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Ribbon Meadow
A remote high-country meadow in the drainage above Ribbon Fall
About
Ribbon Meadow is a high, grassy clearing in the Ribbon Creek drainage above Yosemite Valley's rim, tucked into rugged country near El Capitan's western side. This isn't a stop you drive to — it's a backcountry destination reached by a genuine, if strenuous, approach trail, and most visitors who make it here are backpackers, not day-trippers.
Getting there
The most common approach starts at Tamarack Flat Campground, climbing steadily through forest before leveling out at the meadow — a route also used by parties tackling the longer Yosemite North Rim backpacking circuit. A longer, more demanding option connects in from White Wolf via El Cap Ridge, favored by experienced off-trail navigators rather than casual hikers. Either way, expect a full day of climbing before you reach it.
What you'll find
The meadow itself is wet and grassy, fed by a tributary of Ribbon Creek — the same creek that plunges over the valley wall downstream as Ribbon Fall, the longest single-drop waterfall in North America at roughly 1,612 feet. Wildflowers can be abundant here in early summer, especially into early July, though the same moisture brings heavy mosquito pressure. Ribbon Meadow is a popular first-night camp for backpackers working the Tamarack Flat approach, so don't expect solitude on busy weekends.
Permits and planning
Any overnight stay requires a valid Yosemite wilderness permit, available through the park's advance reservation system or a smaller daily walk-up allotment. There's no signage, no facilities, and no cell service out here, so come with real backcountry navigation skills regardless of which approach you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a maintained trail to Ribbon Meadow?
There's a real, if unofficial and strenuous, backpacker's approach trail from Tamarack Flat Campground, plus a longer off-trail route from White Wolf via El Cap Ridge — but neither is a casual, signed park trail, so come with backcountry experience.
Do I need a permit to camp at Ribbon Meadow?
Yes. Any overnight stay in Yosemite's wilderness, including a night at Ribbon Meadow, requires a valid wilderness permit obtained through the park's advance reservation system or a limited daily walk-up allotment.
What's the connection between Ribbon Meadow and Ribbon Fall?
Ribbon Meadow sits in the same drainage as Ribbon Creek, which plunges over Yosemite Valley's wall downstream as Ribbon Fall — at about 1,612 feet, the longest single unbroken waterfall drop in North America, though it usually runs dry by midsummer.
When are the wildflowers best at Ribbon Meadow?
Early summer, into early July, is typically when the meadow's wildflowers are most abundant — though the same wet ground means mosquitoes are also at their worst, so plan gear accordingly.
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