Mariposa County, California
Waterfalls Near Yosemite Valley, CA
42 named waterfalls lie within 30 miles of Yosemite Valley, 20 of them inside 10 miles. Staircase Falls is the closest at 0.4 miles to the southeast. Tuolumne Falls earns the best visitor rating nearby (5.0 stars from 11 Google reviews).
Distances are straight-line from the town center. Driving routes are longer.
Best Waterfalls Near Yosemite Valley at a Glance
30 Waterfalls Near Yosemite Valley, Ranked by Distance
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Staircase Falls
Staircase Falls is the closest named waterfall to Yosemite Valley, 0.4 miles to the southeast in Mariposa County. It ranks 16th for review count among waterfalls near Yosemite Valley. USGS notes: In Yosemite Natioinal Park, on an unnamed creek on the south wall of Yosemite Valley between Glacier Point and Moran Point. (US-T121)
- Rating
- 4.0 (6 Google reviews)
- Address
- Yosemite Valley, CA 95389
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Royal Arch Cascade
Royal Arch Cascade lies 0.7 miles northeast of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County, number 2 of 30 by distance. It ranks 24th for review count among waterfalls near Yosemite Valley. USGS notes: In Yosemite National Park, on Royal Arch Creek and the north wall of Yosemite Valley above the Merced River at mile marker 128.5. (US-T121)
- Rating
- 5.0 (1 Google reviews)
- Address
- Mariposa County, CA (GPS 37.7496, -119.5707)
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Lower Yosemite Fall
Lower Yosemite Fall lies 1.3 miles northwest of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County, number 3 of 30 by distance. It ranks 6th for review count among waterfalls near Yosemite Valley.
- Rating
- 4.9 (79 Google reviews)
- Address
- Mariposa County, CA (GPS 37.7513, -119.5966)
- Known for
- rocks, wooden overlook bridge, valley views, easy hike, thrilling experience
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Upper Yosemite Falls
Upper Yosemite Falls lies 1.5 miles northwest of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County, number 4 of 30 by distance. It ranks 14th for review count among waterfalls near Yosemite Valley.
- Rating
- 4.7 (7 Google reviews)
- Address
- Mariposa County, CA 95389 (GPS 37.7563, -119.5968)
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Sentinel Fall
Sentinel Fall lies 1.5 miles southwest of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County, number 5 of 30 by distance. It ranks 13th for review count among waterfalls near Yosemite Valley. USGS notes: On the south wall of northern Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park , on Sentinel Creek and the southwest slope of Sentinel Rock, 1.1 km (0.7 mi) west of Sentinel Dome. (US-T121)
- Rating
- 5.0 (8 Google reviews)
- Address
- Mariposa County, CA 95389 (GPS 37.7249, -119.5966)
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Lehamite Falls
Lehamite Falls lies 1.5 miles north of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County, number 6 of 30 by distance. It ranks 22nd for review count among waterfalls near Yosemite Valley. USGS notes: In Yosemite National Park, on the north wall of Yosemite Valley, 0.64 km (0.4 mi) north of the the mouth of Lehamite Creek and 1.6 km (1 mi) north of Yosemite Village. (US-T121).
- Rating
- 5.0 (2 Google reviews)
- Address
- Mariposa County, CA (GPS 37.7624, -119.5788)
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Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Falls lies 1.5 miles northwest of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County, number 7 of 30 by distance. It ranks 3rd for review count among waterfalls near Yosemite Valley. USGS notes: In Yosemite National Park, plunges down the north wall of Yosemite Valley to its floor in two falls, the greater being nearly 1300 feet, total drop over 1600 feet. (US-T121)
- Rating
- 4.8 (140 Google reviews)
- Address
- Mariposa County, CA (GPS 37.7583, -119.5952)
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Vernal Fall
Vernal Fall lies 1.9 miles southeast of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County, number 8 of 30 by distance. It ranks 2nd for review count among waterfalls near Yosemite Valley. Powerful 317-foot waterfall featuring a shady, steep trail to the top & sweeping scenic views.
- Rating
- 4.9 (321 Google reviews)
- Address
- Mariposa County, CA 95389 (GPS 37.7288, -119.5462)
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Illilouette Falls
Illilouette Falls lies 2.1 miles southeast of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County, number 9 of 30 by distance. It ranks 9th for review count among waterfalls near Yosemite Valley. Hiking trails leading to tucked-away waterfalls flowing on granite rocks in a national park.
