Chasing waterfalls in Yosemite? Let us guide you to the best viewing times for Yosemite waterfalls to make your getaway to this oasis unforgettable. Yosemite is home to countless waterfalls, from cascading Yosemite Falls to wonders like Vernal Fall, all flowing at various times throughout the year. Several factors, including weather conditions and snowpack, can influence the waterfalls’ flow and optimal viewing times. The sights around Yosemite are impressive anytime, but catching these majestic natural features while they last takes planning.
See what you can expect for waterfall flow and which of Yosemite’s falls will be putting on the best shows during your visit to Yosemite:
- Peak Waterfall Season in Yosemite
- The Best Month for Waterfalls (May vs. June)
- Yosemite Waterfalls by Season
- Top Yosemite Waterfalls To Visit by Season
- Tips for Seeing Yosemite Waterfalls
When Is Peak Waterfall Season in Yosemite?
Peak waterfall season begins in April in Yosemite and lasts until June, giving travelers many opportunities to see these awe-inspiring natural features. This period is ideal for viewing waterfalls at their fullest because April’s snowmelt and seasonal rainwater replenish the water volume. If you want to experience waterfalls’ booming sounds, roaring cascades, and misty spray, peak season at Yosemite is your best chance.
Best Month for Waterfalls in Yosemite (May vs. June)
May and June are both incredible months for waterfall viewing at Yosemite. The amount of snowpack in the mountains and the weather conditions during the spring months affect the peak flow of the area’s waterfalls. A large snowpack and extreme melt mean the falls will be at full roar in May but may be quieter in June. Likewise, a slower warmup may give the advantage to June for the best month to view the falls, as they will benefit from snowmelt and seasonal rain.
Drier conditions as summer approaches will reduce the water volume and effects, so you’ll want to plan your arrival before June’s end. Some waterfalls, including the famous Yosemite Falls, slow to a trickle or even stop flowing completely in the summer months.
Yosemite Waterfalls by Season
While it’s known that some of the best waterfall viewing happens in the spring, don’t count out other times of the year for sightseeing in Yosemite. This is a year-round destination for relaxation, exploring, and hunting natural wonders. Here’s the waterfall activity typical for Yosemite in each season:
Spring (Best Time To See Waterfalls)
Yosemite’s springtime is fantastic for sightseeing. Winter’s rainfall and snow has rejuvenated the waterfalls, so they are full and roaring. With roads and trails to viewing areas opening for the season, wildflowers and foliage blooming, and the waterfalls’ high flows, spring’s positioning as the ideal time to visit Yosemite is on target. If you arrive later in the season, you’ll see the iconic Yosemite Falls put on its best show, and you may even catch Sentinel Fall, one of the most graceful yet hard-to-catch displays in the Valley.
Summer (Which Falls Still Flow?)
While most of Yosemite’s waterfalls run dry by mid-to-late summer, a few perennial falls—Yosemite, Vernal, and Nevada—keep flowing, although even these diminish to a trickle as the season progresses. While spring runoff and rapids are excellent features, don’t discount the tranquility of a serene summertime waterfall.
Carlon Falls at Yosemite is one of Yosemite’s best hidden gems for summer visitors, and it’s only minutes from Rush Creek Lodge and Evergreen Lodge. This waterfall’s modest flow and size complement the idyllic surroundings of ferns and flowers, showing the serene side to waterfall landscapes less evident in peak seasons.
Fall (Limited Waterfalls, But Still Beautiful)
Most waterfalls reduce to a trickle or have run dry by fall, but that won’t leave visitors without incredible views and natural beauty. In the absence of deafening waterfalls and busy crowds, you can take in all the surrounding scenery and enjoy a more tranquil side to this beautiful area. If a waterfall is on your bucket list, autumn rains can coax a larger flow out of Nevada Fall and others.
Winter (Firefall and Snowy Landscapes)
Though Yosemite Falls doesn’t flow more than a trickle in the winter, the snow and cold temperature create fascinating ice formations at its base. These ice cones have been known to extend from the ground to as high as 322 feet (about the height of a 25-story building). Nearing spring, frazil ice can form in the waterfalls and creeks, creating brilliant crystals.
Another worthy wintertime phenomenon at Yosemite is the famous Firefall at Horsetail Fall. Each February hundreds of people flock to the Valley to catch the moments when sunlight streams through the thin sliver of Horsetail Falls and turns it a bright, molten orange. Though conditions must be exactly right to catch this, the event is a must-see worth waiting for.
