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Location: Yosemite Village, Yosemite National Park, Mariposa County Stream: Yosemite Creek Alternate Names: Height: 320 ft. Access:            Distance: 0.6 miles (RT) Elevation: 4000 ft. Season: Apr-Jul Form:   Lat/Long:37.75132, -119.59656 Directions:The Lower Yosemite Falls parking lot is now permanently closed. Park in the Yosemite Lodge parking lot, if you can find one of the few legal spaces, and walk across the road and up to the viewpoint for Lower Yosemite Falls. Otherwise, park in Yosemite Village and take the shuttle to the lower falls.

Yosemite National Park in California is truly magnificent. It is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It is home to the highest waterfalls in North America, and they are nothing less than spectacular. It is home to some absolutely huge, incredible rocks (such as Half Dome, and El Capitan). It is home to some old growth forests. The scenery is awesome. You will not be able to see everything in a single trip. We have been there three times now, and there is still so much more we want to see there. You will need to make reservations for camping or lodging well in advance, due to the large number of tourists that go there (at least 3 months to 1 year). One other recommendation: if you are going there to see the waterfalls, you should go in mid May to early June. A lot of the waterfalls dry up over the summer, or do not flow with as much force in later months. We have been there in July and in late May, and in March. Although the waterfalls were still great in July (the ones that were still flowing), in May they are absolutely overwhelming. We can not describe in words how incredible these waterfalls are. They take your breath away.

Everyone who goes to Yosemite National Park, will see Lower Yosemite Falls. It is easy to get to, however they have now officially closed the lower falls parking lot. It is a busy place, but Lower Yosemite Falls is impressive nonetheless. Together with Upper Yosemite Falls (1430 ft.) and the middle cascades (675 ft.), the total height of the waterfalls is 2425 ft., making this the 5th highest waterfall in the world. In the spring, you will likely get wet just standing at the viewpoint. The actual waterfall is still a few hundred yards away. That is how powerful these waterfalls in Yosemite are. In the summer months, you can climb up the rocks to get a closer view, but in the spring it would be very dangerous to do so. I love coming here in the early morning hours when not many other people are around. You can also usually see a rainbow on the lower falls in the early morning (see above photo).

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