History & travel
The Yosemite
John Muir · 2003
Muir's own account of the valley, including his famous descriptions of Yosemite Fall and the Merced's Nevada and Vernal falls.
United States · Sierra Nevada, California
Nevada Fall
The Merced River explodes off a granite step above Vernal Fall, reached via the strenuous Mist Trail that climbs alongside both falls in a single soaking, iconic Yosemite day hike. Its turbulent, twisting drop contrasts with Vernal's clean vertical sheet just downstream.
UNESCO World HeritageUpper anchor of Yosemite's famous Mist Trail Essentials guide
Checked September 2026 by David Bussell
Nevada Fall drops 181 metres (594 ft) on the Merced, inside Yosemite National Park. It is a plunge-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Yosemite Valley, with FAT the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated hard.
As a plunge waterfall, water leaves the rock entirely and falls free through the air.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at Nevada Fall itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Yosemite Valley are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Late spring snowmelt gives the fullest, whitest flow on the Mist Trail.
Entry: Park entry $35 USD per vehicle
Getting there
- Base town Yosemite Valley
- Airport FAT
- Country United States
- Region Sierra Nevada, California, United States, North America
- Access Hard — a serious approach: distance, altitude, a boat, or a guide
How it compares
This waterfall
Nevada Fall
United States
Height181 mWidth—
Most similar
Crypt Falls
Canada
Height175 mWidth—
Also a plunge waterfall, of similar height and in Canada
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
108 m
175 m
181 m
330 m
979 m
Victoria FallsCrypt FallsNevada FallEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 5.4× taller than Nevada Fall. It drops 1.7× further than Victoria Falls (108 m). We don't have a reliable crest width for Nevada Fall yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Videos from Nevada Fall
13:15
19:22
Chosen from YouTube; videos belong to their creators and play from YouTube's privacy-enhanced player.
Books worth packing
Walking guide
Hiking Waterfalls Yosemite National Park
Suzanne Swedo · 2019
Trail-by-trail guide devoted entirely to Yosemite's waterfalls, with maps, distances and best seasons for each fall.
Moon Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon: Hiking…Ann Marie Brown
Guidebook
Moon Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon: Hiking, Camping, Waterfalls & Big Trees
Ann Marie Brown · 2024
Current park guide with trail descriptions for the Mist Trail, Upper Yosemite Fall and Bridalveil, plus lodging and permits.
Lonely Planet Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon…Lonely Planet
Guidebook
Lonely Planet Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Lonely Planet · 2024
Latest Lonely Planet park guide covering Yosemite Valley's waterfall hikes, shuttles, camping and when the falls run highest.
On the map
37.7249, -119.5334
Quick answers
Where is Nevada Fall?
Nevada Fall is in United States (Sierra Nevada, California), inside Yosemite National Park. The nearest base is Yosemite Valley and the closest airport is FAT. Its coordinates are 37.7249, -119.5334.
How tall is Nevada Fall?
Nevada Fall drops 181 metres (594 feet). It is a plunge-type waterfall on the Merced.
When is the best time to visit Nevada Fall?
Peak flow is May to July. Late spring snowmelt gives the fullest, whitest flow on the Mist Trail.
What can you do at Nevada Fall?
Beyond the viewpoints: hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated hard — a serious approach: distance, altitude, a boat, or a guide.
Is Nevada Fall a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes. Nevada Fall lies within a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Yosemite National Park. Expect park fees, marked trails and rules on where you can walk, swim and fly drones.
How do you get to Nevada Fall?
The usual base is Yosemite Valley, and the closest airport is FAT. A serious approach: distance, altitude, a boat, or a guide from there. Park entry $35 USD per vehicle.
Nearby
Closest to Nevada Fall
UNESCO Vernal Fall
United States · 97 m · 2 km away
One of Yosemite's most-hiked destinations
Swimming
Snow Creek Falls
United States · 5 km away
Snow Creek Falls is a long series of cascades located in Yosemite National Park toward the eastern extent of…
Full guide Yosemite Falls
United States · 739 m · 7 km away
Tallest waterfall in Yosemite, and among the tallest in North America
UNESCO Bridalveil Fall
United States · 189 m · 10 km away
Yosemite's most reliably year-round waterfall