Vernal Fall
Vernal Fall
4.5
About
Though not as tall as Yosemite Falls, Vernal Fall is popular for the green foliage that surrounds it year-round and the rainbow mist it produces as the water cascades.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,405 reviews
Excellent
1,081
Very good
279
Average
35
Poor
7
Terrible
3
Paul Smith Palliser
Peru302 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Couples
Went in September so the crowds were not that heavy but still recommend arriving there around 6 am to fully enjoy the falls without the crowds.
Written October 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Waddler
York, UK10,071 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Solo
Unfortunately the Mist Trail was closed until 3.30 on the day I was there. You really need the Mist Trail to get the full effect of these falls. You can see the falls from a distance on the JMT or else from a top down angle at the top of the falls by heading down from Clark Point, but I couldn't really get the full appreciation.
Flow was good but 2023 was an unusual year with record snow melt and also Storm Hilary dumping unusual levels of August rain.
Flow was good but 2023 was an unusual year with record snow melt and also Storm Hilary dumping unusual levels of August rain.
Written September 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
trazi
New York65 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Couples
Spectacular falls, beautiful views. Suggest you don’t just do the short out-and-back to the Vernal fall. Instead go up on the John Muir Trail and come back on the Vernal Fall mist trail. That way you also see the Nevada fall, from Clark Point, and you arrive at the top of the Vernal Fall, totally surprised and awe struck. You will also lose some of the crowd on the way up.
Written August 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NewarkGin
Newark, DE105 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We took the shuttle to this trail fairly early on a Friday morning. Although the trail up to the foot bridge of vernal falls is only 8/10 of a mile, we learned from one of the Yosemite Conservancy guides that the gain in elevation is about 400 feet. This translates into a very steep hike up 95% of the way, but also a very uncomfortable hike down as well. There is some dirt on the inside edge of the path as you come down, which is to be expected because it’s right next to the rocks. But because the trail is so packed with people, when you’re coming down, you’re stuck kind of hugging that wall so you’re on that dirt, which makes you slide.
That being said, the view from the foot bridge is beautiful and I’m glad that we did it. It was fairly early in the morning and still cool, and there was a lot of shade; if it had been hotter or sunnier, I personally would not have been able to do it . Of course if you set out to reach the foot bridge, and it’s too steep for you, you can always turn around!
That being said, the view from the foot bridge is beautiful and I’m glad that we did it. It was fairly early in the morning and still cool, and there was a lot of shade; if it had been hotter or sunnier, I personally would not have been able to do it . Of course if you set out to reach the foot bridge, and it’s too steep for you, you can always turn around!
Written May 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2BEis2SKI
Charlotte, NC1,375 contributions
Oct. 2022
Falls were beautiful but not at full strength as it was October. For me, it was as much or more about the vistas and the exercise.
These trails are strenuous. There are very few places where there is flat ground and many places where there are at least 20-25 degree inclines as well as countless steps.
Once you reach Vernal Falls though, there is room to rest, take in the beauty and catch you breathe.
A word of caution too that a lot of people attempt this hike and you have to pass many that are moving more slowly. There were definitely some traffic jams on the way up and back.
These trails are strenuous. There are very few places where there is flat ground and many places where there are at least 20-25 degree inclines as well as countless steps.
Once you reach Vernal Falls though, there is room to rest, take in the beauty and catch you breathe.
A word of caution too that a lot of people attempt this hike and you have to pass many that are moving more slowly. There were definitely some traffic jams on the way up and back.
Written November 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ron c
Finksburg, MD701 contributions
Sep. 2022
Well we loved seeing the falls from the bridge, but really disappointed the Mist Trail was closed during the day. After the brutal climb up theJohn Muir trail, it was disappointing to not get that close to the falls. Maybe next time !
Written October 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lizpeth B
Chino Hills, CA5 contributions
Aug. 2022 • Friends
Vernal Falls is just as beautiful from last time we visited . However, at this time, the water level was low and not misty as the trail was named towards the falls.
We did not bother to go to the Lower Yosemite Falls after the ranger advised us that the falls was dry .
We enjoyed the Mariposa Grove and learned a lot of things about the trees, thanks to a knowledgeable ranger who gave us an inspiring talk about the place.
We did not bother to go to the Lower Yosemite Falls after the ranger advised us that the falls was dry .
We enjoyed the Mariposa Grove and learned a lot of things about the trees, thanks to a knowledgeable ranger who gave us an inspiring talk about the place.
Written September 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lou181818
Bath, UK2,151 contributions
Aug. 2022 • Family
This trail starts moderate but gets tougher with steep unsteady path and steps. You need sensible walking footwear and a level of fitness to get to the top of the waterfall and come back down the same way. We set off 8am and there were flies around but cool, returning 1-2pm it was much hotter, busier and no flies.
Written August 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack R
New York City, NY30 contributions
Jun. 2022 • Family
This trail is good. The terrain isn’t anything extremely hard (wait until the end) at the beginning, and you can see the waterfall from a bridge halfway through! But if you want to go to the top, you have to go up strenuous steps and hard terrain! But the view is worth it! And on my trip we even saw a bear family from a safe distance!
