Nevada Fall

Nevada Fall is a breathtaking 594-foot waterfall where the Merced River plunges over a granite lip into a vast, mist-filled amphitheater. The fall gets its name from the Spanish word for snow-covered, a fitting description of the white curtain of water that thunders over the precipice during peak flow. From the viewing area at the top, the sheer scale of the drop is dizzying, and the force of the water creates a constant roar that echoes off the surrounding canyon walls.

The most popular route to Nevada Fall continues beyond Vernal Fall on the Mist Trail, a 7-mile round trip gaining 1,900 feet of elevation. Alternatively, the John Muir Trail provides a longer but less steep approach with spectacular views of both Vernal and Nevada Falls from across the canyon. Many hikers loop up one trail and down the other for the full experience. The final approach passes Liberty Cap, a massive granite dome, before arriving at the dramatic brink of the fall.

Spring and early summer deliver the most impressive flows, typically from April through June. The combination of Vernal and Nevada Falls on a single hike makes this one of the premier waterfall experiences in the entire national park system. Start early to secure parking at Happy Isles, and carry plenty of water as the exposed sections of the John Muir Trail can be brutally hot in summer.