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.
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.
Bridalveil Fall Rehabilitation Project
The rehabilitation project started in 2019 and is due to be complete in Fall 2022.
The purpose of the Bridalveil Fall Area Rehabilitation Project was to:
- Improve visitor services at the base of the waterfall, including restroom facilities
- Protect natural and cultural resources in the area
- Reduce crowding on the trails and the viewing platform
- Improve safety and congestion in and around the parking lot
- Improve interpretation and wayfinding
- Improve accessibility for visitors
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.
Yosemite National Park Tours
Semi-Private Yosemite Tour with Ahwahnee Lunch and Hotel Pickup/Dropoff - This is an 8-hour tour that begins with a pick-up at your hotel or the meeting point(Denny's in Oakhurst).
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!
California Audio Tour Bundle (Get 4 Audio Tours) - With Shaka Guide's GPS Audio Tours, you are guided to hidden gems and iconic sights. Now, you can explore at your own pace without worrying about keeping up with a tour. Tours include:
- Yosemite's Majestic Beauty
- Death Valley's Unique Geology
- Joshua Tree's otherworldly Landscapes
- Lake Tahoe's Clear Waters
Private Full-Day Fly Fishing for Beginners and Experienced Anglers - Here is your chance to enjoy fly fishing in Yosemite with your private guide! This full-day adventure (Approx. 8 hours) is where you can fish the Tuolumne and Merced River watersheds for Rainbow, Brown, Brook, and Golden Trout on the catch-and-release excursion. The tour includes:
- all fly fishing gear, fishing license, Peak Season Reservation, and entrance fees
- round-trip transportation from Yosemite Valley or Groveland
- snacks/lunch
Check out more great tours of Yosemite. Tours include hiking, snowshoeing, roundtrip tours from San Francisco, and more!
Yosemite National Park Entrance Fee
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)
$45.00-$125.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)
$125.00 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 five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Additional Yosemite Articles
Yosemite Camping - Information on every campground in Yosemite including site photos and reservation info.
Things to do in Yosemite - The top things you do not want to miss during your trip to the park.
Yosemite Valley Lodge - Room video tour and photos, what to expect during a stay at this great lodge in the park
Wawona Hotel - Room video tour and photos, what to expect while staying at this historic lodge
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