Top Yosemite Waterfalls To Visit by Season
Most of the waterfalls in Yosemite are active seasonally. To make sure you catch a few of these during your hikes, scenic drives, and overlook outings, you’ll need to know which are active during your visit. Consult this list of the top waterfalls in Yosemite to guide your seasonal itinerary:
Best Spring Waterfalls in Yosemite
The top Yosemite waterfall to visit in spring is the iconic Yosemite Falls, which consists of three separate waterfalls: Upper Yosemite Fall, the middle cascades, and Lower Yosemite Fall. Peak flow is in May.
Nevada and Bridalveil are two falls that flow year-round, and these thunderous waterfalls are spectacular in the spring. Bridalveil Fall is often the first you’ll see as you enter Yosemite Valley. Viewing this one from anywhere is special, but a hike (it’s quick, but steep) to its base offers unforgettable views.
When the Glacial Point road opens in late May, you’ll see Nevada Fall at its peak. This waterfall looks phenomenal even from a distance, and if you want an up-close look, it’s accessible by a day hike.
Best Summer Waterfalls in Yosemite
Though their flow may be slowed, Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall are visible year-round (they may diminish exponentially late in the season). These two waterfalls are located on The Mist Trail, one of Yosemite’s best hikes. Bridalveil Fall is another waterfall in Yosemite available all year, and known for its characteristically light, swaying flow. This one offers many trails to its base to see this sight up close.
Best Fall Waterfalls in Yosemite
Fall is a slow time for waterfalls in Yosemite, but the area still affords many sights, including year-round waterfalls Bridalveil, Nevada, Vernal, and a few others. These won’t provide the rushing roar you’ll hear in the spring, but the surroundings and tranquility are beautiful nonetheless. Storms in the late fall might contribute to a temporary stronger stream, but water levels return to normal quickly.
Best Winter Waterfalls in Yosemite
The most famous Yosemite sight in the winter is the Firefall at Horsetail Fall, which provides a light show when the sunset hits the plunging water just right. Ranchiera Falls isn’t as dramatic, but its cascades flow for most of the winter, and its access trail is open year-round.
Bridalveil Fall and Yosemite Falls are also popular in the winter. When these waterfalls reduce to a slow trickle, ice and snow build up at their bases and in the mist to create beautiful icy formations and scenic wintry sights.
Tips for Seeing Yosemite’s Waterfalls
If you’re heading to Yosemite to see any of the area’s countless waterfalls, remember to dress appropriately for the season and pack a raincoat or poncho so you’re ready for seasonal showers and misty environments. Hikers and trail explorers should invest in slip-resistant shoes, and anyone planning to take pictures should consider a waterproof case or dry bag for their camera or phone.
The lighting in the late afternoon or early morning is often best for photography, and those times can also be less crowded during busier seasons.
Where To Stay Near Yosemite’s Waterfalls
Your Yosemite hotel should be just as breathtaking and immersive as your waterfall experience. With the right lodging, you can enjoy convenient access to the best waterfalls in Yosemite, plus excellent accommodations for relaxing before and after hikes, exciting evenings in, and family-friendly entertainment.
These are our top picks for lodging during your Yosemite vacation:
- Rush Creek: This hotel stands just outside the Big Oak Flat entrance to the park, providing convenience to trails and natural wonders, plus it offers an exceptional on-site spa and amenities. Rush Creek features many rooms, suites, and hillside villas.
- Evergreen Lodge: Head one mile from the park’s Hetch Hetchy entrance to Evergreen Lodge, offering a classic Yosemite experience in a historic mountain resort with thoughtful modern amenities and additions. Check out the private cabins and cottages for an unforgettable family getaway.
- Firefall Ranch: Experience Yosemite’s newest lodging option, Firefall Ranch, near the park’s northwest entrance. This basecamp offers many cottages and villas, plus amenities for every vacationer.
Road Closures & Park Alerts
With the natural beauty of Yosemite National Park comes challenges for waterfall lovers, most notably, weather-related road closures. Watch the National Park Service Conditions page for real-time updates on road statuses and seasonal information, including which waterfalls are flowing and air quality alerts. Conditions can change quickly, so be mindful of detours and always obey posted signage. Thankfully, most waterfalls, including Bridalveil Fall, Ribbon Fall, Cascade Fall, and Horsetail Fall, are tall enough to be seen from a distance or a nearby road.