Vernal and Nevada Falls Hike: Is It Worth Going to Both?
I knew the Vernal and Nevada Falls hike would be one of the harder days of my Yosemite trip, but I didn’t expect it to become one of my favorites.
Between the powerful waterfalls, relentless climbing, and incredible views of Half Dome and Liberty Cap, this hike delivered from beginning to end. In this guide, I’ll share my experience on the trail, what to expect along the route, and a few things I wish I knew before starting.
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Vernal Fall overlook below Clark Point
Vernal and Nevada Falls Hike Overview
These are the typical trail stats for hiking the Mist Trail up past Vernal and Nevada Falls and returning on the John Muir Trail. You can view the Vernal and Nevada Falls route on AllTrails.
- Distance: 6.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,070 feet
- Difficulty: Hard
- Trailhead: Happy Isles (Mist Trail)
My hike was longer: I logged 8.3 miles and 2,800 feet of elevation gain because the Mist Trail below Vernal Fall was closed, so we detoured up the John Muir Trail to Clark Point.
➡️ Discover more hikes in Yosemite with my first-hand guide.
Getting to the Vernal and Nevada Falls Trailhead
Happy Isles, where the Mist Trail begins, has no parking lot. You’ll need to take the free Yosemite Valley shuttle or walk to the trailhead. Check the National Park Service website for the most up-to-date shuttle information.
I stayed at Upper Pines Campground, which made getting to the trailhead especially easy. It’s less than a mile away and a flat walk, so I could head straight there without waiting for a shuttle.
I intentionally booked Upper Pines for both the night before and the night after my hike. That way, I could take my time hiking Vernal and Nevada Falls without worrying about moving my vehicle or checking out of my campsite that morning.
Honestly, I wasn’t impressed by the views at the Vernal Fall Footbridge when compared to the rest of this trail.
My Vernal and Nevada Falls Hike
Happy Isles to the Vernal Fall Footbridge
The Mist Trail is paved from Happy Isles to the Vernal Fall Footbridge. Boy-oh-boy was this section busy. We passed tons of families with young kids in addition to the usual hiking crowd.
Don’t let the pavement fool you, though. Sections are surprisingly steep. And I mean real calf-burner steep. Plenty of people were stopping along the way to catch their breath. I pushed through because I wanted to reach the footbridge quickly and continue toward Vernal Fall.
To be honest, I wasn’t impressed by the view from the footbridge. Vernal Fall still felt pretty far away, and trees blocked part of the view. If I were only hiking this section, I personally wouldn’t make the steep climb just to turn around here.
If you’re looking for an easy Yosemite waterfall walk rather than continuing up the Mist Trail, I thought Bridalveil Fall was much more impressive for the effort.
Vernal Fall Footbridge to Clark Point
Not long after the footbridge, we encountered a change of plans. The Mist Trail was closed for trail maintenance until 3:30 that afternoon, so we were redirected onto the John Muir Trail.
That meant extra mileage and elevation gain, and a long climb up the JMT. By this point, the crowds had thinned considerably. Many people turned around at the closure rather than adding the detour to their hike.
The switchbacks felt endless. This is where the hike really started to feel difficult for me. When we finally reached Clark Point and I caught my first good view of Nevada Fall, it was exactly the motivation I needed.
We stopped for a quick snack before descending from Clark Point toward the top of Vernal Fall, where we could reconnect with the Mist Trail and continue toward Nevada Fall.
Top of Vernal Fall with the Mist Trail below
Emerald Pool with Nevada Fall in the background
Clark Point to the Top of Vernal Fall
From Clark Point, even more hikers chose to continue up the John Muir Trail rather than descend toward Vernal Fall. I understood why. After working so hard to gain elevation, going downhill just to climb again later can feel pretty disheartening.
But at least something good came out of the descent. I noticed a binocular icon marking a viewpoint on AllTrails, so we stopped to check it out. It ended up being my favorite view of Vernal Fall on the entire hike.
From here, we had a clear view of the waterfall cascading into the valley below. If the Mist Trail had been open that morning, we would have missed this viewpoint completely.
Emerald Pool and the Top of Vernal Fall
Standing at the top of Vernal Fall and looking down at the Mist Trail was really cool. We could see the trail crew working hard below, which put our earlier detour into perspective.
We also stopped at Emerald Pool, where we caught another glimpse of Nevada Fall in the distance with the calm pool in the foreground. It was a completely different perspective from the waterfall views we’d seen so far.
From here, we continued climbing toward Nevada Fall on the Mist Trail.
Vernal Fall to Nevada Fall
Between Vernal and Nevada Fall, the crowds virtually disappeared. We only passed a few groups the entire way. I think most hikers stuck to the JMT that day rather than detouring back to the Mist Trail because of the closure.
The climb to Nevada Fall was tough. Tight stone stairs and switchbacks took us steadily uphill, and by this point in the day, it was starting to get warm.
But the views made the climb worth it. Seeing Nevada Fall from the side and realizing just how much water was rushing over the edge was incredibly powerful.
