Nevada Fall
- Height
- 594 ft
- Hike
- 5.4 mi round trip
- Elevation gain
- 2000 ft
- Permit
- Required
- Dogs
- Not allowed
Nevada Fall flows year-round. Nevada Fall is a 594 ft waterfall on Merced River in Mariposa County, California. Reaching it is a 5.4 mi hike round trip with 2000 ft of elevation gain. See every spot on the Merced River.
Closures and warnings
Stay on the trail; do not swim or wade in the Merced or walk the river edge. Wet granite and loose rock cause frequent ankle and knee injuries. Carry a headlamp for a late return. As of July 27, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 594 ft |
|---|---|
| Flows | year-round |
| Flow note | Flows all year, peak late May or June. Fullest in spring and early summer. |
| Swimming allowed | No |
|---|---|
| Current | Strong |
Access
| Hike | 5.4 mi round trip |
|---|---|
| Elevation gain | 2000 ft |
| Parking | No parking at Happy Isles trailhead (shuttle stop #16). Closest lot is Curry Village, under 1 mi from the trailhead. |
| Fee | Private vehicle entrance $35 for 7 days (motorcycle $30; walk/bike $20 per person 16+). Cash not accepted. |
| Reservation or permit | Required |
| Seasonal closure | Upper John Muir Trail between Clark Point and the top of Nevada Fall closes in winter for ice. Lower Mist Trail along Vernal Fall also closes in winter. Use the marked winter route. |
| Managed by | National Park Service (Yosemite National Park) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Drinking water | Yes |
| Note | Vault toilets at top of Nevada Fall (Mist Trail). Drinking water only at Happy Isles stop and Vernal Fall footbridge (May to October). |
Rules
| Dogs | Not allowed |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
Is Nevada Fall open?
Stay on the trail; do not swim or wade in the Merced or walk the river edge. Wet granite and loose rock cause frequent ankle and knee injuries. Carry a headlamp for a late return. As of July 27, 2026. Seasonal closure: Upper John Muir Trail between Clark Point and the top of Nevada Fall closes in winter for ice. Lower Mist Trail along Vernal Fall also closes in winter. Use the marked winter route.
How tall is Nevada Fall?
Nevada Fall drops about 594 ft.
Can you swim at Nevada Fall?
No, swimming is not allowed at Nevada Fall. A strong current is reported here, use caution.
How long is the hike to Nevada Fall?
It's a 5.4 mi hike round trip with 2000 ft of elevation gain. Parking: No parking at Happy Isles trailhead (shuttle stop #16). Closest lot is Curry Village, under 1 mi from the trailhead.
Do you need a reservation for Nevada Fall?
Yes. A reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Nevada Fall?
The fee is Private vehicle entrance $35 for 7 days (motorcycle $30; walk/bike $20 per person 16+). Cash not accepted.
When is Nevada Fall flowing?
It flows year-round. Flows all year, peak late May or June. Fullest in spring and early summer.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Nevada Fall is inside Yosemite National Park .
Just outside: Yosemite Wilderness (0.1 mi) .
Sources
3
- https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/waterfalls.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager, waterfall.heightFt, waterfall.flowMonths, waterfall.ephemeral)
- https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/vernalnevadatrail.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs waterfall.flowNote, access.hikeDistanceMi, access.hikeDistanceBasis, access.elevationGainFt, access.parking, access.seasonalClosure, access.amenities, hazardNote, swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed, rules.dogs, waterbodyName)
- https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/fees.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.fee)
More: California waterfalls