Yosemite is a glacier valley in Yosemite National Park, and it is nothing less than a stunning Marvel on Earth. Densely populated with pine trees and high granite summits around it, the valley is beautiful and worthy of your visit.
If we talk about the things to do in Yosemite, waterfalls are the best spots to consider. There are around a dozen waterfalls in the park. Here are the top ones!
Yosemite National Park is the primary location that houses these wonders, including peaks, cliffs, canyons, rivers, domes, lakes, and immense waterfalls. Let’s explore these waterfalls!
One of the most iconic and awe-inspiring sights in Yosemite National Park is the Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in Yosemite and North America. You can easily find it on the Yosemite National Park waterfall map. It consists of three sections: the Upper Fall, the Middle Cascades, and the Lower Fall.
When you reach this 2,425-foot waterfall, you will be awe-struck with the scenery in front of your eyes. You can admire the fall from various viewpoints and enjoy the Upper Yosemite Falls hiking trail. The best time to visit Yosemite waterfalls is in late spring when the snow melts.
Bridalveil Fall is the most scenic waterfall in Yosemite Valley, California. The waterfall plunges 620 feet from a hanging valley and flows year-round. The name of this fall comes from the mist that resembles a bridal veil when the wind blows.
You can get to the base of Bridalveil Fall by a short and easy hike from the parking area. However, in terms of Bridalveil Fall accessibility, this trail is not wheelchair friendly due to its grade. Further, you may get wet from the waterfall's spray in spring, and in winter, you may encounter icy conditions.
Chilnualna Falls is a string of waterfalls totalling 690 feet, located on Chilnualna Creek in the southern section of Yosemite National Park. The falls are a hidden gem less crowded than the famous waterfall in Yosemite Valley. The falls are popular for horseback riding, backpacking, camping and hiking.
You can access the trailhead to the falls from the Wawona area. The trail is of moderate level, but there are steep points towards the end. Even while walking, you will see a lot of beautiful scenes where you can click pictures.
When visiting the waterfall in Yosemite, you will notice that Yosemite National Park has a lot of variety. Therefore, when you enter the park, ask for Yosemite waterfall tours and guides. They will take you to Wapama Falls, which has a height of 1,100 feet.
It has two primary drops angled approximately 60 degrees to each other and a wide cascade at its base. There's a moderate-level trail that gains 1,108 in elevation to reach the falls. Also, the best time to visit here is in spring when the water volume is high.
Lehamite Falls is a small-volume waterfall in a tributary gully to Indian Canyon near Yosemite Village. The falls cascade 1,130 feet down a slot in the granite cliff, first starting as rugged cascades with multiple distinct steps and culminating in a horsetail fall.
You can see Lehamite Falls from various viewpoints, such as Cook's Meadow, Sentinel Bridge, and Yosemite Village. However, the falls are often overlooked because they are next to the more famous Yosemite Falls. Also, these are seasonal waterfalls and appear in early spring.
If you're looking for a waterfall in Yosemite that is different from the rest, Vernal Fall is the place to be. It's a 317-foot waterfall on the Merced River just downstream of Nevada Falls in Yosemite National Park. There are many Vernal Fall viewpoints and photography points that you will come across.
Additionally, the waterfall rushes all year long, although, by the end of summer, it is substantially decreased in volume. There is the Mist Trail that you can follow and reach the most magnificent viewpoint of Vernal Fall. However, do look out for the Mist Trail difficulty and tips before proceeding.