A spectacular 594-ft waterfall on a 5.4-mile strenuous hike, most powerful in spring and early summer; no dogs.
National Park entrance fee required
Fullest in spring and early summer from snowmelt, per NPS.
Nevada Fall is one of Yosemite’s most dramatic waterfalls, plunging 594 feet into Merced River Canyon. The 5.4-mile strenuous hike demands solid fitness and mountain experience, but rewards you with one of the park’s most stunning vistas.
The falls are most spectacular in spring and early summer when snowmelt fuels a thunderous cascade. By late summer, flows diminish significantly. Dogs are not permitted on Yosemite trails.
Plan a full day for this hike and start early to ensure ample daylight and water.
Fullest in spring and early summer from snowmelt.
4-5 hours
Not for inexperienced hikers; no dogs allowed.
National Park entrance fee required
Via a 5.4-mile round-trip trail rated strenuous by the managing agency.
No — the managing agency's page states dogs are not permitted here (or on the specific trail/area needed to reach the falls).
We track 9 waterfalls in Yosemite/Sierra Nevada.
There are 4 other waterfalls we track in Mariposa County. All Yosemite/Sierra Nevada waterfalls →
nps.gov
NPS 'Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall Trails' page, checked Aug 2026. Distance is round trip via the Mist Trail to the top of Nevada Fall. The John Muir Trail segment near the top is closed in winter.
Checked August 2026.