Bridalveil Fall Hike
4,000 ft | California
0.5 mi round trip
80 ft
30 min
Easy
Bridalveil Fall Hike at a Glance
The Bridalveil Fall hike is 0.5 mi round trip with 80 ft of elevation gain, about 30 min of hiking.
| Summit elevation | 4,000 ft |
|---|---|
| Distance | 0.5 mi round trip |
| Elevation gain | 80 ft |
| Hiking time | About 30 min |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Trailhead parking | Bridalveil Fall parking lot, direct access from valley. Very popular |
| Parking fee | $35 park entrance |
| Route last checked | October 25, 2026 |
Your time: about 10 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 15 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 120 kcal.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →About Bridalveil Fall
Bridalveil Fall rises to 4,000 feet in California. The mapped route covers 0.5 miles round trip (out-and-back) with about 80 feet of elevation gain — a gradual walk with modest climbing.
Getting There
The trailhead is at 37.72031, -119.64886 (tap for driving directions). It's roughly 125 miles south of Reno, Nevada. Parking: Bridalveil Fall parking. Fee: $35 park entrance. Cell service is often unreliable once you leave the highway.
When to Go
Late May through October is the main season. Snow and ice linger into spring and return early in fall at this latitude and elevation; in winter this becomes a different, more serious undertaking requiring traction devices and warm layers.
Know Before You Go
The Easy rating comes from the National Park Service difficulty formula, which weighs total distance against elevation gain. Most hikers should budget about 0.5 hours of moving time; add margin for breaks, photos and the descent. Download the GPX track from this page before you go — a saved route works offline in any GPS app, and cell coverage is unreliable in the mountains. Conditions change: verify current access, closures and weather with the official land manager before you go. Trail data is sourced from National Park Service - Yosemite.
Nearby summits with their own guides on this site: Lower Yosemite Fall (3.4 mi away), Sentinel Dome & Taft Point (3.4 mi away) and Upper Yosemite Fall (3.9 mi away).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to hike Bridalveil Fall?
The mapped route is 0.5 miles round trip with about 80 feet of elevation gain, and most hikers take roughly 0.5 hours of moving time. Add time for breaks and conditions — winter or wet weather can double the trip.
How hard is the Bridalveil Fall hike?
It's rated Easy using the National Park Service difficulty formula (0.5 miles round trip, 80 ft of gain — about 150 ft of climbing per mile).
Where is the Bridalveil Fall trailhead?
The trailhead is at 37.72031, -119.64886 in California. Use the driving-directions link in the Getting There section above, and arrive early on weekends when the lot can fill.
Are dogs allowed on the Bridalveil Fall trail?
Rules vary by land manager — national parks often prohibit dogs on trails, while most national forests allow them on leash. Check with the managing agency for this trail before bringing your dog, and pack out waste.
When is the best time to hike Bridalveil Fall?
Late May through October for snow-free hiking. Check a summit point forecast before you go — conditions up high differ from the trailhead.
How tall is Bridalveil Fall?
Bridalveil Fall stands at 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) in California.
Where do you park to hike Bridalveil Fall?
Park at Bridalveil Fall parking lot, direct access from valley. Very popular. Parking: $35 park entrance. Check the land manager for current fees and closures.
Best Time to Visit
spring
March - May
Muddy trails, snow at higher elevations, stream crossings high
summer
June - August
Best hiking conditions, afternoon thunderstorms possible
fall
September - November
Peak foliage mid-September to mid-October, cooler temperatures
winter
December - February
Severe alpine conditions, high winds, extreme cold
Fall Gear Checklist
- Layers
- Headlamp
- Warm hat/gloves
- Rain gear
Tip: Parking lots fill early during foliage season. Arrive before 7am on weekends.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Rapidly changing weather
- Ice possible on summit
- Wet leaves on trails
Turn-Around Time
1:00 PM (2:00 PM summer)
Plan to reach the summit by this time to allow safe descent before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Summit Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Sources for The Bridalveil Fall Guide
Route last checked October 25, 2026.
- Verified against
- National Park Service - Yosemite
- Distance
- nps.gov
- Elevation
- Open-Meteo (Copernicus 30 m DEM)
- Route line
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), routed trailhead-to-summit
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Peaks
Explore other mountains near Bridalveil Fall. Great for peak-bagging or planning your next adventure.
Lower Yosemite Fall
3,975 ft
Sentinel Dome & Taft Point
8,122 ft
Upper Yosemite Fall
6,526 ft
Panorama Trail
7,214 ft
Peak Bagging Tip
Lower Yosemite Fall is only 3.4 miles away. Consider combining these peaks for a bigger day or overnight trip!