Height is the headline. At 620 ft, Bridalveil Fall ranks #2 of the 30 falls whose height has passed our source check, and you feel that scale long before you see the whole drop.
Being part of Yosemite National Park helps. Trails to Bridalveil Fall are generally maintained and signed, and the park is the first place to check for closures before you go.
It is also one of the few falls we can link to a live USGS stream gauge, so you can check how much water is coming down before you leave home.
The draw here is the moment the sound reaches you before the water does. People plan whole days around falls like Bridalveil Fall: a walk through the woods, cold spray at the base, and a quiet spot to sit for a while.
Geology and background
What makes it special
A 620-foot fall, often the first waterfall you see entering Yosemite Valley. Its light, swaying flow thunders in spring and softens through the rest of the year, and a short paved trail leads to its base.
Plan your visit
Getting there and parking
Parking: Bridalveil Fall Parking Area off Wawona Road (Highway 41) or Southside Drive; no shuttle, drive your own car.
Prices and passes
Park fee: $20-$35 for 7 days; additional $100 per non-US resident aged 16+ unless with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass; cashless.
Facilities
Accessibility: Partially accessible: western trail and halfway viewing platform wheelchair-accessible; beyond that the grade increases and is not wheelchair-accessible though paved; wheelchair-accessible family restroom in the parking area.
Restrooms and water: Restrooms in the parking area; no drinking water at the trailhead, base or parking area.
Best time and crowds
Season: Open year-round; peak flow in spring/early summer with heavy spray; low flow about July-October/November; icy in winter.
How long to spend
Allow 20 to 30 minutes for the paved walk to the base and back.
Trail: 0.5 miles round trip, about 80 ft gain, easy, 20 minutes, paved.
Where to stay nearby
Stay in Yosemite Valley or a gateway town; there is no shuttle to this trailhead, so you will drive.
Safety
Safety: Rocks and boulders slippery even when dry, stay on the paved trail; watch for traffic on Southside Drive.
Pets: Leashed pets allowed on this trail.
What to bring
Shoes with real grip
A rain shell for the spray
Water and a snack
An offline map or screenshot
A dry bag for your phone
Cash for parking
A bag to pack out trash
A rain shell in spring, when the spray can soak the end of the trail.
Waterfalls mark a change in the ground beneath a stream: a fault, a glacier-cut valley wall, or a band of hard rock the water cannot wear down as quickly as what lies below it.
Water flow and seasons
The stream that feeds Bridalveil Fall is tracked by USGS gauge 11266500. A reading well above the seasonal median means a fuller fall, and usually a wetter, muddier trail.
Expect the most water in spring and after heavy rain. In a dry spell, especially late summer and early fall, the same fall can look half the size.
The listed hike to Bridalveil Fall is about 0.5 miles. It is rated easy. Trail lengths in our data can mean one way or round trip depending on the source, so confirm on the trailhead sign.
Swimming is not listed. Treat the plunge pool as off-limits unless signs say otherwise: the water at the base is colder and stronger than it looks.
Facilities and amenities
Facilities depend on Yosemite National Park: larger parks usually have a signed trailhead, restrooms and a parking area, while smaller reserves may have none of these.
Plan as if there is no drinking water and no phone signal at the falls themselves. Use the restroom and fill your bottles before you start walking.
Fees, permits, and opening hours
An entry fee of $35.00 is listed. Fees change, and some parks charge per vehicle rather than per person, so confirm before you go.
Most falls are reachable from dawn to dusk. Gates, seasonal road closures and timed-entry permits are the usual surprises, so check the managing agency on the day.
How to get to Bridalveil Fall
Bridalveil Fall is in Yosemite National Park, California. For the last stretch, navigate by coordinates (37.71675, -119.64651) rather than by name. Map apps often send waterfall searches to the wrong parking lot or the far side of the stream.
The final approach is usually the hardest part: narrow roads, small trailhead lots that fill early, and a walk that can be ten minutes or several hours. Download an offline map before you lose signal.
Our California waterfalls page maps every fall in the state, which helps when you are planning a route.
For the fullest flow, visit Bridalveil Fall in spring or within a couple of days of heavy rain. For easier footing and warmer air, early summer is the compromise.
Light matters for photos: the base of a fall is often in shade by midday, and an overcast day evens out the bright water against dark rock.
Crowds and timing
Arrive early or late. The middle of a summer weekend is peak time almost everywhere, and small trailheads can be full by 10 a.m.
Holiday weekends and the first warm days of spring are the busiest of all. If the lot is full, do not park on the road shoulder: it is the most common reason for tickets and towing at trailheads.
How long to spend there
For a 0.5 mile hike, allow roughly 1.0 to 1.5 hours, including time at the falls. Add more if the trail is steep, muddy or busy.
If there are other falls nearby, they are often on the same road or trail system. Two or three in a day is very doable.
Where to stay near Bridalveil Fall
We do not recommend specific places to stay. The links below search for hotels and campgrounds around Bridalveil Fall on Google Maps, so you can compare drive times from the trailhead.
Stay on marked trails and behind railings. Wet, mossy rock near the brink is the most common cause of serious injury.
Never climb the cascade or stand at the top edge, even when the flow looks gentle.
Plunge pools hide cold water, strong currents and submerged logs. Only swim where it is allowed.
In canyons, rain upstream can raise the water in minutes. Leave if the water turns muddy or starts to rise.
Leave no trace: pack out trash, stay off fragile moss and plants, and keep drones grounded where they are banned.
What to bring
Shoes with real grip
A rain shell for the spray
Water and a snack
An offline map or screenshot
A dry bag for your phone
Cash for parking
A bag to pack out trash
Practical visitor tips
Screenshot the directions and these coordinates before you leave town.
Wear shoes you do not mind getting wet: spray reaches further than you expect.
Keep your phone in a zip bag near the base.
Pack out everything, including food scraps.
Tell someone where you are going if the trail is long or remote.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Bridalveil Fall, California located?
Bridalveil Fall is in Yosemite National Park, California. Its GPS coordinates are 37.71675, -119.64651.
What kind of waterfall is Bridalveil Fall, California?
Its form (plunge, cascade, horsetail and so on) is not listed yet.
How tall is Bridalveil Fall?
It is 620 ft tall, a height that passed our source check.
How much does it cost, and when is it open?
A fee of $35.00 is listed. Most falls are open dawn to dusk, but check the managing agency for gates and seasonal closures.
Is Bridalveil Fall good for families?
With a listed hike of about 0.5 miles, it can suit families. Keep children well back from wet rock and the edge.
How do I know if it is flowing?
Check USGS gauge 11266500 for today’s streamflow, and the last three days of rain in the weather panel.
The bottom line
Bridalveil Fall is a 620 ft waterfall worth building a day around. Go early, check recent rain, wear grippy shoes, and give yourself time to sit and listen once you get there.
Waterfalls nearby
One fall rarely fills a day. These are within about 40 miles.
Leave a waterfall report