Things to do nearWapama Falls

Wapama Falls drops dramatically from the northern rim of Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park, fed by the seasonal snowpack of the Sierra Nevada high country. The falls have long been central to the identity of this quieter corner of Yosemite, which was flooded in 1923 to create the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir that supplies water to San Francisco.

The hike to Wapama Falls begins at O'Shaughnessy Dam and follows a well-maintained trail of roughly five miles round trip. The path hugs the reservoir's edge, passing through oak and bay laurel woodland before opening onto granite ledges with sweeping water views. The final approach leads to a series of wooden footbridges directly in the falls' path.

Spring visitors encounter the falls at their most powerful, when snowmelt sends white sheets of water cascading over the cliff face. By late summer the flow slows considerably, revealing the polished granite beneath. Wildlife is abundant year-round, with black bears, mule deer, and osprey commonly spotted along the trail.

Hetch Hetchy sees far fewer visitors than Yosemite Valley, making Wapama Falls a rewarding destination for those seeking genuine solitude alongside spectacular scenery.