A 594-foot waterfall reached by a strenuous extension of Yosemite's Mist Trail beyond Vernal Fall.
Nevada Fall drops 594 feet in the upper Merced River canyon, one tier above Vernal Fall in Yosemite Valley's celebrated staircase of waterfalls. It sits well beyond the top of Vernal Fall, where the Mist Trail rejoins the John Muir Trail for a steeper, more exposed climb past Liberty Cap. Reaching it means continuing past Vernal Fall's footbridge and summit onto trail the National Park Service rates strenuous rather than moderate.
From the Happy Isles trailhead, the round trip to the top of Nevada Fall runs 5.4 miles with about 2,000 feet of elevation gain - roughly double the distance and gain of stopping at Vernal Fall - and the Park Service estimates five to six hours. Beyond Nevada Fall, the route continues into Little Yosemite Valley and can be paired with the Panorama Trail from Glacier Point for a longer one-way hike. At our review, the Park Service reported the Mist Trail between its John Muir Trail junction and the top of Vernal Fall open only Fridays through Sundays and holidays (weekdays 3:30 p.m.-7 a.m.) through October 2026 for repair work, and reminded hikers that swimming above Vernal Fall at Emerald Pool and Silver Apron is illegal and dangerous.
On 2026-10-11 the official NPS trail page reported the Mist Trail between its John Muir Trail junction and the top of Vernal Fall open only Fridays through Sundays and holidays (weekdays 3:30 p.m.-7 a.m.) through October 2026 for repair work. Check the official page for updates. Check the current notice ↗
Know before you go
Happy Isles trailhead (shuttle stop 16) in Yosemite Valley; no separate access point for Nevada Fall itself.
Open year-round; heaviest spray and flow in spring, icy footing possible in winter. Check current conditions.
Mist Trail/John Muir Trail to the top of Nevada Fall: 5.4-mile round trip from Happy Isles, about 2,000 ft elevation gain; strenuous, 5-6 hours.
Yosemite National Park entrance fee, $35 per private vehicle, valid 7 days; no separate trail fee. No vehicle reservation required in 2026.
Steep, uneven granite stairway and switchbacks; not wheelchair accessible.
2026-10-12. Conditions and requirements can change; confirm with the land manager before travelling.
Sources & further reading
- NPS — Vernal and Nevada Fall Trails (Yosemite) ↗
- NPS — Yosemite Entrance Fees ↗
- USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) ↗
This is a researched visitor guide, not a claim that our editors have personally visited. Trail conditions, permits, and access can change.
