Lower Yosemite Fall Hike
3,975 ft | California
1 mi loop
50 ft
30 min
Easy
Lower Yosemite Fall Hike at a Glance
The Lower Yosemite Fall hike via the Lower Yosemite Fall Loop is 1 mi loop with 50 ft of elevation gain, about 30 min of hiking.
| Summit elevation | 3,975 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | Lower Yosemite Fall Loop |
| Distance | 1 mi loop |
| Elevation gain | 50 ft |
| Hiking time | About 30 min |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Route last checked | October 25, 2026 |
Your time: about 20 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 25 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 200 kcal.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 1 mi distance and 50 ft of gain for this hike are verified (nps.gov), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Lower Yosemite Fall
Lower Yosemite Fall rises to 3,975 feet in California. The Lower Yosemite Fall Loop covers 1.0 miles (loop) with about 50 feet of elevation gain — a gradual walk with modest climbing.
The Route
Along the way the route passes a viewpoint (Falls View) near mile 0, a rest area (Galen Clark Memorial Bench) near mile 0, a viewpoint (Lower Yosemite Fall View) near mile 0 — useful checkpoints for judging your pace.
Getting There
It's roughly 125 miles south of Reno, Nevada. Parking: Yosemite Falls parking. Fee: $35 park entrance. Cell service is often unreliable once you leave the highway.
When to Go
Spring through fall is the main season. Conditions change fast in the shoulder months — check a point forecast for the summit, not the nearest town, before you commit.
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: Upper Yosemite Fall (0.8 mi away), Panorama Trail (1.6 mi away) and Sentinel Dome & Taft Point (1.9 mi away).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to hike Lower Yosemite Fall?
The Lower Yosemite Fall Loop is 1.0 miles as a loop with about 50 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 Lower Yosemite Fall hike?
It's rated Easy using the National Park Service difficulty formula (1.0 miles as a loop, 50 ft of gain — about 50 ft of climbing per mile).
Are dogs allowed on the Lower Yosemite 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 Lower Yosemite 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 Lower Yosemite Fall?
Lower Yosemite Fall stands at 3,975 feet (1,212 meters) in California.
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
Snow-covered trails, shorter days
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
- Normal hiking conditions
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
3:00 PM
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.
Downloads
Sources for The Lower Yosemite Fall Guide
Route last checked October 25, 2026.
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Peaks
Explore other mountains near Lower Yosemite Fall. Great for peak-bagging or planning your next adventure.
Upper Yosemite Fall
6,526 ft
Panorama Trail
7,214 ft
Sentinel Dome & Taft Point
8,122 ft
Mirror Lake
4,100 ft
Peak Bagging Tip
Upper Yosemite Fall is only 0.8 miles away. Consider combining these peaks for a bigger day or overnight trip!