Yosemite 2024 Spring Update: Waterfalls, Wildlife & Wildflowers
Hi friends, and welcome to my Spring 2024 live update on what Yosemite National Park is currently looking like. The waterfalls are at their peak with roaring displays, Spring wildflowers are popping up all over the park in vibrant hues, and wildlife is abundant, providing visitors an opportunity to see deer, bears, coyotes, and all kinds of bird species. I spent the last several days in Yosemite celebrating National Park Week and partnering with Visit Yosemite | Madera County, so join me below as we take a look at the current conditions you can expect to see on your upcoming Spring adventure road trip.
Yosemite Falls seen from Sentinel Meadow in Spring 2024
Yosemite Waterfalls
Currently the waterfalls in Yosemite are flowing with incredible force. Even though we didn’t get near the record breaking levels of precipitation that California received in 2023, the waterfalls in the park seem to be raging at a similar thundering force as they did last year...and from what I hear they will continue to increase in flow over the next few weeks. Here are all the waterfalls I saw this last week during my road trip through the park and what they’re currently looking like.
Grouse Creek Falls in Yosemite National Park
Grouse Creek Falls
Just after passing through the Arch Rock Entrance along Highway 140, you might notice a wide cascading waterfall across the Merced Gorge if you park at this pullout. It’s easy to miss because of tree coverage and its location is a ways back (plus most visitors are so mesmerized by driving through the granite arch entrance and eager to get into the valley). The falls drop a total of almost 500 ft, but only a fraction of that is visible from this vantage point. Regardless, I’ve never seen it flowing this intensely, so it was a great start to our Spring 2024 road trip into Yosemite.
Wildcat Falls in Yosemite National Park
Wildcat Falls in Spring 2024
Wildcat Falls
Another waterfall that is often missed by visitors entering the park, Wildcat Falls is also flowing beautifully right now in the Merced Gorge about 3 miles east of the Yosemite Arch Rock Entrance. Comprised of seven thin drops that rush down over 700 ft, you can a couple of main teirs from the highway where the trees open up momentarily. However, I’d recommend parking at this pullout and taking the short 1/4 mile path to see the falls crash down onto several large stair-stepped boulders at the base. Wildcat Falls isn’t quite at as heavy as last year’s record-breaking Spring, but it’s still flowing wonderfully right now.
For more details on this visiting this waterfall, check out my full Wildcat Falls & Cascades blog post.
The Cascades in Yosemite National Park
The Cascades
You’ll find the last large drop of the Cascades, which is gushing right now, located just past Wildcat Falls along Highway 140. There’s a great viewing platform right off the road with plenty of parking spots, so it makes for a great quick stop. Although it might be tempting to hike closer to the base, there is no easy path and it would require a lot of boulder scrambling along rushing water, which could be quite dangerous this time of year. If you have time, head up Big Oak Flat Road for views of a higher section of this magnificent waterfall. Another unique vantage point, especially with the current conditions, take a drive through the Wawona Tunnel to this pullout along Highway 41 for views from across the Merced Gorge.
For more details on this visiting this waterfall, check out my full Wildcat Falls & Cascades blog post.
Bridalveil Fall Trail in Spring 2024
Bridalveil Fall viewing platform in Yosemite Valley
Bridalveil Fall
Often mistaken as Yosemite Falls by first-time visitors, Bridalveil Fall is one of the most pictured waterfalls in Yosemite since it’s one of the iconic features seen from Tunnel View, Valley View, and several other spots on the west side of Yosemite Valley. The NPS has recently renovated the parking area and short 1/4-mile trail leading to a wonderful viewing platform at the base of this 620 ft fall, which I highly recommend checking out. Just be prepared to get wet if you do! Currently, the mist from this iconic waterfall crashing down envelops the platform and path leading up to it...but it’s totally worth it! 💦
If you’d like more information on hiking to Bridalveil Fall, stay tuned! I’ll be posting a full blog post about my recent visit to this spot on Monday 5/6.
Ribbon Fall in Yosemite during Spring 2024
Ribbon Fall
The tallest single drop waterfall in North America, Ribbon Fall is putting on a show right now, which is a real treat since much of the year it’s completely dry. I love the subtle S-curve in this valley waterfall. One of my favorite spots to view this impressive fall is from the pullout for the marker where John Muir and President Teddy Roosevelt sat by a campfire to discuss the preservation of America’s wilderness.
