Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Wapama Falls

    5.0 (8 reviews)

    Wapama Falls Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Wapama Falls

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Kaori M.

    Very beautiful area. It was much prettier than I had expected. From the dam to Wapama Falls is just 2.5 miles, so 5-mile out and back, simple hike. Since we had a big hike the day before, we decided to do a short hike. Next time I want to hike up to Rancheria Falls.

    Jason G.

    It's about a 5 mile round trip that takes roughly 3 hours, with very little elevation change. It's nice to walk along the shoreline in essence of the reservoir and see the mountainside as well. The falls, once there, are awesome. You can see Wapama Falls from the parking lot on the other side of the dam and it looks farther than what it seemed getting there. Another wonderful experience in the Yosemite National Park.

    View of the reservoir from the trail...simply beautiful
    Sarah B.

    I grew up going to Yosemite, camping, hiking, etc. but it wasn't until this year that I finally made it to Hetch Hetchy. I had seen that Wapama Falls was the day hike to do if you're at Hetch Hetchy in Sunset Magazine a while ago so my husband and I gave it a go. It's a very easy hike, not strenuous, just light ups and downs. I guess the "hardest" part of this trail is slippery areas/rocks and a few stairs. The slippery parts are probably depending on what time of the year you go. We went in the spring and everything was melting and the falls was flowing, not too horrible though. After coming home I did a little research on this trail and read that some times the falls is impassable because it's flowing too much and you can get swept off the trail. I had thought about this when crossing because there are parts where there is no bridge, just a rock wall/trail that you cross. If that is wet or flooded I would suggest NOT crossing you will just fall off the side. We were able to cross and kept going a little ways, but turned around since we were only there for the day. We brought a lunch and enjoyed it on a part of the trail where the rocks dome over and there is plenty of bare areas to sit and enjoy the views. I have to say never seeing this side of Yosemite, I was blown away all over again. Yosemite never ceases to amazing me with it's beauty and Hetch Hetchy is no exception. The view was beautiful I never wanted to leave, then again that's how I feel when hiking any where in Yosemite.

    Derek M.

    My wife and I have hike all over Hetch Hetchy for years. We love the fact that you can get out in Yosemite without as many people. The Wapama Falls is a nice and easy hike for all level of hikers. In 2017 my wife and I hike to the falls many times. We have seen massive rockfalls in the area and even the bridge closed do to water damage from the falls. Hetch Hetchy is located about 30 minutes from the Hwy 120 entrance into Yosemite.

    See all

    Photo of Ed T.
    101
    356
    2829

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tara A.
    1961
    822
    4441

    10 years ago

    Helpful 21
    Thanks 0
    Love this 21
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    I got to do some work out here and this is an amazingly beautiful place to spend the day. I would love to come out here again

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kaori M.
    269
    1738
    1482

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jason G.
    4678
    3625
    8806

    14 years ago

    Helpful 11
    Thanks 0
    Love this 11
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Derek M.
    162
    166
    750

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Wapama Falls

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Hiking 202 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Yosemite National Park South Side - :)

    Yosemite National Park South Side

    4.7(28 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    We bought the Senior Park Pass for $20 and now have free access for a year to any National Park…read more So we got into Yosemite on our second day of vacation for free! A favorite of ours is Bridle Vail Falls. It's a rest stop with plenty of bathrooms, but also there's a really nice easy walking trail and Bridle Vail Falls is up close so you don't have to hike a mile or more to see it. A great place to refresh and stretch your legs. There was some road construction so naturally with a two lane road there are delays. Not too long of a wait. The previous fire damage is obvious as is the new growth. Once inside Yosemite Village things are back to normal (thankfully) and the glory that is Yosemite reigns supreme. Expect a 1 1/2 to 2 hour drive into and out of the park. Take maps because cell service can be tricky. Go!

    Reservation is required to drive into or through the park on some dates/times through Oct 27. Check…read morethe website for more information. You can enter the park without a reservation before 5 am or after 4 pm. Reservations are required at any time in between. The YNP South Side is amazing! Breath breathtaking views, beautiful waterfalls (Vernal & Nevada Falls), and much to explore. It takes about 45mins-1hr to get from the South Entrance to Yosemite Valley. We stayed about 25 minutes from the South Side Entrance and arrived at YNP around 4:30 am. We did not have to pay entrance fees and could experience the beautiful sunrise. If you can do that, please don't hesitate; it's so worth it. Plus, if you start early, you avoid the crowds and see more of YNP!

    Photos
    Yosemite National Park South Side - Top of Vernal Falls

    Top of Vernal Falls

    Yosemite National Park South Side - Bridal Veil Falls in September

    Bridal Veil Falls in September

    Yosemite National Park South Side - Emerald Pools

    See all

    Emerald Pools

    Snow Creek Trail - A petrified UFO!!

    Snow Creek Trail

    5.0(3 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    When you pick five stars the rating shows 'Woohoo! As good as it gets!' Uh well it should be 'damm…read moreit's as hard as it gets'. Don't believe the 'several dozen' switchback nonsense that the NPS will tell you. I think that means like 36. HA! I counted 113 on the way down. Erin S and I went on a backpacking trip up this trail last week-end. Our winter trip in summery conditions. Our packs were heavy because of the 4 season tent, bear can, and warm clothes. I was wearing a Suunto Ambit that said we had only gone a mile. How the 'H' is that possible when we had been climbing for almost two hours? This dang thing must be broken. The switchbacks are never ending and steep. Imagine this. For every tenth of a mile you will climb 100 ft. Can you visualize this? We set off from our car at the Happy Isle TH parking and made it to the TH cutoff for Snow Creek by 12:15. Hey we only have to climb 2.7 miles right? We should be at the top in camp by 4:00. At 4:00 I had readjusted my expectations to just get there in time to climb into my bag. A couple of day hikers passed us, and at the same time passed judgement, based on me laying on the ground gasping and crying for air. My pack was lying in the middle of the trail blocking any forward progress; I don't think they had much confidence in our (my) success. We finally made it to the footbridge as dusk was fading to full dark. Fortunately we had two days to recover and not think about having to go back down the evil switchbacks. I guess I should mention that the views are amazing of Half Dome, Quarter Domes, and all other manner of memorable granite objects. Take a moment from staring in misery at the ground as you trudge ever upward and take in the scenery. Makes it all worthwhile! BTW....the Suunto was correct. Ow...I need to take some more Advil and soak in some Epsom salt now. After I crawl out of my bed.

    I bought all my shit to go backpacking and to become a mountain man. I've done a few day-hikes and…read morefelt I was ready for a big one, according to me. This is about a six mile hike, two miles through Mirror Lake and about four going up about 2,800 ft. in 99 switch backs. This hike beat me the F-ck up! It took me six hours to get up to the top, had dinner, good dinner and when we woke up we just decided to pack it up and get the hell out of Dodge! Coming down presented a new world of pain, I got a blister and my big toe nail turned purple??? This hike was way out of my league, I would not recommend it unless your are in shape, oh and by the way I was carrying 30+ lbs. of shit on my back! Incredible waterfalls through the hike and spectacular views once we got to the top including an incredible view of Half Dome from an angle I have never seen before! This is a great hike!

    Photos
    Snow Creek Trail
    Snow Creek Trail
    Snow Creek Trail - Best campsite.

    See all

    Best campsite.

    Wapama Falls - hiking - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...