Yosemite Falls is one of North America’s tallest waterfalls. It rises 2,425 feet above the Valley floor! Yosemite Falls has three separate falls: Upper Yosemite Fall (1,430 feet), the middle cascades (675 feet), and Lower Yosemite Fall (320 feet). The elevation at the top of Upper Yosemite Falls is about 6,500 feet above sea level.
Conquer this hike which takes you to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls. Enjoy the rewarding and jaw-dropping views of Yosemite Valley. Be prepared as there is a lot of elevation gain, and the slippery, rocky terrain adds to the challenge. However, this trail is worth every step! Once you reach the top, you’ll understand why.
Table of Contents
Know Before You Go
Entrance Pass
Entrance into Yosemite National Park is $35 per vehicle for a 7-day pass. If you have the America the Beautiful Pass then you get in for free. If you don’t have an America the Beautiful Pass and you visit National Parks frequently, we highly recommend making the purchase! It costs $80 for one whole year.
Reservations and Timed Entry
A reservation is required from 5 AM to 4 PM on some dates from April 13 through October 27, 2024.
- April 13 to June 30: weekends and holidays only
- July 1–August 16: daily
- August 17– October 27: weekends and holidays only
Best Time to Go
Spring is the BEST time to see the waterfalls in Yosemite National Park! Peak flow is from May to June due to snowmelt from the winter season creating massive waterfalls.
I personally recommend visiting Yosemite in May if seeing waterfalls is your top priority. The temperatures are warm but not hot, huge summer crowds are not there yet, and the waterfalls are magical!
READ THIS: How to Visit Yosemite in May
Avoid the Yosemite Crowds
Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular National Parks in America. If you have visited before, then you will understand why. The entire place is beautiful! Absolutely breathtaking. Because of this everyone and their mom wants to visit. This results in big crowds, especially during peak season.
Thankfully, reservations and timed entries have been put in place to help control the crowds. However, the hike to Upper Yosemite Falls is very popular. Despite it being so tough, it attracts a ton of people. With that being said, if you are hiking to Upper Yosemite Falls, I would recommend starting EARLY! Like around sunrise time.
When my husband and I hiked this trail in 2023, we started hiking around 6 AM. We hardly saw anyone else on the trail, and we had the overlook to ourselves for a little while. Then on the way back down the trail, we probably passed 60+ people! Like I said… start your hike early!
READ THIS: 15 Ways to Avoid Crowds in the Great Outdoors
This is a Strenuous Hike!!
This hike is extremely tough for the average hiker. In about 3.5 miles, you will gain over 3,000 feet in elevation. That’s quite a bit!
Please, please know your limits and be careful! If you plan to tackle Upper Yosemite Falls hike, make sure you are in good physical condition, wearing appropriate hiking shoes/boots, and have plenty of water and snacks.
It should also be noted that the terrain creates even more of a challenge. The sandy/gravely rocky steps along the trail are very slippery. Take your time hiking up to Upper Yosemite Falls and especially hiking down. Trekking poles may be very beneficial to use on this trail.
Leave No Trace
Before you go, please make sure you understand the Leave No Trace principles. These seven principles help reduce our environmental impact from outdoor recreational activities. Nature is meant to be enjoyed and respected. 🌱
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
About the Trail
Location: Yosemite Falls is located in Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park, California.
Length & Elevation Gain: It’s about 7 miles with an elevation gain of 3,200 feet. (Add +2 miles if going further to Yosemite Point)
Hiking Time: It takes an average of 5 to 8 hours to complete this hike.
Route Type: This is an out-and-back hike.
Difficulty Rating: This hike is considered strenuous (depending on fitness level).
Terrain: This trail consists of gravel/rocks, steps, sandy spots, and many switchbacks.
Pet-friendly? No, pets are not allowed.
How to Get to the Trailhead
The trailhead for Upper Yosemite Falls is located near Camp 4 within Yosemite Valley.
There are two nearby parking options. The first is to park at the Yosemite Falls parking area which is across the street from the trailhead. The second is to park at the Yosemite Village parking area which is a bit further down the road.
If you are not camping at Camp 4, then you cannot park in the parking lot designated for Camp 4! But if you are camping there, then guess what, you have the best parking spot if hiking to Upper Yosemite Falls.
Put this address in google maps: Yosemite Falls Trailhead, Yosemite Falls Trail, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389
Red “P” is Yosemite Falls parking area, and blue “P” is Yosemite Village parking area.
TIP: Having trouble finding a parking spot near the Upper Yosemite Falls Trailhead? You are not alone. Luckily, Yosemite National Park has a Shuttle System! To reach the trailhead, ride the shuttle to stop #7 and walk across the street to Camp 4. You will see a trail sign for Yosemite Falls towards the back left side of Camp 4 parking area.
Trail Directions
Beginning at the trailhead near Camp 4, you will start off hiking up switchback after switchback through an oak forest, quickly gaining elevation.
