Illilouette Falls
Yosemite West, Yosemite National Park
| Address: | Illilouette Falls Bridge, Yosemite Village, CA 95389, USA |
| GPS: |
37°42'48.1"N 119°33'40.1"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | California |
| Trail Length: | 4.00 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| Hike Difficulty: | Beginner |
| Elevation Gain: | 1200 feet |
| Trails/Routes: | 0.4-2.1 mi |
Waterfalls Streams Trails Wildflowers
Hike
Illilouette Falls Trail is a 4 mile hike down to Illilouette Creek, where there is a footbridge, a great view of Illilouette Falls, and several benches for onlookers to stop, rest, and enjoy a snack. The hike begins at Glacier Point, but it actually starts going downhill, making the return trip the more difficult one of the two.
To get an even better view of the falls, some choose to take the Panorama Trail once reaching the creek. This trail is an extra mile long and leads to a slightly dangerous lookout over Illilouette Falls. The Panorama Trail is peaceful, less traveled, and it's not uncommon for hikers to come across deer on their way to the Falls. The first half of the Panorama Trail also provides views of Half Dome and Nevada and Vernal Falls. After reaching the lookout, you can turn around and make your way back to the car, or you can continue on for another three miles to reach the mist trail.
Like most waterfalls in Yosemite Valley, Illilouette Falls flows all year but is at its peak in the spring and summer months. In the fall and winter months, the falls tend to dry up.
More Information
Yosemite National Park Itinerary
This Yosemite National Park Itinerary will help you get started as you plan your vacation to Yosemite National Park.
https://www.justgotravelstudios.com/collections/national-park-itineraries/products/yosemite-national-park-itinerary?ref=9zpxis0diinYosemite Hikes: Illilouette Falls
The Illilouette Falls Trail, a 2-mile (one-way) descent from Glacier Point to a 370-foot waterfall on Illilouette Creek
https://www.yosemitehikes.com/glacier-point-road/illilouette-falls/illilouette-falls.htmBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Yosemite West, Yosemite National Park
- Head southwest on Northside Dr toward Cook's Meadow LoopToll road(2.9 mi)
- Keep right to stay on Northside DrToll road(2.1 mi)
- Turn left onto Southside DrToll road(0.9 mi)
- Slight right onto CA-41 S/Wawona RdContinue to follow Wawona RdToll road(9.2 mi)
- Turn left onto Glacier Point RdToll roadParts of this road may be closed at certain times or days(15.0 mi)
There is parking just outside the trailhead at Glacier Point.
Other Hiking Trails Nearby
Glacier Point
Yosemite National Park
1.3 miles NWPerched at 7,214 feet above Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point delivers bird's-eye views of Half Dome, El Capitan, and multiple waterfalls — accessible by car or a 4.7-mile hike.
Hike 1.9-2.9 mi
Mist Trail
Yosemite National Park
1.4 miles NA steep, mist-soaked Yosemite staircase hike climbing 639 stone steps past Vernal and Nevada Falls — with Half Dome, Whitecap, and Mt. Broderick views from the switchbacks above.
Backpack, Hike 4.6 mi
Four Mile Trail
Yosemite National Park
2.0 miles NWA 4.7-mile one-way hike connecting Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point with views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, and the Royal Arches — best visited in spring when the falls run full.
Hike 1.2 mi
Taft Point
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
2.4 miles WA 5-mile Yosemite loop pairing Sentinel Dome with Taft Point, offering El Capitan views, dramatic cliff fissures, and 3,000-foot valley vistas — no guard rails, so watch your footing.
Hike
Mirror Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
2.5 miles NA paved, car-free trail winds to this seasonal lake at the base of Half Dome, offering a still mirror reflection and a popular summer swimming hole.
Backpack, Hike, Swim 0.7 mi
Cook's Meadow Loop
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
2.8 miles NWA nearly 1-mile, nearly flat loop in Sentinel Meadow with close-up views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Sentinel Rock — Yosemite's best easy walk.
Hike 0.8 mi
Lower Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
3.0 miles NWA short, flat walk to the base of a 3,967-foot waterfall — twice the height of the Empire State Building and one of North America's tallest, best visited in spring or early summer before it dries.
