Lower Yosemite Fall Trail

Yosemite National Park, California

This short trail, just 0.5 mile roundtrip from the parking lot, leads to the base of the tallest waterfall in North America—the falls drops 2,425 feet in three tiers (Upper Yosemite Fall at 1,430 feet, Middle Cascades at 675 feet, and Lower Yosemite Fall at 320 feet) from the towering granite cliffs.

Follow the paved trail to a bridge that spans the boulder strewn Yosemite creek—once there, you will be amazed by the view of Lower Yosemite Fall cascading 320 feet over the cliff to the valley below. Of course, standing near the base of the falls provides for an incredible vista, but often the approach to the waterfall is just as spectacular—ponderosa pines and incense cedars that line the path provide the perfect frame for both upper and lower falls.

Reaching the bridge requires a hike of only 0.25 mile from the Yosemite Fall shuttle stop (#6) along the wheelchair-accessible trail, but you can extend your hike by continuing clockwise along the forested path between two branches of Yosemite Creek and then back to the shuttle stop for a roundtrip of 1.1 miles—for an even longer hike, walk along the bike path from the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center for a roundtrip of 1.5 miles.