Nevada Fall is a 594-foot waterfall on the Merced River in Yosemite National Park, California, pouring off the west end of Little Yosemite Valley beneath the granite dome of Liberty Cap. Together with Vernal Fall just below it, it forms the "giant staircase" of the Merced, and the Mist Trail that climbs beside both is one of the most famous hikes in the park.
The falls
The whole Merced River goes over the lip, free-falling for a third to half of the drop before striking a steep apron of rock and fanning out into a white veil up to 200 feet wide. The characteristic twist that results gave the fall its Native name. François Matthes measured 594 feet around 1913, and lidar has since confirmed that figure. The fall runs all year; at peak the river carries about 585 cubic feet of water per second, dropping to about 35 cfs by autumn.
Getting there
All routes start at Happy Isles, shuttle stop 16 in the east end of Yosemite Valley. The Mist Trail climbs past Vernal Fall on granite steps and reaches the top of Nevada Fall in 5.4 miles round trip with about 2,000 feet of gain, a strenuous five to six hours; the John Muir Trail is a longer, gentler alternative of about 4 miles each way. In 2026, trail work limited the Mist Trail above the Vernal Fall footbridge to weekends and holidays through October, leaving the John Muir Trail as the main route. In winter, sections of both trails close for ice. Water is available at Happy Isles and the footbridge from May to October; carry 3 to 4 quarts.
Yosemite admission is $35 per vehicle for seven days, plus $100 per person for non-US residents aged 16 and older unless they hold an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass. No timed-entry reservation is required in 2026.
When to go
April through July brings the most water and the heaviest spray; by September and October the fall shrinks to a thinner veil but rarely runs dry.
On site
The river above the brink looks calm but moves fast, and swimming there is prohibited. People have been swept over the fall: a swimmer in 2013, and in June 2026 a 22-year-old hiker after a swift-water incident just above the brink. In 2018 a teenager fell from near the top while posing for a photo. Stay behind the railings and out of the water. Dogs are not allowed on the trail.
History and name
The Native name, Yo-wy-we, refers to the twist of the falling water. Lafayette Bunnell of the Mariposa Battalion named it Nevada, Spanish for "snowy," because its white spray reminded him of an avalanche.
Nearby
Silver Apron is about 0.4 mile away and Vernal Fall about 0.6 mile, both on the same trail. Illilouette Fall is about 1.7 miles away.
Distances are straight-line.