Fallspots

National Park · UNESCO World Heritage · Founded 1890

Waterfalls in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park landscape photograph
Photo via Wikipedia. See the Wikipedia article for full attribution.

Yosemite National Park is a national park of the United States in California. It is bordered on the southeast by the Sierra National Forest and on the northwest by Stanislaus National Forest. The park is managed by the National Park Service and covers 1,187 mi2 (3,070 km2) in four counties – centered in Tuolumne and Mariposa, extending north and east to Mono and south to Madera. Designated a World Heritage Site in 1984, Yosemite is internationally recognized for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, groves of giant sequoia, lakes, mountains, meadows, glaciers, and biological diversity. Almost 95 percent of the park is designated wilderness. Yosemite is one of the largest and least fragmented habitat blocks in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Source: Wikipedia — “Yosemite National Park”

45 documented waterfalls in Yosemite National Park

Every named waterfall we've catalogued inside the park boundary, sorted by popularity. Click through for height, access, photos, live streamflow, and seasonal guidance.

Plan your visit

For fees, hours, current alerts, lodging, and downloadable maps, the National Park Service is the authoritative source. We link directly so you always see the freshest info.

When the park is busy

4,140,000 visitors per year (2023-2024 average). Peak is Jul, quietest is Jan.

Showing typical monthly distribution for parks with similar climate. Plan around the peak if you want fewer crowds — shoulder months often have the same scenery without the wait.

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Source: NPS IRMA Visitor Use Statistics. Annual total reflects 2023-2024 average; monthly shape is climate-modeled.

Questions visitors ask

Is there a fee to enter Yosemite National Park?

Yes. Yosemite National Park charges an entrance fee that varies by vehicle type and pass. The America the Beautiful annual pass covers most National Parks. See the official NPS fee page for current amounts: https://nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/fees.htm

How many waterfalls are in Yosemite National Park?

We've documented 45 named waterfalls inside the park boundary using OpenStreetMap, USGS GNIS, and point-in-polygon checks against the official NPS boundary.

What's the best time of year to see waterfalls in Yosemite National Park?

We don't have season data on enough waterfalls inside Yosemite National Park yet to recommend a window.

Can I bring my dog to Yosemite National Park?

Most National Parks restrict dogs to developed areas (parking lots, paved roads, campgrounds) and prohibit them on most trails. Check the park's specific pet policy before visiting: https://nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/pets.htm

What are Yosemite National Park's hours?

Yosemite National Park is generally open 24/7, but visitor centers, roads, and specific facilities have their own hours and seasonal closures. Always check current conditions: https://nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Answers cross-reference official NPS pages and our point-in-polygon dataset. NPS is authoritative for fees, hours, and current conditions — always click through before driving.