- Rating
- 4.8 (19 Google reviews)
- Address
- Mariposa County, CA (GPS 37.7138, -119.5618)
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Silver Apron
Silver Apron lies 2.2 miles southeast of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County, number 10 of 30 by distance.
- Address
- Mariposa County, CA (GPS 37.7269, -119.5407)
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Nevada Fall
Nevada Fall lies 2.6 miles southeast of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County, number 11 of 30 by distance. It ranks 4th for review count among waterfalls near Yosemite Valley. 594-ft. waterfall in scenic surrounds, featuring hiking trails to the top & sweeping park vistas.
- Rating
- 4.9 (120 Google reviews)
- Address
- Mariposa County, CA (GPS 37.7252, -119.5338)
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Horsetail Fall
Horsetail Fall lies 2.9 miles west of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County, number 12 of 30 by distance. It ranks 5th for review count among waterfalls near Yosemite Valley. High, thin Yosemite waterfall known for its orange-red glow at sunset on certain days in Feb.
- Rating
- 4.8 (107 Google reviews)
- Address
- Mariposa County, CA 95389 (GPS 37.7291, -119.6285)
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Snow Creek Falls
Snow Creek Falls lies 2.9 miles northeast of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County, number 13 of 30 by distance. It ranks 19th for review count among waterfalls near Yosemite Valley. USGS notes: In Yosemite National Park, 0.8 km (0.5 mi) north of the mouth of Snow Creek at Tenaya Creek on the north wall of Tenaya Canyon. (US-T121)
- Rating
- 5.0 (3 Google reviews)
- Address
- Mariposa County, CA (GPS 37.7655, -119.5349)
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Ribbon Fall
Ribbon Fall lies 3.9 miles west of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County, number 14 of 30 by distance. It ranks 11th for review count among waterfalls near Yosemite Valley. At 1,611-ft., this single-drop waterfall is the longest in North America, viewable in early spring.
- Rating
- 4.5 (12 Google reviews)
- Address
- Mariposa County, CA 95389 (GPS 37.7358, -119.6482)
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Bridalveil Fall
Bridalveil Fall lies 4.1 miles southwest of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County, number 15 of 30 by distance. It draws more Google reviews than any other waterfall near Yosemite Valley. This famous plunge waterfall in Yosemite National Park drops from a height of 617 ft.
- Rating
- 4.8 (379 Google reviews)
- Address
- Mariposa County, CA 95389 (GPS 37.7166, -119.6468)
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Silver Strand Falls
Silver Strand Falls lies 5.6 miles southwest of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County, number 16 of 30 by distance. It ranks 23rd for review count among waterfalls near Yosemite Valley. USGS notes: In Yosemite National Park, on the south wall of Yosemite Valley, between Old Inspiration Point on the west and Stepford Point on the east. (US-T121)
- Rating
- 5.0 (2 Google reviews)
- Address
- Mariposa County, CA (GPS 37.7044, -119.6693)
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Bunnell Cascade
Bunnell Cascade lies 5.8 miles east of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County, number 17 of 30 by distance. USGS notes: In Yosemite National Park, on the northwest slope of Bunnell Point at the head of Lost Valley. (US-T121)
- Address
- Mariposa County, CA (GPS 37.7452, -119.4718)
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Pywiack Cascade
Pywiack Cascade lies 5.8 miles northeast of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County, number 18 of 30 by distance. USGS notes: In Yosemite National Park, on the Tenaya Creek in Tenaya Canyon, 2.1 km (1.3 mi) north of Clouds Rest, 2.6 km (1.6 mi) west-southwest of Mount Watkins, and 2.7 km (1.7 mi) south of Olmstead Peak. (US-T121)
- Address
- Mariposa County, CA (GPS 37.7871, -119.4888)
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The Cascades
The Cascades lies 7.4 miles west of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County, number 19 of 30 by distance. USGS notes: In Yosemite National Park, 0.48 km (0.3 mi) north of the mouth of Cascade Creek on the Merced River and 1.4 km (0.9 mi) north of Elephant Rock. (US-T121)
- Address
- Mariposa County, CA (GPS 37.7269, -119.7129)
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Wildcat Falls
Wildcat Falls lies 7.7 miles west of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County, number 20 of 30 by distance. It ranks 8th for review count among waterfalls near Yosemite Valley. USGS notes: In Yosimite National Park, 0.48 km (0.3 mi) northwest of the mouth of Wildcat Creek and 0.8 mi) northwest of Elephant Rock. (US-T121)
- Rating
- 4.9 (28 Google reviews)
- Address
- Mariposa County, CA 95389 (GPS 37.7235, -119.7174)
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Foresta Falls
Foresta Falls lies 10 miles west of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County, number 21 of 30 by distance. It ranks 17th for review count among waterfalls near Yosemite Valley.
