Chilnualna Falls Trailhead

Chilnualna Falls Trail climbs out of the quiet residential end of Wawona to one of Yosemite's most rewarding multi-tiered waterfalls, a series of cascades pouring over granite slabs above the Wawona basin. It's a full day out — roughly 8 miles round trip with about 2,300 to 2,400 feet of elevation gain — but the payoff is a waterfall most park visitors never see, since Wawona sits well south of the crowds in Yosemite Valley.

What to expect on trail

The path follows Chilnualna Creek from the start, with a good look at the lower cascade reachable about a quarter mile in if you don't want the full climb. Past that, a long series of switchbacks works up through open forest with views back toward Wawona Dome. The climb is steady rather than technical — no scrambling or exposure — but the mileage and elevation gain make this a genuinely strenuous day, not a casual stroll. Most hikers plan on 5 to 7 hours for the round trip.

Best time to go

Spring delivers the fullest flow, with peak water typically running in May from snowmelt. By mid-to-late summer the falls thin out considerably and the lower-elevation trail can run hot, so an early start matters more here than it does on higher-elevation Yosemite hikes.

Trailhead and parking

• Located about 2 miles up Chilnualna Falls Road from the Wawona Hotel and store
• Outhouses are available at the trailhead
• Parking is roadside plus a dirt lot at the end of the last parking area — arrive early on busy weekends, there's no shuttle out here