Yosemite Valley Yosemite Valley is world famous for its impressive waterfalls, meadows, cliffs, and unusual rock formations. Yosemite Valley Map    Interactive Map of Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Valley is accessible by car all year, but during the summer months traffic can get fairly congested, please make use of the free shuttle bus service.

Perhaps the most famous sight in the valley is the granite monolith of Half Dome, a mountain whose sheer face and rounded top looks like a giant stone dome that has been split in half. The imposing vertical face of El Capitan is legendary among climbers, and numerous lesser-known features line the valley.

Equally famous for its waterfalls, Yosemite Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in the world at 2425 feet, it is most impressive during the spring months. Bridalveil Fall is another easily accessible waterfall. Nevada Fall and Vernal Fall can be reached by those willing to do some hiking, visit the hiking page for more information.

Waterfalls

Yosemite is home to countless waterfalls. The best time to see waterfalls is in the spring. Peak runoff typically occurs in May or June, with some waterfalls (including Yosemite Falls ) often only a trickle or completely dry by August. The most famous among them are:

• Yosemite Falls (2,425 ft)
  flows from winter through early to mid-summer. It is usually dry by sometime in August. Look for the ice cone at the base of the upper fall during winter and for roaring peak runoff in May or June. Yosemite Falls , one of the world's tallest, is actually made up of three separate falls: Upper Yosemite Fall (1,430 ft), the middle cascades (675 ft), and Lower Yosemite Fall (320 ft). You can walk to Lower Yosemite Fall in just a few minutes. A hike to the top of Upper Yosemite Fall is a strenuous, all-day hike.
• Bridalveil Fall (620 ft).
  flows all year and is often the first waterfall seen by visitors entering the park. In spring it thunders; during the rest of the year look for its characteristic light, swaying flow. You can walk to the base in just a few minutes.
• Vernal Fall (317 ft)
  flows all year, though by mid- to late summer it narrows and separates into one, two, or three falls as water flows decrease. It is best seen from Glacier Point or by hiking up alongside it via the Mist Trail.
• Nevada Fall (594 ft)
  flows all year and is best seen from Glacier Point or by hiking up alongside it. Nevada Fall is located above Vernal Fall in an area known as the "giant staircase."
• Ribbon Fall (1,612 ft)
  flows during the spring only. It is located just west of El Capitan and is best seen from near the bottom of Bridalveil Fall.
• Horsetail Fall (1,000 ft)
  flows in the winter and early spring. It is famous for appearing to be on fire when it reflects the orange glow of sunset in mid-February. It falls off of the east side of El Capitan and is best seen from just east of El Capitan .
• Staircase Falls (1,300 ft)
  flows in spring, cascading down various ledges from near Glacier Point to Curry Village .