A 317-foot drop on the Merced River in Yosemite Valley, reached by footbridge or the steep, misty Mist Trail.
Vernal Fall drops about 317 feet on the Merced River in Yosemite Valley, one of the park's signature cascades. Most visitors see it first from the Vernal Fall Footbridge, a 1.6-mile round trip from the Happy Isles trailhead with roughly 400 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate by the National Park Service. Reaching the top of the fall adds real exposure to spray and elevation: the route climbs a granite staircase of more than 600 steps on the Mist Trail.
The National Park Service rates the 2.4-mile round trip to the top of Vernal Fall via the Mist Trail as strenuous, with about 1,000 feet of elevation gain and roughly three hours of typical travel time; the John Muir Trail offers a longer, less slippery alternate route up. At our review, NPS had the upper Mist Trail segment, from the John Muir Trail junction to the fall's summit, open only Fridays through Sundays and holidays, with narrow overnight access on other days, through October. Confirm current access and any lower Mist Trail winter ice closures on the official park page before planning a visit, and expect a Yosemite entrance fee at the gate.
As of the official NPS trail page (checked 2026-10-11), the Mist Trail segment from the John Muir Trail junction to the top of Vernal Fall is open Fridays through Sundays and holidays only, with very limited overnight weekday access, through October. Check the official page before planning a weekday hike to the top. Check the current notice ↗
Know before you go
Happy Isles trailhead in Yosemite Valley (shuttle stop #16).
Year-round; lower Mist Trail can close in winter for falling ice and rock. Check current seasonal trail access.
Vernal Fall Footbridge: 1.6-mile round trip, ~400 ft gain, moderate. Top of Vernal Fall via Mist Trail: 2.4-mile round trip, ~1,000 ft gain, strenuous.
Yosemite National Park entrance fee applies; check current rates on the official site.
Not wheelchair accessible beyond the paved valley floor; verify current conditions with NPS.
2026-10-11. Conditions and requirements can change; confirm with the land manager before travelling.
Sources & further reading
This is a researched visitor guide, not a claim that our editors have personally visited. Trail conditions, permits, and access can change.
