Chilnualna Falls Horse Trailhead

This is the stock-use trailhead for the Chilnualna Falls trail network in Wawona — the access point for riders bringing horses or mules, separate from the parking area most hikers use. A horse-specific fork splits off from the main foot trail here and runs alongside it for about a quarter mile before the two rejoin, keeping stock traffic off the lower stretch that hikers use.

Trail Rules for Stock Users

The lower section of the Chilnualna Falls foot trail is closed to stock at its junction with the horse trail, so riders need to stay on the designated horse fork rather than the hiker-only lower path. Past that split, the route climbs toward Chilnualna Falls, a series of five granite cascades totaling roughly 690 feet of drop. The full route to the falls runs about 8.2 miles round trip with 2,400 feet of elevation gain — a strenuous full day whether you're riding or hiking it.

Overnight Stock Camping Nearby

Wawona Campground keeps two dedicated stock sites seasonally, each sized for up to six people and six head of stock, with a limit of two vehicles and two stock trailers per site. Reserve ahead — stock sites in Yosemite are scarce, and this is the closest one to the trailhead.