Located in Yosemite National Park Bridalveil Fall is one of the most popular sites within the park. This 620 feet (189 meters) waterfall can be seen from Tunnel View and has a great walking trail to the base of it.
It was named Bridalveil because when the wind gusts it can fan out the waterfalls lower portion giving it the look of a white, lacy veil.
The Ahwahneechee called this falls the Pohono which meant Spirit of the Puffing Wind.
Whether you are spending one day in Yosemite or a few days this is a site you do not want to miss.
Here are my top finds for Yosemite National Park:
🏨Hotels: Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge (In the park), The Pines Resort
📍Tours: Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad, Yosemite Highlights Small Group Tour
🐻 Save time! Buy your National Park Pass before your trip
Bridalveil Fall - Yosemite National Park
The falls are truly epic from April to June when melting snow creates epic runoff. If you are visiting during this time you will want to be prepared to get WET!
We walked out to the falls in April and even from a safe distance for the base of the falls we were soaked from the mist. It was honestly amazing to see how much water was crashing down from the falls.
Make sure to wear shoes that have good traction and clothes you don't mind getting wet. We brought this camera cover and wished we would have also brought something to cover the lens in between photos. We ended up walking closer with our phones and keeping the camera covered it was so wet.
One of the best things about this waterfall is it flows year-round! Even in the fall and winter, there is normally some water flowing over the top.
Keep an eye out for rainbows at the base of the falls during the afternoon. The sun hits perfectly to create rainbows in the mist of the waterfall which can make epic photos.
I do have to mention that Bridalveil Fall is one of the most popular spots in the park! You can expect to see multiple large tour buses pulled over on the southside drive along the side of the road and hundreds of people trying to get the best Instagram photo in the world.
While Yosemite Falls get a ton of focus you honestly do not want to miss Bridalveil Fall! It is worth dealing with a little crazy in the parking area to check out this epic spot.
Best views of Bridalveil Fall in Yosemite
BridalVeil Fall Parking Lot
I love taking pictures of the falls from the parking lot especially when the trees have a ton of green and frame the falls. Plus you don't have to get wet and can easily move around for different photos. KEEP AN EYE OUT for cars though!
Always remember that people are staring in awe at a 620-foot waterfall and may forget to look down and actually pay attention to the parking lot.
Tunnel View
The view of Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View is honestly just plain epic! You can see not only Bridalveil Falls but also El Capitan, Half Dome, and the entire valley!
Across the Merced River
There is a great pull-off that gives you the perfect shot of Bridalveil Fall with the Merced River in the foreground.
Bridalveil Fall Trail/Walking Path
Length: ½ mile, round-trip
Elevation Gain: Approximately 80 ft (24 m)
Trail surface: Paved from the parking lot, be prepared for it to be wet especially during the spring and icy in the winter.
ADA/Wheelchair Accessibility: The trail is accessible but there is a steep portion towards the end if you want to reach the base of Bridalveil Fall.
The trail splits into two different viewing platforms. You can walk up to the base of the falls or go to a lower viewing point that crosses Bridalveil Creek to give you a different perspective of the falls.
Bridalveil Fall Rehabilitation Project
The National Park Service is working to update the area surrounding Bridalveil Fall. You can expect to see construction during your visit right now.
The updates will include new flush toilet bathrooms (YEAH), more accessible trails, and updating the parking lot with more spaces.
Bridalveil Fall loop trail is being reconstructed and redesigned to link the parking lot, historic carriage road, and vista point so visitors can enjoy the falls without any distractions.
BridalVeil Falls Travel Tips
Parking: There is a fairly good size parking lot near the trailhead. It is a one-way circle so plan to spend some time in line as people wait for parking spaces to open up. We have always been able to get a parking space it just might take a few minutes.
Bathrooms: There is a bathroom near the trailhead with four separate bathroom stalls. I will say that for some reason this bathroom has been quite smelly at different times. I would suggest using the bathroom before walking to the falls. The sound of the water in the creek can make a slight urge to use the bathroom feel urgent by the time you get back and have to wait in line.
Water: There is currently no water available at the trailhead. You will want to bring water with you. Even though the trail is short it can get hot and super busy. It is better to be prepared and have water with you.
-If you are visiting in the spring make sure you have shoes that can get wet.
-Wear layers that can get wet
The falls is also known as
- Pohono
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Bridalveil Waterfall
Bridalveil Fall Photography
Best Months for photos - Late March to June for rushing water
During spring a rainbow can stretch across the falls late in the afternoon. It becomes visible at the base of the falls and then moves up as the sun sinks.