If hiking on a hot day, be thankful for the shade in the beginning because it won’t be like that the entire way.
After about a mile of hiking up and about 1,000 feet of elevation gain, you will reach Columbia Rock. This lookout provides awesome views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and Sentinel Rock.
Continue your ascent. In about 1.2 miles, you will catch the first glimpse of Upper Yosemite Falls!
The trail will eventually start going downhill, and you will re-enter into a forest of precious shade again. At this point, you will be able to get a closer look at the waterfall.
If hiking during spring or early summer, prepare to hear the loud boom of the Upper Yosemite Falls crashing down and the cool mist washing over you.
And the climb continues! Keep pushing, you are almost there! The views along the way are spectacular. Take rest breaks at each viewpoint to make this hike more bearable.
You will reach a junction in the trail. Veer right to head towards Upper Yosemite Falls. There will be another junction in the trail shortly after. Continue right.
You will eventually see a sign that reads “Yosemite Falls Overlook”. You made it to the top, my friend!
Want to see something super awesome!?!? I thought so.
Walk a bit further towards the left of the overlook. Go down the first set of steps and around the corner you will see a another set of steps. The second set of steps are much more interesting!
If you are extremely afraid of heights, I would not recommend. But the views from the overlook below are worth tackling the steps. Hold on tight to the railing and take your time!
The views of Upper Yosemite Falls are not the best from either overlook, but you will have incredible views of Yosemite Valley!
If you’re ready to head back, simply retrace your steps. BUT WAIT! There are more awesome views further along the trail if you’re up for it!!
Ready for more hiking? Okay! Let’s head towards Yosemite Point. This will add an extra mile to your hike one-way.
Retrace your steps back down the trail towards an intersection. There will be a sign that will direct you towards Yosemite Point.
Follow the trail to a bridge that takes you over Yosemite Creek. Watch as the water falls over the cliff to form Upper Yosemite Falls. Please don’t swim here! It’s very dangerous!!
Continue hiking up (yes, more elevation gain) about a mile until you reach another lookout. You will see guardrails around the edge of a cliff. That is Yosemite Point!
The views from Yosemite Point are even more breathtaking than the views from Yosemite Falls Overlook (in my personal opinion).
Retrace your steps back to the trailhead and bust out a happy dance (if your legs allow it) because you made it! 🥳
We Vlogged Our Experience!
More Great Waterfall Hikes in Yosemite
Vernal Fall: Hike 1.5 miles via the Mist Trail one-way to reach Vernal Fall which is most beautiful waterfalls in Yosemite National Park! Climb over 600 granite steps and feel the power (and mist) of Vernal Fall! Hopefully you will see a rainbow or two. The views from the top of Vernal Fall will leave you breathless!
Nevada Fall: Take the famous Mist Trail to see Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall then complete the loop via the John Muir Trail for a total of 6.5 miles and about 2,200 feet of elevation gain. Add this beautiful hike to your chasing-waterfalls-in-Yosemite bucket list!
Illilouette Falls: Hike along one of the most scenic trails in Yosemite National Park to a 370-foot waterfall. The Panorama Trail to Illilouette Fall offers stunning views of Yosemite Valley, Nevada Fall, Vernal Fall, and Half Dome. This trail is less trafficked as compared to other popular trails in Yosemite, so you will be able to enjoy a peaceful and quiet hike to a beautiful waterfall.
Wapama Falls: Located in Hetch Hetchy Valley, this 5-mile hike starts at the O’Shaughnessy Dam and takes you along the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. It’s an out-and-back trail with an elevation gain of about 500 feet and is considered moderately difficult.
Rancheria Falls: Hike to two of the most beautiful waterfalls in Yosemite National Park. Located within the Hetch Hetchy area, this challenging 13-mile out-and-back hike takes you to both Wapama Falls and Rancheria Falls. If you enjoy long day hikes then this is the perfect adventure for you!
Chilnualna Falls: Hike to Yosemite’s most underrated waterfall known as Chilnualna Falls (pronounced “Chil-noo-al-na”). Located in the Wawona area of Yosemite National Park, this waterfall consists of 5 large cascades with the tallest one dropping 240 feet. The 8.2-mile out-and-back hike will take you through pine-dense forests, pass beautiful vistas, and offers spectacular views of Chilnualna Falls and its cascades.
Lower Yosemite Falls: Located in Yosemite Valley, this is a short 1-mile loop trail where you can get a closer look at Lower Yosemite Falls. The lower section of Yosemite Falls is 320-feet tall. It’s an easy 30-minute walk on a paved path. Very family friendly, dog-friendly (on leash), and wheelchair accessible (when not covered in snow – best time for wheelchair users is late-Spring and Summer). Bicycles are prohibited but bikes racks are located nearby.
Bridalveil Falls: This is a short 0.5 mile out-and-back trail located in Yosemite Valley. It’s an easy 20-minute hike on a paved path to this breathtaking waterfall. Marvel at this 620-foot waterfall.
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