Hike 4.1 mi
North Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
3.0 miles NA strenuous 10.4-mile hike through Yosemite forest to North Dome, rewarding hikers with the best straight-on view of Half Dome from 7,450 feet — plus a 0.6-mile detour to a 15-foot granite arch.
Backpack, Hike 15.9 mi
Valley Loop Trail
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
3.0 miles NWAn 11.5-mile loop trail through the heart of Yosemite Valley following the Merced River past wildflower meadows, the Three Brothers, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Falls — with nearly no elevation gain.
Hike 2.9 mi
Upper Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
3.2 miles NWThe tallest waterfall in North America at 2,425 feet — a 7.2-mile, 2,600-ft-gain hike to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls with stunning valley views along the way.
Hike 1.7 mi
Mono Meadow
Yosemite West, Yosemite National Park
3.2 miles SWA short, lightly trafficked 3-mile round-trip hike through a wildflower meadow recovering from wildfire, offering simultaneous views of Mt. Starr King, Clarke Range, and Half Dome.
Hike 1.9 mi
Half Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
3.4 miles NEA grueling 14-mile round-trip hike with 4,800 feet of gain to the summit of Half Dome, including a cable section in the final 400 feet — a permit is required and a sunrise start is essential.
Hike
Horsetail Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
3.8 miles WFor a few weeks in mid-to-late February, Horsetail Falls glows orange with reflected sunset light — a rare 'firefall' phenomenon requiring clear skies and a parking permit.
Hike 2.1 mi
Snow Creek Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
3.9 miles NA 2,140-foot, seven-drop cascade tucked deep in Tenaya Canyon — best spotted from the Mirror Lake Loop, where you can also take a swim before hunting for the falls from the Snow Creek Trail junction.
Backpack, Hike 0.2 mi
Ribbon Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
4.4 miles WThe longest single-drop waterfall in North America at 1,612 feet — seasonal and best seen in late morning when the sun hits it directly, visible from El Capitan Road as you enter Yosemite Valley.
Hike 0.2 mi
Bridalveil Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
4.7 miles WA 620-foot waterfall that flows year-round and soaks onlookers with mist — Bridalveil Falls is just a quick half-mile paved walk from the trailhead, wheelchair accessible and pet friendly.
Hike 0.5 mi
McGurk Meadow
Yosemite National Park
4.7 miles SWA flat, 0.8-mile walk through one of Yosemite's most secluded wildflower meadows, complete with a brook and a historic 1800s cabin — few visitors, pure charm.
Hike 5.5 mi
Ostrander Lake
Wawona, California
6.2 miles SAn 11.4-mile Yosemite hike to a semi-secluded swim lake surrounded by granite mountains — wildflowers, streams, and meadows in summer; open for cross-country skiing in winter via Ostrander Lodge.
Hike, Swim
Tenaya Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
9.8 miles NETenaya Lake's glacier-carved granite shoreline offers a spacious east-beach for swimming, canoeing, and kayaking with stunning Yosemite dome views all around.
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim 0.7 mi
Lukens Lake
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
9.9 miles NA short 1.6-mile forest walk to a secluded lake famous for the luminescent shooting stars visible while you swim, plus a wildflower meadow that peaks in July.
Hike, SwimNearby Campsites
Merced River
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
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Camp, Swim, Whitewater 5.7 mi
Ten Lakes
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Backpack, Camp, Hike
Crane Flat
Big Oak Flat, Yosemite National Park
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Backpack, Camp, Hike, Snowshoe 6.1 mi
Glen Aulin
Wawona, California
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Backpack, Camp, Hike
Glen Aulin
Glen Aulin, California
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Backpack, Camp, Hike, Swim
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Tuolumne County, California
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Camp, Hike 4.0 mi
Saddlebag Lake
Lee Vining, California
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Camp, Canoe, Hike
Briceburg Recreation Area
Midpines, California
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Camp, Kayak, Swim
Crystal Lake
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Camp, Hike
Standish Hickey Area
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Backpack, Camp, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Wild Willy's Hot Spring
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Crowley Lake Campground
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Camp
