Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall Trails
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The granite steps on the Mist Trail are slick with spray from late spring through early summer — wear shoes with real traction, not trail runners with worn-out soles. People slip here every year, and the consequences are serious.
Stay behind every railing and off every rock at the top of both waterfalls. The current above the falls is deceptively strong, and the polished granite along the river offers zero grip. Multiple fatalities have occurred from people wading into the water above the drops.
This trail is fully exposed above the tree line with no shade for long stretches. On summer afternoons, the granite radiates heat back at you. Carry at least two liters of water per person and consider a sun-protective layer.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Start before 8 AM to snag parking at the Curry Village / Happy Isles lot — by mid-morning you'll be circling for 30 minutes. Alternatively, take the free Valley shuttle to stop 16 and skip the parking headache entirely.
Go up the Mist Trail and down the John Muir Trail to make it a loop. You get the full spray experience on the ascent when you want to cool off, and the gentler switchbacks save your knees on the descent.
The footbridge just below Vernal Fall is the money shot for photographers — morning light hits the falls head-on, and if you're there in May or June, you'll catch a rainbow in the mist around 9-10 AM.
Photos
NPS
