Yosemite is home to countless waterfalls. The best time to see waterfalls is during spring, when most of the snowmelt occurs. Peak runoff typically occurs in May or June, with some waterfalls (including Yosemite Falls) often only a trickle or completely dry by August. Storms in late fall rejuvenate some of the waterfalls and all of them accumulate frost along their edges many nights during the winter.
This is not a complete list of Yosemite's waterfalls. While all but the last two of the waterfalls listed below are in Yosemite Valley, both Yosemite Valley and many other areas of the park have waterfalls both big and small.
For more information on these waterfalls, check out our Guide to Yosemite's Waterfalls.
Yosemite Falls (2,425 feet) Yosemite Valley - flows: approximately November through July with peak flow in May.
Sentinel Falls (about 2,000 feet) - flows: approximately March through June, with peak flow in May.
Ribbon Fall (1,612 feet) - flows: approximately March through June, with peak flow in May.
Horsetail Fall (1,000 feet) - flows: approximately December through April. Best viewing time (depending on weather) is mid-February when the sun hits the falls early evening and they look like they are on fire.
Bridalveil Fall (620 feet) Yosemite Valley - flows: all year, with peak flow in May.
Nevada Fall (594 feet) - flows: all year, with peak flow in late May.
Vernal Fall (317 feet) - flows: all year, though by mid to late summer, it narrows and separates into one, two or three falls as water flows decrease. Peaks in late May.
Illilouette Fall (370 feet) - flows: all year, with peak flow in late May.
Wapama Falls (1,400 feet) - flows: all year, with peak flow in May.
Chilnualna Falls (about 2,200 feet) Wawona - flows: all year, with peak flow in May.
