Both in Yosemite National Park, <1 mi apart · <1 mi apart
Lower Yosemite Fall vs Upper Yosemite Fall
Two waterfalls in our directory, side by side. Same data we use on the individual pages — height, access, what we know, what we don't.
California
Lower Yosemite FallLower Yosemite Fall is the 320-foot bottom tier of the three-tier Yosemite Falls system in Yosemite Valley. The full Yosemite Falls system (Upper + Middle Cascades + Lower) drops 2,425 feet total — among the tallest waterfalls in North America — but Lower Yosemite Fall alone is 320 ft. The wheelchair-accessible viewing area is the most-photographed spot in Yosemite Valley, an easy 1-mile loop from the Yosemite Lodge.
See the full page →California
Upper Yosemite FallUpper Yosemite Fall is the 1,430-foot top tier of Yosemite Falls — the most famous waterfall in Yosemite National Park and the dramatic upper plunge visible from across the valley. The full Yosemite Falls system drops 2,425 ft total: Upper (1,430 ft) + Middle Cascades (675 ft) + Lower Yosemite Fall (320 ft). Reaching the brink requires the 7.2-mile (3.4 mi each way) Upper Yosemite Fall Trail, a strenuous switchback climb gaining 2,700 ft of elevation.
See the full page →| Spec | Lower Yosemite Fall | Upper Yosemite Fall |
|---|---|---|
| State | California | California |
| Height | 320 ft | 1,430 ft |
| Type | — | — |
| Watercourse | — | — |
| Park | Yosemite National Park | Yosemite National Park |
| County | — | Mariposa |
| Elevation | 1402 m | 1983 m |
| Nearest city | Yosemite Valley (1 mi) | Yosemite Valley (1 mi) |
| Dogs allowed | No | No |
About Lower Yosemite Fall
Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in Yosemite National Park, dropping a total of 2,425 feet (739 m) from the top of the upper fall to the base of the lower fall. Located in the Sierra Nevada of California, it is a major attraction in the park, especially in late spring when the water flow is at its peak.
About Upper Yosemite Fall
Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in Yosemite National Park, dropping a total of 2,425 feet (739 m) from the top of the upper fall to the base of the lower fall. Located in the Sierra Nevada of California, it is a major attraction in the park, especially in late spring when the water flow is at its peak.
Where they are
Dashed line shows the straight-line distance (<1 mi). Actual drive time depends on the route — neither pin is the parking lot, so use a map app for turn-by-turn.
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