Horsetail Fall in Spring 2024
Horsetail Fall
Although this waterfall is best known for transforming into Firefall for a couple weeks each Winter, the mist pouring off the shoulder of El Capitan is beautiful right now. Firefall seekers would be thrilled to see this much water flowing off Horsetail Fall in February! A great spot to see this seasonal waterfall is at this pullout along Southside Drive where the NPS has cleared much of the forest in recent years, providing wide open views of the granite features across the valley.
For more information on seeing the Firefall phenomenon, check out my Complete Firefall Visitor’s Guide.
Flooded Merced at Swinging Bridge with Yosemite Falls in the distance
Lower Yosemite Falls raging in Spring 2024
Yosemite Falls
The waterfall that most visitors are eager to witness for themselves this time of year is Yosemite Falls, North America’s tallest waterfall at 2,425 ft. This Yosemite icon is absolutely raging right now, and rumor has it, this famous waterfall will likely continue to grow in force over the next few weeks, so now is the perfect time to jump in your car and head up to the mountains. The force of the water crashing down at the base of Lower Yosemite Falls is extremely intense right now, causing this popular spot to be less crowded than usual. I’d highly recommend wearing a poncho right now, or bring an extra set of clothes to change into after. If you’re not keen on getting wet, there are several great spots throughout the east side of the valley that have incredible views right now. The Yosemite Valley Swinging Bridge offers great reflections in the swollen Merced River, and the Cook’s & Sentinel Meadows are always fabulous spots to enjoy Yosemite Falls.
For more information on hiking to the base of this waterfall, check out my full Lower Yosemite Falls blog post.
Sentinel Falls seen from Yosemite Valley Swinging Bridge
Sentinel Falls
Sentinel Falls is a lesser known Yosemite waterfall, but with the current flow, visitors are sure to take note of this long cascading drop on the south wall of the valley. After enjoying views of the famous Yosemite Falls from the Yosemite Valley Swinging Bridge, turn the opposite direction and look up to the right of Sentinel Rock for great views of this season fall.
Royal Arch Cascade and the road to the Ahwahnee Hotel
Royal Arch Cascade
Spilling down the granite slopes of the Royal Arches, these cascades can be seen from multiple spots on the east side of the valley, such as the Swinging Bridge and Stoneman Meadow...but my favorite view is from the Ahwahnee Hotel. Here you’ll get up-close views of this waterfall with one of the most historic national park hotels in the country in the foreground.
Lehamite Falls in Spring 2024
Lehamite Falls
I was pleased to learn about a new waterfall on this year’s Spring adventure. I noticed a beautiful strand of water tumbling down a deep depression in the granite just east of Yosemite Falls, and I came to find out it was Lehamite Falls. This is apparently a very seasonal waterfall, only revealing itself for a couple months a year, depending on the Spring snowmelt. It’s a tough waterfall to see due to its location and deep inset into the granite...the best vantage point I found was from the Yosemite Valley Swinging Bridge.
Staircase Falls above Curry Village in Yosemite Valley
Staircase Falls
Cascading down a series of large granite steps, Staircase falls can be seen above Curry Village on the far side of Yosemite Valley. I wouldn’t say it’s raging right now, but this unique waterfall is still fun to see. The best spots to see it are from the Curry Village Ice Rink (which is closed for the season), and from across the valley at the Ahwahnee Meadow.
Flooded Merced at the Pohono Bridge in Yosemite Valley
Flooded Merced River and Yosemite Falls in Spring 2024
Merced River Level
Last year the Merced River rose to astonishing levels. This Spring the Merced isn’t quite as high...I’d estimate it’s about 5 feet lower than in Spring 2023. The rapids flowing down the Merced Gorge near the Arch Rock Entrance are quite the spectacle, as the water violently tumbles over the massive granite boulders resting in the river bed. In the Yosemite Valley, the Merced River is seemingly still is some locations, but don’t let that fool you...under the glassy surface the flow can be extremely dangerous for anyone who enters the water. The two best indicators for river height for me are at the Yosemite Valley Swinging Bridge and the Pohono Bridge. Last year the waters were almost touching the bottom of the Swinging Bridge, and as you can in the picture above, it’s several feet below currently. The Pohono Bridge, which is the historic stone bridge visitors cross right when entering the valley along the one-way Southside Drive, is actually where the NPS measures water levels, which provides them a good indication of what flooding may be potentially occurring throughout the valley.
