Yosemite Falls

Yosemite Falls is a major waterfall in Yosemite National Park, California, with a total vertical drop of about 2,425 feet (739 m). It is the highest measured waterfall in North America and a signature feature of Yosemite Valley.

The waterfall is divided into three main sections: Upper Yosemite Fall (about 1,430 ft / 436 m), the Middle Cascades (about 675 ft / 206 m) and Lower Yosemite Fall (about 320 ft / 98 m). Key viewpoints include valley-floor viewing areas near Yosemite Village and the strenuous Yosemite Falls Trail that reaches the top.

The falls have been known and used by local Native American groups for centuries and became a central natural attraction after Yosemite Valley was set aside for protection; Yosemite National Park was established in 1890. The falls’ flow is seasonal, strongest in spring from snowmelt and often reduced or intermittent by late summer and autumn.

Yosemite Falls is located in Yosemite Valley in the Sierra Nevada, within Yosemite National Park in central California. The valley is accessible by park roads and is a multi-hour drive east of California’s major coastal cities.

• Total height: Total drop measures approximately 2,425 feet (739 m), making it the highest measured waterfall in North America.
• Trail note: The Yosemite Falls Trail leads to the top of the falls; the climb is steep and exposed in places and can take several hours round trip.

What to See #

• Upper Yosemite Fall: Upper Yosemite Fall, the highest single drop in the cascade at about 1,430 feet (436 m), reached by the Yosemite Falls Trail; offers panoramic valley views from the rim.
• Middle Cascades: Middle Cascades, a series of steeper drops totaling about 675 feet (206 m) between the upper and lower sections.
• Lower Yosemite Fall: Lower Yosemite Fall, a 320-foot (98 m) plunge that is easily viewed from the Yosemite Valley floor and accessible via short walking paths.