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Mist Trail to Vernal Fall — photo 1
1 / 5
ModerateOut and Back
Yosemite National Park/California

Mist Trail to Vernal Fall

Yosemite Valley, California

1.6 mi

Distance

1,001 ft

Elev. Gain

2h 18m

Est. Time

Out & Back

Route Type

Moderate

Difficulty

About This Trail

Imported description
Classic Yosemite hike passing 317-foot Vernal Fall. Steep granite staircase gets misty from the waterfall, especially in spring. Can extend to Nevada Fall (7 miles RT).

Trail Conditions

Trail Conditions

Open

Updated Apr 19, 2026 — may be out of date

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Trail Details

  • No dogs
Route Type
Out & Back
Surface
Mixed Surface

Official sources & verification

Managed by National Park Service

Verify before you go

Source of truth

Verify by phone or mail

  • Operator:209-372-0200
  • Address:9039 Village Drive · Yosemite, CA · 95389
We display cached information from agency feeds. Hours, fees, permits, closures, fire restrictions, and conditions change without notice. Outdoors is not the permitting authority. Confirm current conditions for this trail using the links above before you go — you are responsible for compliance. Spot an error in our data?

Best Seasons

SpringSummer

Highlights

Vernal Fall (317 ft)Granite stairsRainbow viewsEmerald Pool

Reviews

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OpenStreetMap

Hunt context

This trail crosses hunting units

During hunting seasons, wear blaze orange and check regulations — see the California hunting page

Nearby Trails

More trails near Mist Trail to Vernal Fall
Half Dome

Half Dome

14.2 mi
TrailExpert Permit
Nevada Falls

Nevada Falls

5.4 mi
TrailDifficult
Vernal Falls and Clark Point via Mist and John Muir Loop

Vernal Falls and Clark Point via Mist and John Muir Loop

4.2 mi
TrailDifficult
Half Dome Trail

Half Dome Trail

14.8 mi
TrailExpert
Vernal and Nevada Falls via the Mist Trail

Vernal and Nevada Falls via the Mist Trail

8.8 mi
TrailDifficult
Mirror Lake Loop

Mirror Lake Loop

3.9 mi
TrailEasy

In this park

Other trails in Yosemite National Park

View Yosemite National Park
Half Dome

Half Dome

California

14.2 mi4,800 ftgain
TrailExpert Permit
Mirror Lake Loop

Mirror Lake Loop

California

3.9 mi98 ftgain
TrailEasy
Yosemite Falls Trail

Yosemite Falls Trail

California

7.2 mi2,700 ftgain
TrailDifficult
Four Mile Trail

Four Mile Trail

California

9.6 mi3,199 ftgain
TrailDifficult
Vernal and Nevada Falls via the Mist Trail

Vernal and Nevada Falls via the Mist Trail

California

8.8 mi3,159 ftgain
TrailDifficult
Upper Yosemite Falls Trail

Upper Yosemite Falls Trail

California

7.2 mi5,167 ftgain
TrailExpert

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