Bridalveil Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
| Address: | Bridalveil Fall, California 95389, USA |
| GPS: |
37°43'0.0"N 119°38'47.0"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | California |
| Trail Length: | 0.50 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| Hike Difficulty: | Easiest |
| Elevation Gain: | 80 feet |
| Trails/Routes: | 0.2 mi |
Restrooms Waterfalls Trails Rocks Pet Friendly National Park
Hike
Known for being the focal point for one of Ansel Adams' most famous photographs, Bridalveil Falls is one of the first waterfalls you see as you enter Yosemite. The path to get there is a quick, easy half mile hike, making it a great introduction to the park. It gets its name from the mist that rises up from the falls and usually soaks onlookers -- it resembles a bride's veil. Although it's not as tall as Yosemite Falls (no North American waterfall is), it still towers over the valley at 620 feet tall.
The trail is pretty simple. You can park outside the trailhead to a paved path that will take you to the viewing point, but it goes straight through a range of trees. It's easy to navigate once you're there, but difficult to make out on a map.
Although it is one of the few that flows year round, the water from the falls is at its peak in the spring and summer, where it's likely you will get wet from the viewing point, and in the winter, the path can get pretty icy and slippery. The trail is completely paved, so it is wheelchair accessible and pets are permitted as long as they're on a leash.
More Information
Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
- Head southwest on Northside Dr toward Cook's Meadow LoopToll road(2.9 mi)
- Keep right to stay on Northside DrToll road(2.1 mi)
- Turn left onto Southside DrToll road(0.9 mi)
- Slight right onto CA-41 S/Wawona RdContinue to follow Wawona RdToll road(374 ft)
- Turn leftToll road(128 ft)
- Turn leftToll road(289 ft)
The parking lot is just outside the trailhead.
Trails
Distance ?
1,010 feetElevation Gain ?
118 feetReal Ascent ?
118 feetReal Descent ?
0 feetAvg Grade (7°)
12%Grade (1° to 18°)
2% to 32%Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.
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