Carlon Falls
California · 35-foot drop · Yosemite Wilderness (Yosemite NP) · Last verified 2026-05-23
Today at Carlon Falls: clear, 56°F.
Right now
Overnight
56°F
Clear
Friday
87°F
Sunny
Today's daylight
Sunrise 5:45 AM · Sunset 8:23 PM · 14h 38m
Snapshot built 12m ago. Sources: NWS HNX.
No verified photo yet
Carlon Falls is a 35-foot cascade on the South Fork Tuolumne River just inside the Yosemite Wilderness boundary off Evergreen Rd. The trail is a forgiving 2.8 miles round trip with only 250 ft of gain — and the swimming hole at the base is the real draw. Late May through September is prime: the runoff settles, the water warms up, and the pool stays deep enough to actually swim in. Dogs are not allowed past the park boundary.
The trail
2.8 miles each way, rated easy with 250 feet of elevation gain. Trailhead off Evergreen Rd, just past the old Carlon Day Use Area outside the Yosemite Big Oak Flat entrance. Free.
Compare to nearby falls
If this one isn't the right fit, here's how it stacks up against the closest documented falls. Every column is filterable on the site — not buried in 13,000 reviews.
| Waterfall | Distance | Height | Trail | Dogs | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlon Falls (this page) | — | 35 ft | easy · 2.8 mi | N | Free |
| Preston Falls | 6 mi | — | — | — | — |
| Little Nellie Falls | 7 mi | — | — | Y | Free |
| Upper Cascades | 9 mi | — | — | N | — |
| Wildcat Falls | 9 mi | 623 ft | — | N | — |
| Foresta Falls | 9 mi | — | — | N | — |
Related waterfalls
Similar height (~35 ft)
- Horsehead Creek Falls35 ft
- Ortega Falls35 ft
- Profile Falls35 ft
- Seven Falls35 ft
- Stack Rock Falls35 ft
Same best season in California
- Illilouette Fall370 ft
- Potem Falls70 ft
- Mist Falls45 ft
- Seven Teacups200 ft
Questions visitors ask about Carlon Falls
Answers built from our structured data. If a question isn't here, the fact is unverified — we'd rather omit than guess.
How tall is Carlon Falls?
Carlon Falls is 35 feet (11 m) tall. Height is sourced from Stanislaus NF / Yosemite NPS.
Is Carlon Falls in a national or state park?
Yes — Carlon Falls is inside Yosemite Wilderness (Yosemite NP). See the park page for fees, hours, and current conditions.
Can I bring my dog to Carlon Falls?
No — dogs are not allowed on trails here. Most National Park trails prohibit pets to protect wildlife. Service animals are an exception per ADA.
Can you swim at Carlon Falls?
Carlon Falls has a swimmable area. The pool at the base of the falls is one of the best swimming spots in the Yosemite area — deep, clear, and warmer than most Sierra waters once spring runoff settles in late May to September.
When is the best time to visit Carlon Falls?
Peak flow is typically June, July, August, September. Season-wise: summer, fall. Snowmelt and recent rain affect day-to-day volume.
Is there a fee to visit Carlon Falls?
No entrance fee. Yosemite Wilderness (Yosemite NP) is free to access. Some trailheads may charge a parking fee separately.
How far is Carlon Falls from a major city?
Carlon Falls is 15 miles from Groveland (about 25 minutes' drive).
More waterfalls in California
Where it is
37.8031, -119.8435
Sources and live status
Where we got the data, and where to check current conditions before you drive.
Official land manager
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/stanislaus/recreation/trails/carlon-falls-trail
Wikidata (Q136509321)
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q136509321
Last verified by Fallspots: 2026-05-23
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