Chilnualna Falls
- Height
- 2200 ft
- Hike
- 8.2 mi round trip
- Elevation gain
- 2400 ft
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Required
- Dogs
- Not allowed
Chilnualna Falls flows year-round. Chilnualna Falls is a 2200 ft waterfall on Chilnualna Creek in Mariposa County, California. Reaching it is a 8.2 mi hike round trip with 2400 ft of elevation gain.
The falls
| Height | 2200 ft |
|---|---|
| Flows | year-round |
| Flow note | About 2,200 ft of tiered cascades; NPS says you cannot see the entire fall at once. Five large cascades over granite. Peak flow around May. |
Access
| Hike | 8.2 mi round trip |
|---|---|
| Elevation gain | 2400 ft |
| Road | Paved |
| Parking | Chilnualna Falls Trailhead parking near the end of Chilnualna Falls Road in Wawona. Vault toilet at the lot. |
| Fee | Private vehicle entrance $35 for 7 days (motorcycle $30; walk/bike $20 per person 16+). Cash not accepted. |
| Reservation or permit | Required |
| Managed by | National Park Service (Yosemite National Park) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Note | Vault toilet and animal-safe food storage at the trailhead. |
Rules
| Dogs | Not allowed |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
How tall is Chilnualna Falls?
Chilnualna Falls drops about 2200 ft.
How long is the hike to Chilnualna Falls?
It's a 8.2 mi hike round trip with 2400 ft of elevation gain. The road in is paved. Parking: Chilnualna Falls Trailhead parking near the end of Chilnualna Falls Road in Wawona. Vault toilet at the lot.
Do you need a reservation for Chilnualna Falls?
Yes. A reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Chilnualna Falls?
The fee is Private vehicle entrance $35 for 7 days (motorcycle $30; walk/bike $20 per person 16+). Cash not accepted.
When is Chilnualna Falls flowing?
It flows year-round. About 2,200 ft of tiered cascades; NPS says you cannot see the entire fall at once. Five large cascades over granite. Peak flow around May.
What facilities are at Chilnualna Falls?
Restrooms. Vault toilet and animal-safe food storage at the trailhead.
What are the rules at Chilnualna Falls?
Dogs are not allowed.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Fishing nearby
Public land
Chilnualna Falls is inside Yosemite National Park and Yosemite Wilderness .
Sources
4
- https://www.nps.gov/places/000/chilnualna-falls-trailhead.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager, waterfall.flowNote, access.hikeDistanceMi, access.hikeDistanceBasis, access.elevationGainFt, access.parking, access.amenities, rules.dogs)
- https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/waterfalls.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs waterfall.heightFt, waterfall.flowMonths, waterfall.ephemeral)
- https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/fees.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.fee)
- https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wawonahikes.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs waterbodyName)
More: California waterfalls