- Rating
- 5.0 (6 Google reviews)
- Address
- Mariposa County, CA 95318 (GPS 37.6927, -119.7599)
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Chinquapin Falls
Chinquapin Falls lies 11 miles southwest of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County, number 22 of 30 by distance. It ranks 20th for review count among waterfalls near Yosemite Valley.
- Rating
- 4.3 (3 Google reviews)
- Address
- Mariposa County, CA 95389 (GPS 37.6669, -119.7568)
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Little Nellie Falls
Little Nellie Falls lies 11 miles west of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County, number 23 of 30 by distance.
- Address
- Mariposa County, CA (GPS 37.7202, -119.7843)
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Chilnualna Fall
Chilnualna Fall lies 12 miles south of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County, number 24 of 30 by distance. It ranks 7th for review count among waterfalls near Yosemite Valley. Waterfalls at Yosemite National Park with 5 cascading tiers, popular for hiking & horseback riding.
- Rating
- 4.8 (32 Google reviews)
- Address
- Mariposa County, CA 95389 (GPS 37.5638, -119.6152)
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California Falls
California Falls lies 14 miles northeast of Yosemite Valley in Tuolumne County, number 25 of 30 by distance. It ranks 18th for review count among waterfalls near Yosemite Valley. USGS notes: In Yosemite National Park, on the Tuolumne River at Glen Aulin. (US-T121)
- Rating
- 5.0 (4 Google reviews)
- Address
- Tuolumne County, CA (GPS 37.9160, -119.4402)
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Le Conte Falls
Le Conte Falls lies 14 miles northeast of Yosemite Valley in Tuolumne County, number 26 of 30 by distance. It ranks 21st for review count among waterfalls near Yosemite Valley. USGS notes: In Yosemite National Park, on the Tuolumne River, just above mile marker 140, on the north slope of Falls Ridge. (US-T121)
- Rating
- 5.0 (3 Google reviews)
- Address
- Tuolumne County, CA (GPS 37.9233, -119.4524)
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Tuolumne Falls
Tuolumne Falls lies 14 miles northeast of Yosemite Valley in Tuolumne County, number 27 of 30 by distance. It ranks 12th for review count among waterfalls near Yosemite Valley. USGS notes: In Yosemite National Park, on Tuolumne River 34 km (2.1 mi) southeast of Wildcat Point and 1 km (0.6 mi) northeast of McGee Lake. (US-T121)
- Rating
- 5.0 (11 Google reviews)
- Address
- Tuolumne County, CA (GPS 37.9058, -119.4177)
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Waterwheel Falls
Waterwheel Falls lies 14 miles northeast of Yosemite Valley in Tuolumne County, number 28 of 30 by distance. It ranks 15th for review count among waterfalls near Yosemite Valley. USGS notes: Along the Tuolumne River, 10.8 km (6.7 mi) north of Tenaya Lake and 17.1 km (10.2 mi) west-southwest of Saddlebag Lake. (US-T121)
- Rating
- 4.9 (7 Google reviews)
- Address
- Tuolumne County, CA (GPS 37.9269, -119.4588)
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White Cascade
White Cascade lies 14 miles northeast of Yosemite Valley in Tuolumne County, number 29 of 30 by distance. USGS notes: Along the Tuolumne River, 3.1 km (1.9 mi) southeast of Wildcat Point and 0.96 km (0.6 mi) northeast of McGee Lake. (US-T121)
- Address
- Tuolumne County, CA (GPS 37.9085, -119.4196)
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Rancheria Falls
Rancheria Falls lies 16 miles northwest of Yosemite Valley in Tuolumne County, number 30 of 30 by distance. It ranks 10th for review count among waterfalls near Yosemite Valley. USGS notes: In Yosemite National Park, on Rancheria Creek 1.6 km (1 mi) east of its mouth with the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and 0.96 km (0.6 mi) north of Le Conte Point. (US-T121)
- Rating
- 4.9 (18 Google reviews)
- Address
- Tuolumne County, CA (GPS 37.9549, -119.7105)
Where the Waterfalls Are
Yosemite Valley sits in or near the Yosemite and the Western Sierra area of California. The western slope of the Sierra Nevada holds the densest concentration of named falls in the state. In Yosemite Valley, Bridalveil Fall drops over the south wall, while Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall step down the Merced River's granite staircase above the valley. Tuolumne County covers the park's northern country, including Hetch Hetchy. Farther south, Madera, Fresno and Tulare counties take in the high country around Sequoia and Kings Canyon, with Three Rivers as a gateway town. North of Yosemite, El Dorado County's Bassi Falls flows over broad granite slabs in the Crystal Basin area. Granite here is smooth, polished and very slippery when wet. Read the California waterfall guide.
