Winter snow and spring thaw brings water gushing over Yosemite National Park Waterfalls! If you love stunning waterfalls, spring brings the BEST time for viewing!
Yosemite National Park Waterfalls
Living so close to Fresno, visiting Yosemite National Park is an opportunity that Dan and I take advantage of often!
Hey guys, it's Deb stopping by from Bowl Me Over. Today I'm not sharing a recipe, but sharing one of my favorite places to visit! Dan and I do quite a bit of travel and have fun adventures. I'm excited to share some of our adventures with you!
Some spots that we've visited you may want to check out are:
- Mesa Verde National Park with a great recipe for an easy Southwest Salad
- and Exploring the Eastern Sierras with a trip to a real live (dead?!!) ghost town!
And if you're looking for another fun spot to take your kids, try Palm Desert!
Have you been to Yosemite before? If you're looking to see amazing waterfalls, spring is the best time to visit!
The snow-pack was over 150% of normal this year. The melt-off feeds the falls resulting in a stunning, powerful display!
Some of the most popular Yosemite National Park Waterfalls are Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls, Vernal Falls, and Horsetail Waterfall which puts on a stunning fire display in February.
Frequently Asked Questions
Spring is the best time to view the powerful waterfalls. If you're looking for uncrowded viewing, fall is my favorite time to visit the valley. It's less crowded with stunning views, it's so amazing!
Of course! There are five entrances into Yosemite. The most stunning view into Yosemite is by entering Yosemite from Hwy 41 which takes you to Tunnel View.
Prices vary so we suggest you check the National Park Service website. We purchase a yearly pass every year that gets us into all National Parks in the United States - $80 dollars. Great value!
2023 Fee-free Days
No entrance pass is required on these days:
- Monday, January 16 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Saturday, April 22 — First Day of National Park Week
- Friday, August 4 — The Great American Outdoors Act
- Saturday, September 23 — National Public Lands Day
- Saturday, November 11 — Veterans Day
What activities can you do at Yosemite National Park?
- see the waterfalls, of course!
- visit Glacier Point - so beautiful!
- drive up and over Tioga Pass, picnic at Tuolumne Meadows
- continue on Tioga dropping into Mono Lake in the Eastern Sierras
- visit the giant forest
- gaze at the majesty of El Captitan
- rock climbing, and camping of course!
El Capitan on the left with Bridal Veil Falls powering down on the right side of the valley. In the distance, you can see Halfdome a popular hiking destination!
What should I bring to Yosemite National Park?
- everything you need to eat. The eating establishments are few and far between and limited. We always bring in picnics for day trips.
- if you're going to do any hiking, be sure and dress accordingly. Great hiking boots that are comfortable, along with shoes to change out when you're done.
- proper clothing - where it may be 85-90 degrees (or more!) in the valley, temperatures in Yosemite will be cooler. The elevation ranges from 4000 in Yosemite to over 10,000 feet on Tioga Pass. Layers are best!
- because you're at a higher elevation, sunburn is an issue! Be sure and bring plenty of sunscreen, sun hat and glasses.
- don't forget your camera, there is beauty everywhere you look!
Our summer tote is a great resource for road trips!
Bridal Veil Falls, Yosemite
Bridal Veil is open year-round. In the spring when the water is pounding over the falls, it's a great way to cool off because you're probably going to get wet from the spray!
My big concern is always my camera. A DSLR and water don't get along well! Just be careful and cover your camera from the spray.
Vernal Falls
Vernal Fall is a 317 feet waterfall on the Merced River just downstream of Nevada Fall and is visible from Glacier Point.
Unlike some of the other falls, this waterfall runs year-long, by the end of summer it is reduced in volume and can split into multiple strands, rather than a curtain of water.
Yosemite Falls
My favorite fall is Yosemite in the spring! It is the highest waterfall in Yosemite National Park, dropping 2,425 feet from the top of the upper fall to the base of the lower fall.
The walk up to the falls is an easy stroll with an absolutely breathtaking view! If you're inclined and dressed properly, (and well-trained for the hike!) you can even hike up to the top of the falls for another spectacular view!
If you'd like a glimpse of the power of the waterfall right now, click here for the Yosemite Falls webcam.
I hope you enjoyed this tour of Yosemite National Park! It's one of my favorite places to visit! If you've toured the park, I'd love to hear what you loved most! click here for more information from the National Park Service n Yosemite Falls.
More Travel Ideas
Looking for more exciting places to tour? Here are a few more to consider when you're planning your next vacation!
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