Yosemite 2025 Spring Update: Waterfalls & Wildflowers!
Spring has officially sprung in Yosemite National Park, and it’s a magical time to visit. If you’re planning a trip soon and wondering what Yosemite looks like right now, you’re in the right place. This Spring conditions report covers everything you need to know for your upcoming adventure, including waterfall flow, Merced River levels, wildflower updates, meadow conditions, and current road access. Last week I enjoyed a road trip to Yosemite with my mom and Nate’s parents, so join us below as we dive into what the park is like heading into this first week of May.
All photos included in this post were captured between 4/28 and 5/2.
Bridalveil Fall seen from Tunnel View in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite 2025 Summer Reservation System
The biggest Yosemite news from this last week was the announcement of peak-hours reservation requirements for the 2025 Summer season. For all the key dates and details, check out my full Yosemite 2025 Summer Reservation System blog post.
Our family posing below Yosemite Falls along Sentinel Meadow
Yosemite 2-4 Day Summer Itinerary & Travel Guide
If you’re planning a Yosemite road trip during the summer months, make sure to download my complete Yosemite 2-4 Day Summer Itinerary & Travel Guide, which includes an hour-by-hour schedule, Google & Apple map pin locations, the best stargazing spots, a dining guide, recommendations on where to stay, activities outside the park, and more! Download it today and make your Yosemite planning easy!
Ribbon Fall in Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Falls seen from Cook’s Meadow in Yosemite National Park
🌊 Yosemite Valley Waterfalls
If you’re a waterfall lover, now is the time to go! Yosemite's waterfalls are flowing strong and stunning right now, and are likely at their peak flow for the entire year. While runoff isn't quite as heavy as the past two record-setting years, it’s still incredibly impressive and a major highlight of any spring visit.
Yosemite Falls: Yosemite Falls is absolutely roaring. The Upper Falls are blasting off the granite ledge in dramatic fashion, which can be best enjoyed from the Sentinel Meadow boardwalks, the Yosemite Valley Chapel, Cook’s Meadow, and the Yosemite Valley Swinging Bridge. Lower Yosemite Falls is surging with such intensity that you’ll likely get misted at the footbridge.
Bridalveil Fall: Bridalveil Fall is also in excellent shape. If you're visiting Tunnel View or Valley View, the heavy flow and misty plume add to the classic Yosemite postcard scene. If you venture to the viewing platform near the base of the fall, prepare to get quite wet!
Ribbon Fall: The tallest single-drop waterfall in North America is flowing beautifully this year. While not quite as thunderous as the last two years, Ribbon Fall is still an incredible sight, especially when viewed from Southside Drive near the marker where Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir camped.
Other active waterfalls worth checking out in and around the Yosemite Valley include Vernal Fall, Lehamite Falls, The Cascades, Sentinel Falls, Silver Strand Falls, and Royal Arch Cascades.
Yosemite Falls above the Merced River seen from Yosemite Valley Swinging Bridge
El Capitan & Bridalveil Fall above the Merced River seen from Valley View
🏞 Merced River
The Merced River is high and fast-flowing this spring, providing dramatic scenery throughout Yosemite Valley. While it’s not at the flood levels we saw in 2023, it’s still super impressive and photogenic. There are so many great spots in the Yosemite Valley to enjoy the “river of mercy”, but a couple of my favorites are:
Pohono Bridge: The Valley Loop Trail near the Pohono Bridge on the west side of the Yosemite Valley is a great spot to enjoy the Merced River without the crowds. This is also where the National Park Service measures the official river flow.
Swinging Bridge: Another great spot to observe the current water level is the Swinging Bridge area, where you can compare the waterline to previous years.
Valley View: Also known as Gates of the Valley, Valley View offers one of the best viewpoints in all of Yosemite. Visitors can soak in an iconic scene of El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall with the Merced River rushing by in the foreground.
Dogwood blooms seen near Pohono Bridge in Yosemite Valley
🌼 Wildflowers & Meadows
In addition to the water flow, spring-time is lovely in Yosemite National Park due to its lush woodlands, thriving meadows, and hillsides dotted with wildflowers. Here are some of the current highlights this first week of May:
Meadows: The Yosemite Valley meadows are just beginning to wake up. Cook’s Meadow, Sentinel Meadow, and El Capitan Meadow are just starting to turn green, with patches of standing water adding some great reflections of Yosemite’s iconic landmarks. No wildflowers are present in the meadows yet, which likely won’t appear for another month or two.
Wildflowers: Although the meadow wildflowers haven’t emerged yet, there are still some wonderful spring blooms elsewhere in the park. The Merced River Gorge along El Portal Road (Highway 140) is already showing off patches of vivid purple lupine. It's one of the best wildflower drives this time of year. However, the biggest highlight right now in my opinion are the dogwood trees. The dogwoods are show off delicate white blossoms in spring, which are popping up across Yosemite Valley and along Wawona Road near the South Entrance. The blooms are patchy—some trees are in full flower, while others are just budding—but this means you'll have a rolling display of blossoms over the next few weeks.
Cars along Wawona Road at Tunnel View in Yosemite National Park
🚗 Yosemite Road Conditions
All major roads currently open in Yosemite National Park are in great condition. As of the publishing of this article, no chains are required on any open roads, but it’s always a good idea to visit the official NPS website and call 209/372-0200 (press 1 then 1) for the most up-to-date road conditions and chain requirements.
Note: Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road are still closed for the season currently. These typically reopen between mid-May and late June, depending on snowmelt and road repair progress.
My mom and me at Lower Yosemite Falls
Know Before You Go
• For more information on the waterfalls listed above and more, check out my Complete Guide to Yosemite Waterfalls.
• Spring in Yosemite is beautiful, but the rivers inside the park can run very high this time of year. Please do not enter or approach the water’s edge, as the current is incredibly dangerous. Recreate responsibly by staying on the designated trails and keep a safe distance from the water’s edge as you enjoy the park.
• Please remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints. Pack out everything you pack in and stay on the designated paths. If you’re not familiar with the Leave No Trace Principles, consider familiarizing yourself with them before your trip. Please help leave this special place better than you found it so its natural beauty can be enjoyed for years to come.
• Cell service is unreliable in Yosemite and the surrounding regions, so bring a reliable GPS device with pre-downloaded maps. I love using Gaia GPS for iPhone and Android devices.
• This is black bear country. Bears and other wildlife can be present on trails at any time of the day or night. Feeding and approaching wildlife is dangerous and illegal. Make sure to properly store your food.
• Be prepared for sudden and sometimes hazardous changes in weather and trail conditions, especially during the Spring season...rock falls are common around waterfalls and the granite can become very slippery.
• If you’re planning an upcoming trip to Yosemite, it’s incredibly important to visit the official Yosemite NPS website prior to your trip for the most up-to-date park information, as conditions and closures may be changing daily due to rock falls and/or flooding.
• Peak-hour reservations will be required for the 2025 Summer season. For all the key dates and details, check out my full Yosemite 2025 Summer Reservation System blog post.
Top 10 Yosemite Activities in Spring
Valley Loop Trail
Upper Yosemite Falls Trail
Cook’s & Sentinel Meadow Loop
Downloadable Itineraries & Travel Guides
Yosemite Falls & the Merced River level seen at Yosemite Valley Swinging Bridge
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining me this week inside Yosemite National Park. For a virtual visit of Yosemite’s current Spring conditions, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video located at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Flooding at Cook’s Meadow below Yosemite Falls
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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