By direction from Yosemite Valley: 8 to the northeast, 8 to the northwest, 6 to the west, 5 to the southeast, 5 to the south, 4 to the east, 4 to the southwest, and 2 to the north. They are spread across Mariposa County (24), Tuolumne County (10), Madera County (7), and Mono County (1). The average distance is 11.7 miles.
By Distance
Within 10 miles of Yosemite Valley
Staircase Falls (0.4 mi), Royal Arch Cascade (0.7 mi), Lower Yosemite Fall (1.3 mi), Upper Yosemite Falls (1.5 mi), Sentinel Fall (1.5 mi), Lehamite Falls (1.5 mi), Yosemite Falls (1.5 mi), Vernal Fall (1.9 mi), Illilouette Falls (2.1 mi), Silver Apron (2.2 mi), Nevada Fall (2.6 mi), Horsetail Fall (2.9 mi), Snow Creek Falls (2.9 mi), Ribbon Fall (3.9 mi), Bridalveil Fall (4.1 mi), Silver Strand Falls (5.6 mi), Bunnell Cascade (5.8 mi), Pywiack Cascade (5.8 mi), The Cascades (7.4 mi), Wildcat Falls (7.7 mi)
10 to 20 miles of Yosemite Valley
Foresta Falls (10 mi), Chinquapin Falls (11 mi), Little Nellie Falls (11 mi), Chilnualna Fall (12 mi), California Falls (14 mi), Le Conte Falls (14 mi), Tuolumne Falls (14 mi), Waterwheel Falls (14 mi), White Cascade (14 mi), Rancheria Falls (16 mi), Wapama Falls (19 mi), Tueeulala Falls (19 mi), Preston Falls (19 mi)
20 to 30 miles of Yosemite Valley
Red Rock Falls (21 mi), Corlieu Falls (23 mi), Camino Falls (24 mi), Minaret Falls (27 mi), Angel Falls (28 mi), Jawbone Falls (28 mi), Lower Rainbow Falls (29 mi), Rainbow Falls (29 mi), Horsetail Falls (30 mi)
Nearby Towns With Waterfalls
Waterfalls Near Yosemite Valley: FAQs
How many waterfalls are near Yosemite Valley, CA?
42 named waterfalls lie within 30 miles of Yosemite Valley: 20 within 10 miles, 13 10 to 20 miles, 9 20 to 30 miles. Distances are straight-line from the town center.
What is the closest waterfall to Yosemite Valley?
Staircase Falls in Mariposa County is the closest, about 0.4 miles southeast of Yosemite Valley.
What is the best-rated waterfall near Yosemite Valley?
Tuolumne Falls has the highest Google rating among nearby falls with at least 10 reviews: 5.0 stars from 11 Google reviews. The most reviewed is Bridalveil Fall.
Which counties are the waterfalls near Yosemite Valley in?
Mariposa County (24), Tuolumne County (10), Madera County (7), and Mono County (1).
How does Yosemite Valley compare with other California towns?
Yosemite Valley ranks 1st of the 86 California towns in our directory for the number of waterfalls within 30 miles.