Written July 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AFischer3
Grandville, MI14 contributions
Jun. 2022
We started just after 7am and had few others with us on the trail. It was a steep incline, but most people can do this very popular hike. I wouldn’t have wanted to be starting this hike later in the day like the people we saw on our way back down from Nevada Fall.
Written June 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jill S
Medford, NJ3 contributions
Hi we are visiting with 3 children 13, 9 and 2. Where should we stay and what should we attempt to do in yosemite?
PacificNWFamily
Washington State100,779 contributions
Note that few people look at the Q&A features on TripAdvisor. The forums are much more active.
Bonjour,
Comment est la cascade en juillet ? ( y a t-il de l'eau, quel débit?)
Combien de temps de marche aller retour pour accéder seulement au pied de la cascade ?
Cordialement
PacificNWFamily
Washington State100,779 contributions
Hi
Yes, there should be a decent amount of water in the Merced River in July. You can't walk to the base of Vernal Fall, but you can go up the paved trail to the footbridge which has a view. Or you can see the waterfall from Glacier Point.
I highly recommend using the Yosemite forum instead of this seldom seen Q&A feature. Let folks on the forum know if you're using Google Translate when you post in English on that forum.
Can you see the waterfall at the point where the pavement ends? I don't think I'll be able to go past that, up the scary part. Thanks.
davidbL5878OO
Jacksonville Beach, FL13 contributions
You can get a good view of the falls before the steep stairs section, but you need to go well past the bridge. The paved path leading to the bridge is a pretty steep incline, then you need to go another half a mile or so which is not as steep and follows along and overlooking the river, which is very inspiring and you will make many stops to take pictures. Then you will get to a point where you can see the falls, just before the steep incline. You may even be motivated to take a few sections of the steep stairs to get a little better view, it is so awesome!
Donna L
Milford, CT50 contributions
Will there be waterfalls flowing if i come at end of june/beginning of july?
PacificNWFamily
Washington State100,779 contributions
Vernal Fall is fed by the Merced River. It always has water, regardless of the snowpack or season. On average, the highest water level is usually May/June and the lowest water level is October.
Yosemite Falls is fed by seasonal stream Yosemite Creek and will usually stop flowing in late summer or early fall.
June / July is fine for water flow.
Swetha J
Tempe, AZ
How much time does it take approximately for the round trip if you want to go till the end of the trail ?
Ben S
Chippenham, UK163 contributions
With my 9 year old and 6 year old, it took us a little over 4 hours. We also had 20 min at the top to enjoy the pool of water. We probably walked a slightly faster than average pace based on the amount of people that we passed.
Laura_Testo
Milan, Italy23 contributions
Ciao, secondo voi il percorso per arrivare alla Vernal Fall è praticabile con due bimbi di 4 e 8 anni?
Grazie mille per le risposte!
Andrea A
Bussoleno, Italy201 contributions
Il percorso è in salita, su un bel sentiero largo e nella parte bassa asfaltato. Un po prima della cascata si stringe e passa tra pietre e rocce, ma nulla di vertiginoso. Sono circa 3 km per andare e 300 m di dislivello. Se il bimbo di 4 anni cammina non penso ci siano problemi, nell'ultima parte lo dovrà tenere per mano, anche perchè genere c'è anche parecchia gente ed il sentierino è stretto. Se decide di andare in cima alla cascata, sulla destra c'è una scalinata tagliata nella roccia, con scalini irregolari, magari lo dovrà aiutare ma sopra c'è un bel laghetto. saluti.
Armando G
Salinas, CA4 contributions
Hello,
Is there overnight backpacking at Vernal falls? If not what is the closest place? I am trying to find a starting trail head for my upcoming backpacking trip that passes through Vernal falls.
thanks
PacificNWFamily
Washington State100,779 contributions
No. You need to be further from civilization in Yosemite Valley. Check the NPS website about backpacking.
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Claim your listingVERNAL FALL - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Vernal Fall
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Vernal Fall:
- Yosemite Valley Private Winter Hiking Tour (From C$475.63)
- Yosemite Day Hike from Glacier Point Including Panorama Trail (From C$543.58)
- Yosemite Mist Trail and Nevada Fall Loop Private Day Hike (From C$475.63)
- One Day In Yosemite Private Tour:Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point & Giant Sequoias (From C$679.47)
- Yosemite Classic Camping Trips (From C$3,397.36)
- Hotels near Vernal Fall:
- (14.85 km) Yosemite Gateway/Horse Ranch Cottage/Outdoor SoakingTub & Shower/Views/Trails
- (3.47 km) Housekeeping Camp
- (2.72 km) Curry Village
- (3.40 km) The Ahwahnee
- (4.92 km) Yosemite High Sierra Camps
- Restaurants near Vernal Fall:
- (2.65 km) Curry Village Dining Pizza Deck
- (3.42 km) The Ahwahnee Dining Room
- (5.14 km) Mountain Room Restaurant
- (3.37 km) Ahwahnee Hotel Bar
- (4.34 km) Degnan's Kitchen