Updated July 2026
Nevada Fall
A 594-foot waterfall on the Merced River where the water free-falls then bends down a slick granite slope; reached via the Mist Trail past Vernal Fall, often hiked as a loop with the John Muir Trail.
Before you go
Waterfalls are hazardous by nature — wet rock, cold water, and unstable edges — and flow varies enormously with season and recent rain. Trail figures here describe the route as documented, not conditions today. Check Yosemite National Park (NPS) for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Nevada Fall drops about 594 feet. That makes it the 19th-tallest documented waterfall in this inventory, taller than roughly 97% of the falls listed here. Height comes from published land-manager and survey records, not from our own measurement.
The Mist Trail / John Muir Trail to Nevada Fall reaches it about 5.4 miles (loop) with roughly 1,900 feet of elevation gain, rated strenuous. The nearest town is Yosemite Valley. That describes the route as documented, not conditions on the day — check with Yosemite National Park (NPS) for closures and current conditions.
Late spring (May-Jun). Waterfall flow swings enormously with snowmelt and recent rain, so a fall that roars in spring can be a trickle by late summer.
More California waterfalls
- Alamere Falls · 40 ft
- Bassi Falls · 109 ft
- Berry Creek Falls · 70 ft
- Big Falls · 500 ft
- Bridalveil Fall · 617 ft
- Burney Falls · 129 ft
- Carlon Falls · 35 ft
- Cascade Falls · 200 ft
Sources
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