You will need a wide-angle lens to fit the entire waterfall into one photo
If you are visiting in the Spring you will want to bring a camera cover and lens wipes. You can get soaked from the spray!
Take photos from the parking lot as you pull in. They look amazing!
Camera Gear we use
We are big fans of using great camera gear to get amazing photos while traveling.
Canon R5 - We recently upgraded to the R5 after using a Mark 5 for years. We are loving the camera shutter speed and quality of images.
Canon 100 - 500mm - We use the Canon 100-500 for wildlife photography.
Camera Rain Cover - A rain cover will help protect your camera during rain showers but also when photographing waterfalls.
Camera Cleaning Kit - Cameras can get dirty, beat up, and dusty while in the parks. We like having a cleaning kit with us so we can do on the spot touch ups.
Extra Camera Batteries - We suggest always having one or two extra camera batteries with you. There is nothing worse than going to take a shot and the battery dies.
Extra Memory Cards - We use Extreme PRO SanDisk cards
Safety
I would not be a very good park ranger if I did not take a few minutes to talk about safety!
Please be careful on the wet trail and near the base of the falls. The trail can be very slippery and it is easy to slip without meaning to.
Please DO NOT climb on the rocks that are in the river. I know that they look like they should provide an epic view of the falls but they are also slippery, potentially covered in moss and other slippery substances and people fall from them often.
The last thing you want on your Yosemite vacation is to have to rescued and taken to the medical clinic or medivac helicoptered out of the park.
There are a ton of great viewpoints of the falls without having to climb on the rocks or get off the main trail. Your safety is more important than tempting wet slippery rocks.
I will take my flat hat off now and wish you an amazing trip to Yosemite National Park! It is an epic national park and truly one of my favorite places in the world.
Directions/How to get to Bridalveil Fall
Drive 1.5 miles east into Yosemite Valley on Highway 41 from Tunnel View overlook.
From Yosemite Valley, take Highway 140 to the intersection with Highway 41. Turn right and make an immediate left into the parking area for Bridalveil Fall.
Best Yosemite National Park Tours & Activities
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 1-3.5 Hours | 🚂 Check Rates and Availability
Step back in time on this historic narrow-gauge railroad where powerful locomotives once hauled massive log trains through the Sierra National Forest, just 10 minutes from Yosemite's south entrance. The conductor-narrated rides (1 to 3.5 hours) take you through majestic woods while sharing the area's logging history, with options ranging from the classic steam train to special themed trips like the Moonlight Special and Yosemite Jazz Train. Perfect for families and multi-generational groups, the experience includes gold panning, a logging museum, and the Kids' Depot Toy Store, all wheelchair accessible with leashed dogs welcome on board.
Yosemite Highlights Small Group Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars (803+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 9 hours | 🚐
Check Rates and Availability
This is the tour for first-time visitors who want to see everything without the stress of figuring it out on their own. Operated by Discover Yosemite, a TripAdvisor Travelers Choice award winner for two years running, this small-group tour covers the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias, Glacier Point, Yosemite Valley, and all the major viewpoints in one very full day. Lunch is included along with snacks and water.
Semi-Private Yosemite Tour with Ahwahnee Lunch and Hotel Pickup/Dropoff
⭐️ Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 hours | 🚌Check Rates and Availability
This is an 8-hour tour that begins with a pick-up at your hotel or the meeting point.
The tour includes stops at Glacier Point(April-November), depending upon the weather, and several stops in the Yosemite Valley. The valley stops include Tunnel View, Bridalveil Falls, Sentinel Bridge, Chapel, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and more!
Check out more great tours of Yosemite. Tours include hiking, snowshoeing, roundtrip tours from San Francisco, and more!
Lodges In Yosemite National Park
⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Ahwahnee Hotel - Click here for Rates and Availability.
The Ahwahnee stands as Yosemite's most iconic lodge, a National Historic Landmark that has hosted royalty and presidents while offering unmatched views of Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. This architectural masterpiece blends historic elegance with modern comfort, featuring fine dining, a heated outdoor pool, and artisan shops right at your doorstep. After a day exploring the valley's waterfalls and granite cliffs, you'll appreciate the world-class hospitality and luxurious amenities that make this more than just a place to stay.
⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Yosemite Valley Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Yosemite Valley Lodge sits right at the base of Yosemite Falls, offering 245 rooms including family rooms and bunk rooms perfect for groups exploring the park together. The lodge's glass-and-wood architecture frames incredible views while keeping you close to trailheads, with shuttle access, multiple dining options, and seasonal bike rentals right onsite. After hiking to Vernal Fall or exploring the valley floor, cool off in the seasonal outdoor pool or grab a meal before heading to the outdoor amphitheater for evening ranger programs.
⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Curry Village Tent Cabins - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Nestled beneath Glacier Point since 1899, Curry Village tents offers an authentic lodging experience. This historic base camp puts you right in the heart of Yosemite Valley with multiple dining options, an outdoor pool, and easy shuttle access to trailheads and waterfalls.
Lodges near Yosemite National Park
There are several great lodging options near Yosemite National Park. We are huge fans of staying in Oakhurst, California and entering the park from the southern entrance. Check out my Oakhurst Lodging Guide.
⭐️ 4.4 of 5 Stars - The Pines Resort at Bass Lake - Click here for Rates and Availability.
The only lakeside resort in the Yosemite area, sitting right on the shores of Bass Lake just 17 miles from Yosemite National Park's South Gate with a private beach, full marina, and some of the best sunsets in the Sierra Nevada!
Choose from lakeside suites with log-burning fireplaces, wet bars, and lake-view decks, two-story chalets with full kitchens, or a romantic Honeymoon Suite with an oversized jetted tub. Ducey's on the Lake serves farm-to-table cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with stunning water views, and the poolside beach bar is perfect for after-hike refreshments. Amenities include a seasonal outdoor pool with pool hoist, hot tub, full-service spa, 24-hour fitness center, yoga classes, boat and kayak rentals, two tennis courts, billiards room, convenience market, live entertainment, coin-operated laundry, free WiFi, and free parking. Pet friendly and open year-round!
⭐️ 4.8 of 5 Stars - Chateau du Sureau - Click here for Rates and Availability.
A Forbes Five Star, AAA Four Diamond Provence-inspired castle tucked in the Sierra Nevada foothills just 20 miles from Yosemite's South Gate, widely regarded as the finest luxury hotel in the entire Yosemite region!
The 11 individually designed rooms and suites feature working fireplaces, pillowtop mattresses, down comforters, hypoallergenic bedding, separate soaking tubs and showers, Moulton Brown toiletries, slippers, robes, and private balconies overlooking nine acres of terraced French gardens. A bottle of local rosé awaits you on arrival, and a full gourmet breakfast is included each morning with fresh-squeezed orange juice. The legendary Erna's Elderberry House restaurant is one of California's most celebrated dining destinations, drawing food lovers from across the state for its tasting menus and wine pairings. Additional amenities include a full-service spa, seasonal outdoor pool, bocce court, concierge, valet parking, room service, free WiFi, and free parking. No children under 10. Pet friendly with a fee, open year-round!
Click on this link or the map below to see additional lodging options near Yosemite NP.
https://www.stay22.com/embed/61f07d51cbb4390015c70b0fYosemite National Park Entrance Fee
New in 2026: Each Non-US Resident aged 16 and older visiting Yosemite National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $35.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $30.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $20.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $70.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$0.00 for Education/Academic Group
$300.00 for Non-Commercial Group (16+ persons)
$40.00-$20.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)
$20.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats
$200.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats
$300.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
Yosemite National Park No Longer Requires Peak Hours Reservations
Yosemite National Park will not require advance reservations in 2026, including during peak summer months and the February-March firefall period. The park will rely on real-time traffic management measures, including temporary traffic diversions when parking areas reach capacity and deployment of additional seasonal staff to manage high-use areas.
Additional Yosemite Resources
- Complete Guide to Exploring Yosemite National Park
- Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias - The grove is outside of the valley on Highway 41 next to the southern entrance to the park.
- Things to do in Yosemite
- 1-Day in Yosemite guide
- Yosemite Winter Guide
- Yosemite Lodging Guide
- Yosemite National Park Camping Guide
Things To Do Near Yosemite National Park
- Oakhurst, California, the Southern Entrance to Yosemite
- Bass Lake Travel Guide
- The Sierra Vista Scenic Byway
- Wassama Round House State Historic Park
- Oakhurst Lodging Guide
- Oakhurst Restaurant Guide
- Madera Wine Trail
Check out all of the National Parks in California and neighboring National Parks in Oregon, National Parks in Nevada, and National Parks in Arizona.
Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok
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