Side view of Nevada Fall from the Mist Trail
Looking down Nevada Fall
The Top of Nevada Fall
Finally! We reached the top of Nevada Fall. While looking for a shady place to rest, we found a short set of stairs leading down to an overlook. Most hikers gathered around the bridge, but this spot was surprisingly quiet.
I walked to the railing and looked straight down over the edge of Nevada Fall. The drop was dizzying. Mist rising from the waterfall created little rainbows below us, while the view stretched out across Yosemite Valley in the other direction.
After all that climbing, sitting in the shade with a snack and this view felt pretty darn good. This was easily one of my favorite stops of the entire hike.
Returning on the John Muir Trail
Walking across the bridge and reconnecting with the John Muir Trail felt rewarding. Even better, we finally found some afternoon shade on this side of the valley.
I thought the incredible views were behind us, but I was wrong. As we followed a narrow section of trail carved into the towering granite wall, I looked back and found what was probably my favorite perspective of the entire hike.
Cloud shadows danced across Liberty Cap and the back of Half Dome. I could see the full drop of Nevada Fall cascading below. I couldn’t tear my eyes away. Every few steps, I found myself turning around for one more look.
Eventually, we reached Clark Point and descended the switchbacks we had labored up earlier. All in all, what a hike. It was well worth the effort.
➡️ If you can’t get enough of Half Dome views, I also loved the North Dome hike. It’s a completely different Yosemite hike with an incredible face-on perspective of Half Dome.
Nevada Fall from the JMT
Should You Hike to Both Vernal and Nevada Falls?
When the Mist Trail is open, you can shorten the hike by turning around after Vernal Fall. But if you have the time and energy to continue to Nevada Fall, I’d recommend it.
The extra elevation gain and mileage were substantial, but the scenery exceeded my expectations. The trail also became significantly quieter beyond Vernal Fall during my hike. Some of my favorite moments, including the view from the top of Nevada Fall and the incredible perspective looking back from the John Muir Trail, would have been missed if I had turned around early.
If Vernal Fall is already pushing your limits, though, there’s nothing wrong with making that your turnaround point. The climb to Nevada Fall adds considerable effort.
What to Know Before Hiking Vernal and Nevada Falls
I recommend starting early, especially in summer. The trail to the Vernal Fall Footbridge was extremely busy during my hike, and the day became noticeably warmer as we climbed. Starting earlier can help with crowds and heat.
Bring plenty of water, snacks, sun protection, and shoes with good traction. I also appreciated having electrolytes as temperatures climbed. Check out my day hike packing list for everything I recommend carrying on a hike like this.
It’s also worth checking current trail conditions before you go. During my hike, a trail crew was working on the Mist Trail below Vernal Fall and temporarily rerouted us onto the John Muir Trail. It wasn’t a big deal, but it did add mileage and elevation gain to our route.
➡️ Plan your trip with my guide on things to do in Yosemite. Includes more than just hiking!
Can you see Vernal and Nevada Falls off to the right of Half Dome?
See Vernal and Nevada Falls From Glacier Point
One of my favorite things I did after this hike actually happened a couple of days later. I visited Glacier Point, where you can see Vernal and Nevada Falls tucked into the landscape below.
I recommend visiting Glacier Point after you’ve completed the hike rather than before. I could trace parts of the route I had just hiked and had a much better appreciation for the scale of the waterfalls and surrounding granite. It was incredibly cool to see the terrain from above after spending hours hiking through it.
➡️ Planning more Yosemite hikes? For something completely different, hike Cathedral Lakes for high-country scenery in Tuolumne Meadows or walk the Mariposa Grove Grizzly Giant Loop to see Yosemite’s giant sequoias.
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Vernal and Nevada Falls Hike FAQs
How long does it take to hike Vernal and Nevada Falls?
Plan for roughly 5–7 hours to hike to Vernal and Nevada Falls and return via the John Muir Trail. Your time will depend on your pace, how long you spend at the waterfalls and viewpoints, and trail conditions.
Can beginners hike Vernal and Nevada Falls?
The full hike is challenging, with more than 2,000 feet of elevation gain, steep stairs, and sustained climbing. Fit beginners may be able to complete it with enough time and preparation, but Vernal Fall makes a good turnaround point if the full route feels like too much.
Can you hike Vernal Fall without hiking to Nevada Fall?
Yes. You can hike to Vernal Fall and turn around without continuing to Nevada Fall. This significantly shortens the hike while still letting you experience one of Yosemite’s most impressive waterfalls up close.
When is the best time to hike Vernal and Nevada Falls?
Spring and early summer generally offer the most powerful waterfall flows, while later in summer the waterfalls typically have less water. If you hike during warmer months, I recommend starting early to avoid crowds and get more climbing done before the day heats up.
Is it better to hike the Mist Trail or John Muir Trail?
For the full Vernal and Nevada Falls hike, I recommend taking the Mist Trail toward the waterfalls and returning on the John Muir Trail. The Mist Trail gets you closer to the waterfalls, while the JMT offers completely different views on the way down. I especially loved looking back toward Nevada Fall, Liberty Cap, and Half Dome from the JMT.
