Hiking the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail in Yosemite National Park
Distance: 1.2 miles / 1.9 km
The Lower Yosemite Falls Trail in Yosemite National Park is a beautiful, paved loop trail in the heart of Yosemite Village that leads to one of the park’s most iconic waterfalls!
That said, Lower Yosemite Falls is one of the easiest, family-friendly day hikes in Yosemite National Park because it’s so centrally located, with very little—if any—elevation change throughout the full 1.2-mile (1.9 km) loop.
It’s for all these reasons that Lower Yosemite Falls is the single most popular day hike in Yosemite—comparable to only a few others, like the Mist Trail and Half Dome—which is why I highly recommend hiking the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail first thing in the morning to enjoy the best of this beautiful loop without the crowds.
What Time of Year is Yosemite Falls Dry?
Yosemite Falls does not flow year-round.
In fact, it—along with other waterfalls in Yosemite Valley—is dependent on snowmelt, with November - July being the best months to visit and August - October being the driest times of the year.
Lower Yosemite Falls Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Lower Yosemite Falls Trailhead is located in various spots in and around Yosemite Village, with the closest ones near Yosemite Valley Lodge.
That being said, Yosemite Village is one of the most challenging places in Yosemite National Park to find parking—unless you arrive first thing in the morning, which I highly recommend for most adventures in and around Yosemite Valley.
Google Maps Directions: Lower Yosemite Falls Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Yosemite
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Yosemite National Park.
That said, bear spray is purposefully excluded from this list because, while the Sierra Nevadas are home to a large Black Bear population, bear spray is not allowed in Yosemite National Park.
Hiking the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail
Hiking to Lower Yosemite Falls can begin from any number of directions around Yosemite Village, but this route is shown from the official trailhead at the beginning of the Lower Yosemite Falls Loop, just to the west of the shuttle stop.
It is here that the loop splits, with most hikers continuing straight directly toward Lower Yosemite Falls.
Google Maps Directions: Lower Yosemite Falls Trailhead
This is where the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail meets the path that begins at the closest parking area near Yosemite Valley Lodge.
Here, go right to continue hiking toward Lower Yosemite Falls, which will become visible after turning right.
West Lower Yosemite Falls-Yosemite Valley Loop Junction
Shortly after the two trails come together, the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail will split, with a path to the left for the Yosemite Valley Loop Trail—a 20.6-mile (33.2 km) loop that circles the entire valley floor, passing by some of the best and most iconic landmarks, like Lower Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, Half Dome, and Mirror Lake.
That said, the Valley Loop Trail is an adventure that I could not recommend more if you have the time, as it is, without a doubt, the best way to see Yosemite Valley and escape the crowds along a number of untrafficked sections between the major shuttle stops.
To learn more, I highly recommend checking out my separate post about the full Yosemite Valley Loop Trail, linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Yosemite Valley Loop Trail (Coming Soon)
At this split, it doesn’t matter which direction you decide to walk as both sides meet again shortly ahead.
This is where both sides of the split meet again to continue to Lower Yosemite Falls.
Lower Yosemite Falls
At the very back of the loop, the trail reaches the base of Lower Yosemite Falls, a 320-ft. (98 m) waterfall that is just one of three different drops that make up all of Yosemite Falls.
I think it’s important to mention that this viewpoint is one of the busiest areas in all of Yosemite National Park, which, again, is why I highly recommend hiking the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail first thing in the morning!
After the waterfall, the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail/ Valley Loop Trail continues on the other side of the stream, where it loops back around to the beginning.
After Lower Yosemite Falls, the trail becomes significantly less busy, as most hikers simply turn back instead of completing the full 1.2-mile (1.9 km) loop.
East Lower Yosemite Falls-Yosemite Valley Loop Junction
This is where the Valley Loop Trail splits away from the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail, which continues toward The Ahwahnee, about 1.1 miles (1.8 km) to the east of this split.
That said, go right at this junction to return to the beginning of the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail.
Read My Separate Post: Yosemite Valley Loop Trail (Coming Soon)
Lower Yosemite Falls-Falls Viewpoint Junction
With about 0.3 miles (0.5 km) left in the Lower Yosemite Falls Loop, the trail splits once again, with a short out-and-back path that leads to a downstream viewpoint of Yosemite Falls.
This side trail only adds 0.1 miles (0.2 km) to the overall hike.
Falls Viewpoint
The end of the short side trail is this viewpoint, where hikers can see both Upper Yosemite and Lower Yosemite Falls from a distance.
Lower Yosemite Falls-Falls Viewpoint Junction
Once back at the main loop, go right to return to Yosemite Village.
Lower Yosemite Falls-Yosemite Village Junction
As the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail comes to an end, the loop will pass by two different junctions before the trailhead—this first leading out to the road and the path through Yosemite Village.
That said, go straight at this split to continue back to the beginning of the loop.
Lower Yosemite Falls-Yosemite Falls Shuttle Junction
This second split is the path that leads directly out to the Lower Yosemite Falls Shuttle Stop, just to the left.
However, go right once again to return to the trailhead shortly ahead.
Lower Yosemite Falls Trailhead
This is where the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail loops back around to the beginning.
*Coming Soon!*
