Lower Yosemite Falls Hiking Trail
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When visiting Yosemite Valley, you’ll immediately take notice of its collective grandeur. Everywhere you look, it’s one amazing sight after another. One of those sights which stand out amongst most is the park’s namesake - Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America at 2,425 feet.
When searching for the best things to do in Yosemite Valley, many will point to the Upper Yosemite Falls hike and for good reason. The views from up there are simply incredible. However, it’s a physically demanding, time consuming hike.
For those who don’t have the time (or energy) to tackle the upper falls, and simply want an up-close view of this magnificent waterfall, there’s the Lower Yosemite Falls hiking trail. It’s an excellent option for those just looking to hit up the highlights.
So where do you park to see Yosemite Falls? How long is the trail to the lower portion? Is this trail stroller friendly? I answer all of these questions and more in the post below.
Trail Stats
Location: Yosemite Valley, California
Fee: Standard park entry fee (currently $35)
Open: All year
Cell Service: Decent, but can be spotty
Restroom: Semi-large structure with flush toilets at the trailhead
Parking: Large day-use lot east of Yosemite Valley Lodge
EV Stations: Rivian Waypoint stations in the Yosemite Valley Lodge lot
Difficulty: Easy
Popularity: Mega high
Mileage: One mile for the whole loop
Time: Less than one hour
Elevation Gain: 55 feet
Condition: Well maintained
Features: Lower portion of Yosemite Falls
Best Viewed: November - June (peak flow in May)
Pets: Allowed, but must be leashed
Drones: Prohibited
Hazards: Wildlife encounters are possible, as well as slippery rocks around the waterfall (off trail)
My Visit(s): 2015, 2020, 2021 and 2024
Lower Yosemite Falls Parking
Much like the rest of Yosemite Valley, finding parking for Yosemite Falls can be quite the hassle. It’s for this reason I always encourage people to utilize the free Yosemite Valley Shuttle. It makes multiple stops at most of the valley highlights and is easy to use.
However, if you insist on using your own vehicle to get around, you’ll find parking for Yosemite Falls (either the upper or lower trails) in the lot east of Yosemite Valley Lodge, just a bit further down Northside Drive.
To get to the trailhead from here, you can, in theory, walk along Northside Drive but I don’t recommend it. The best (and safest) ways to reach it are to either cross the street and take the trail that cuts through Camp 4 or take the trail through Yosemite Valley Lodge and then cross the street to the trailhead.
Either way, you’re looking at a (roughly) half a mile walk to the trailhead, one way. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the parking lot directly across the street. I’m not encouraging you to park there as that area is typically reserved for hotel guests, but it is there. So do with that what you will.
Again, I’m going to strongly encourage you to utilize the shuttle. Park your vehicle at either Curry Village or Yosemite Village and hop on. Be sure you’re taking the valley-wide shuttle and not the east valley one. Shuttle service begins at 7am and ends at 10pm and again, it is free. The stop you’ll use for Yosemite Falls is #6.
Lower Yosemite Falls Trail
Both the trail to the base of the falls, and the conjoining loop, are paved paths with virtually no elevation gain to speak of. They’re also wheelchair and stroller accessible, making it an ideal outing for the entire family.
To the right of the trailhead is a semi-large structure with flushable toilets, water bootle refill stations and an array of unshaded picnic tables. It’s busy here quite often so if you’re looking to enjoy a quiet picnic, this isn’t it.
The lower section of Yosemite Falls is on full display in front of you at the trailhead so to continue, simply head straight for it and follow the path. If you’re here during the busy summer season, get here early in the morning and you’ll likely have it (mostly) to yourself.
About a quarter mile after starting, the trail will veer to the right and you’ll arrive to the base of the falls. As stated above, if you’re here in the early morning, you’ll likely only encounter a few others. After that, though, the crowds will be sizable. So pack your patience.
With few exceptions, don’t expect to see water flowing past June. Every so often there’s still flow into July, but it’s rare. If you want to see Yosemite Falls at its fullest, I recommend visiting no later than May. Once you get into July and August, the falls are all but dried up for the season.
If you feel inclined, you can boulder-hop your way to a closer view of the falls. I’m assuming Yosemite doesn’t prohibit this, as many were doing it and the ranger that was there didn’t seem to mind. Be careful, though. Those granite rocks are notoriously slick.
Most people stop here and head back the same way they came. For a more tranquil experience, traverse over Yosemite Creek via the wooden bridge and continue on the loop trail. Here, you’ll walk through a cluster of tall redwoods, which provide much needed shade. You’ll also get continued views of Yosemite Falls.
This segment of the trail was a virtual ghost town compared to what I experienced on the other side and at the base. Definitely don’t skip the other half of the loop. If nothing else, it’s a relatively peaceful escape from the crowds.
Shortly after crossing the bridge, you’ll come to a massive granite rock. There’s nothing inherently special about it that I was able to determine, but it’s crazy to think how loud of a noise that thing caused when it slammed into the valley floor all those years ago.
Shortly after the big rock, you’ll reach a segment of the trail that transitions from pavement to a wooden boardwalk. I asked about this and was told it’s because early in the season, there’s often runoff from Yosemite Creek and the boardwalk allows the runoff to flow while enabling visitors to still enjoy the trail.
In between the boardwalks there’s a small detour you can take for a view of the falls. Look for a small sign stating “falls view”. You’ll come to the view shortly after taking the detour. The view from here isn’t all that unique, but it’s still worth checking out since the detour only takes a few minutes.
If you’ve taken the shuttle to Lower Yosemite Falls, you’ll find shuttle stop #6 prior to the end of the loop, along Northside Drive to the left of the trail. Otherwise, continue on the loop to reach the trailhead, and continue to your vehicle.
Lower Yosemite Falls Common Questions
What is the difference between Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls?
Yosemite Falls is comprised of three parts - the lower falls, middle cascade and the upper falls. Together, they create Yosemite Falls. The upper portion is 1,430 feet tall while the lower portion stands at 320 feet. When adding in the middle cascade, the waterfall’s total height is 2,425 feet.
How long does it take to hike Lower Yosemite Falls?
That all depends on your fitness level and walking stride but generally, I would say less than one hour (including time spent at the base).
Is the Yosemite Falls hike hard?
The lower loop trail? No. It’s easy. If you’ve heard someone referring to this hike as hard, they were referring to the Upper Yosemite Falls hike which is a hard, physically demanding hike.
Do you need a reservation for Yosemite Falls?
Not for the falls itself but dependent on when you visit, you may need a day-use reservation to enter Yosemite.
Can you see Yosemite Falls without hiking?
You won’t be able to see the base but yes, there are many points throughout the park where you can see Yosemite Falls without hiking. A few include from the trailhead of this hike, Cook’s Meadow and Glacier Point.
Can you see Yosemite Falls from Tunnel View?
No, you cannot see it from Tunnel View.
When is Yosemite Falls dry?
Yosemite Falls typically begins to dry up around late June or early July. By late July, all you’ll be looking at is a smooth granite surface. If you want to see Yosemite Falls, plan you visit for between November to June. May is the falls’ peak flow time. If Yosemite Falls is dry during your visit, you can still see Bridalveil Falls, which flows all year.
PSALM 121:8
