 passengers, 60 HP motor — this guide explains the boat, rules, and what to bring for a trouble‑free rental.

47.1 miView Trips & Details →
Rattling Along the Doorstep of Yosemite: A Guided Jeep Tour Through Stanislaus National Forest34.7 mi
Groveland, California

Rattling Along the Doorstep of Yosemite: A Guided Jeep Tour Through Stanislaus National Forest

A three‑hour guided off‑road excursion from Groveland that runs scenic trails through Stanislaus National Forest and the Tuolumne River Canyon, led by local guides from Miller’s Off Road Adventures.

34.7 miView Trips & Details →
A Halloween Evening on the Rails: Costumes, Campfire Stories and a Train through Fish Camp21.2 mi
Fish Camp, California

A Halloween Evening on the Rails: Costumes, Campfire Stories and a Train through Fish Camp

A 3.5-hour Halloween-themed event run by Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad in Fish Camp featuring trick-or-treating, dinner, spooky storytelling and an optional Fright Class upgrade.

21.2 miView Trips & Details →
A Community Armory: Free Trail-Tool Loans for Groveland’s Volunteer Crews35.6 mi
Groveland, California

A Community Armory: Free Trail-Tool Loans for Groveland’s Volunteer Crews

Groveland Trail Heads, funded by a Sonora Area Foundation grant, provides free trail tools to local nonprofits and volunteer groups; this guide explains eligibility, contacts, pickup, and what gear is available.

35.6 miView Trips & Details →
A‑Frame Evenings at Mountain Cabin B, Mammoth Lakes28.2 mi
Mammoth Lakes, California

A‑Frame Evenings at Mountain Cabin B, Mammoth Lakes

A two‑story A‑frame at Red's Meadow Resort with a kitchenette, full bathroom, and outdoor fire pit—an intimate stay for groups up to seven.

28.2 miView Trips & Details →