Lupine in Merced Gorge along Highway 140 in Yosemite
Dogwood blooms at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite Valley
Snow plant in Yosemite National Park
Spring Wildflowers
When people think of Spring in Yosemite, wildflowers are not at the top of their list like other parts of California. However, there are many beautiful blooms currently in the park. Two of the most dominant right now are the lupine and the dogwood. The hills along Highway 140 entering the park through El Portal are bursting with the purple hues of lupine right now...so when you pull off to admire the raging Merced, make sure to turn around and look up the hillside to soak in the wildflower views as well.
Right now is also the perfect time to see the Dogwood trees blooming all over Yosemite National Park. The flowers start off with a greenish hue and then transition into lovely delicate white petals at their peak. Right now most of the park is still in the early greenish stage, but this unique flowering tree should be blooming at its peak in the next week or two. I have three favorite spots to experience the Dogwood Trees (which are also magnificent in the Autumn with Fall colors): the Ahwahnee Hotel, the Valley Loop Trail across the Merced from El Capitan, and along the Wawona Meadow Loop Trail near the south entrance to Yosemite.
Another bloom you might encounter in the Wawona area right now, as well as in other higher elevations of the park, is the peculiar looking snow plant. This otherworldly bloom juts out of the forest floor this time of year, and it’s hard to miss along the trail due to the vibrant red hue. The snow plant (aka snow flower), is actually a parasitic plant that steals nutrients from fungi along tree roots...but it’s not all one-sided. The flower returns the favor by providing fixed carbon to the fungus. All that said, it’s quite mesmerizing to look at!
Coyote along the Wawona Meadow Loop Trail in Yosemite National Park
Deer grazing near Wildcat Falls in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite Wildlife
Wildlife in Yosemite is magical any time of year, but in the Spring the animals are incredibly active and abundant. On my recent visit, I saw deer, coyotes, and all kinds of bird species. Although I didn’t encounter these myself this trip, visitors should also be prepared to see black bear, bobcats, and foxes.
Raging Merced River below El Capitan seen from Valley Loop Trail
Know Before You Go
• For more information on the waterfalls listed above and more, check out my Complete Guide to Yosemite Waterfalls.
• The Travel Alerts page on YosemiteThisYear.com is a great resource to reference prior to any Yosemite trip. There you’ll find up-to-date park information, road conditions, and links to everything you might need while preparing for your trip.
• Spring in Yosemite is beautiful, but the rivers inside the park are clearly running very high. Please do not enter or approach the water’s edge, as the current is incredibly dangerous. Recreate responsibly by staying on the designated trails and keep a safe distance from the water’s edge as you enjoy the park...flooding may increase over the next month as the snow melt continues.
• During my recent trip, there were long delays along Highway 41 / Wawona Road due to extensive tree work by the NPS from the Wawona Tunnel to Bridalveil Fall (including Tunnel View). Be prepared for delays in both directions.
• Please remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints. Pack out everything you pack in and stay on the designated paths. If you’re not familiar with the Leave No Trace Principles, consider familiarizing yourself with them before your trip. Please help leave this special place better than you found it so its natural beauty can be enjoyed for years to come.
• This is black bear country. Bears and other wildlife can be present on trails at any time of the day or night. Feeding and approaching wildlife is dangerous and illegal. Make sure to properly store your food.
• Be prepared for sudden and sometimes hazardous changes in weather and trail conditions, especially during the Spring season...rock falls are common around waterfalls and the granite can become very slippery.
• If you’re planning an upcoming trip to Yosemite, it’s incredibly important to visit the official Yosemite NPS website prior to your trip for the most up-to-date park information, as conditions and closures may be changing daily due to rock falls and/or flooding.
Top 10 Yosemite Activities in Spring
Bridalveil Fall Trail
Valley Loop Trail
Upper Yosemite Falls Trail
Wawona Meadow Loop Trail
Cook’s & Sentinel Meadow Loop
Yosemite Falls in Spring 2024
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining me this week inside Yosemite National Park. For a virtual visit of my 2024 Spring road trip, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video located at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here.
I’d like to give a special thank you to the sponsor of this post, Visit Yosemite | Madera County. Please consider stopping off to support the small businesses and local economies of the gateway communities surrounding the park. For great information on what to do inside Yosemite National Park and in Madera County directly to the south (along Highway 41), check out YosemiteThisYear.com and @yosemitemadera on Instagram. Until next time, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Valley View in Spring 2024
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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I spent the last week in Yosemite National Park checkout out what the waterfalls and flooding is looking like now. Check out the current conditions of Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, the Merced River, and the Spring wildflowers blooming in the park and where to find them. Read this Spring travel guide to plan your upcoming Yosemite road trip to see its raging waterfalls & abundant wildlife.