Height is the headline. At 317 ft, Vernal Fall ranks #5 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 Vernal Fall are generally maintained and signed, and the park is the first place to check for closures before you go.
The draw here is the moment the sound reaches you before the water does. People plan whole days around falls like Vernal Fall: a walk through the woods, cold spray at the base, and a quiet spot to sit for a while.
Geology and background
A 317-foot waterfall on the Merced River below Nevada Fall in Yosemite National Park, visible from the Mist Trail and from Glacier Point. Flow is year-round but much reduced by late summer.
What makes it special
A 317-foot fall on the Merced River in Yosemite Valley, reached on the Mist Trail from Happy Isles. The footbridge gives the classic view, and the trail above it climbs more than 600 granite steps to the top, with Emerald Pool and Silver Apron beyond.
Plan your visit
Getting there and parking
Trailhead: Happy Isles, shuttle stop 16; no parking at the trailhead, park at Curry Village less than 1 mile away.
Prices and passes
Entrance: No entrance reservation in 2026; entrance fee still applies.
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: Trail is not accessible.
Restrooms and water: Restrooms at the shuttle stop and at the footbridge (May-October); drinking water only at those two points (May-October).
Best time and crowds
Season: Best in spring/early summer for peak flow and spray; lower Mist Trail closes in winter for ice/rock risk.
How long to spend
Allow 1 to 1.5 hours to the footbridge, or about 3 hours to the top of the fall.
Footbridge: 1.6 miles round trip, 400 ft gain, moderate, 1-1.5 hours.
Top of Vernal Fall: 2.4 miles round trip, 1,000 ft gain, strenuous, 600+ steps.
Where to stay nearby
Stay in Yosemite Valley near Curry Village, less than a mile from the trailhead, or in a gateway town outside the park.
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
No stream gauge is linked to Vernal Fall yet, so recent rain is your best guide. The weather panel on this page adds up the last three days of rain at the fall.
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 trail and the viewpoint
The listed hike to Vernal Fall is about 2.4 miles. It is rated strenuous. Trail lengths in our data can mean one way or round trip depending on the source, so confirm on the trailhead sign.
Swimming is listed as: prohibited. Follow posted signs, and stay out of the water when it is high or fast.
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 Vernal Fall
Vernal Fall is in Yosemite National Park, California. For the last stretch, navigate by coordinates (37.72743, -119.54377) 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 Vernal 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 2.4 mile hike, allow roughly 1.7 to 2.6 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 Vernal Fall
We do not recommend specific places to stay. The links below search for hotels and campgrounds around Vernal 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 Vernal Fall, California located?
Vernal Fall is in Yosemite National Park, California. Its GPS coordinates are 37.72743, -119.54377.
What kind of waterfall is Vernal Fall, California?
Its form (plunge, cascade, horsetail and so on) is not listed yet.
How tall is Vernal Fall?
It is 317 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 Vernal Fall good for families?
It depends on the trail, which we have not confirmed. Check the length and terrain first, and keep children well back from wet rock and the edge.
How do I know if it is flowing?
No gauge is linked, so use the last three days of rain in the weather panel: more rain usually means more water.
The bottom line
Vernal Fall is a 317 ft waterfall worth building a day around. Check the flow before you go, start early to beat the crowds, and stay well back from the edge.
Waterfalls nearby
One fall rarely fills a day. These are within about 40 miles.
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