Yosemite National Park - Waterfalls (U.S. National Park Service)

Upper Yosemite Falls crashes to its base, sending spray out in all directions

Yosemite is home to countless waterfalls. The best time to see waterfalls is during spring, when most of the snowmelt occurs. Peak runoff typically occurs in May or June, with some waterfalls (including Yosemite Falls) often only a trickle or completely dry by August. Storms in late fall rejuvenate some of the waterfalls and all of them accumulate frost along their edges many nights during the winter.

Yosemite Falls from the Lower Yosemite Fall trailhead

Yosemite Falls (2,425 ft)
Flows: approximately November through July, with peak flow in May.

Look for the ice cone at the base of the upper fall during winter and for roaring runoff April through June. Yosemite Falls, one of the world's tallest, is actually made up of three separate falls: Upper Yosemite Fall (1,430 feet), the middle cascades (675 feet), and Lower Yosemite Fall (320 feet). You can walk to Lower Yosemite Fall in just a few minutes or hike to the top of Upper Yosemite Fall as a strenuous, all-day hike (see a list of Valley day hikes).

Bridalveil Fall veils the rocks over which it falls

Bridalveil Fall (620 feet)
Flows: all year, with peak flow in May.

This is often the first waterfall seen by visitors entering the park. In spring it thunders; during the rest of the year look for its characteristic light, swaying flow. You can walk to the base in just a few minutes.

Wide Vernal Fall with Merced River in foreground

Vernal Fall (317 feet)
Flows: all year, though by mid- to late summer it narrows and separates into one, two, or three falls as water flows decrease; peaks in late May.

It is best seen from Glacier Point or by hiking up alongside it via the Mist Trail.

Nevada Fall from below and fro side, seen from Mist Trail

Nevada Fall (594 feet)
Flows: all year, with peak flow in late May.

It is best seen from Glacier Point or by hiking up alongside it. Nevada Fall is located above Vernal Fall in an area known as the "giant staircase."

Ribbon Fall seemingly falls out of the sky on an overcast day

Ribbon Fall (1,612 feet)
Flows: approximately March through June, with peak flow in May.

It is located just west of El Capitan and is best seen from near the bottom of Bridalveil Fall.

Horsetail Fall (1,000 feet)
Flows: approximtely December through April.

It is famous for appearing to be on fire when it reflects the orange glow of sunset in mid- to late-February. It falls off of the east side of El Capitan and is best seen from just east of El Capitan.

Broad Illilouette Fall splashes over the edge

Illilouette Fall (370 feet)
Flows: all year, with peak flow in May.

While many hikers notice this waterfall as they're hiking toward Vernal Fall, the best place to see it is on the Panorama Trail, a few miles from Glacier Point.

Wapama Falls heads toward boulders at its base

Wapama Falls (1,400 feet)
Flows: all year, with peak flow in May.

Relatively few people visit Hetch Hetchy Valley to see this roaring waterfall. In some springs, the water from this fall flows over the footbridges near its base.

Chilnualna Falls (about 2,200 feet)
Flows: all year, with peak flow in May

This waterfall hides behind twists and turns in the rock; it's impossible to see the entire fall at the same time. The best way to see the fall is to hike to its top.