Yosemite’s Waterfalls Peak Flow Won’t Last Long This Year. Here’s Why.

If a trip to Yosemite National Park is on your list this year, the window to catch the waterfalls at full force is narrower than usual.

A dry winter left the park’s snowpack at roughly 37% of normal during the April 1 survey, and warmer temperatures have been pushing snowmelt earlier than expected. That means the big waterfalls, including Yosemite Falls and Vernal Fall, are likely peaking in April and May rather than the typical June timeline.

The park itself reported in early April that even small creeks were rushing with water as high-elevation snow melted quickly. But without a deep snowpack to sustain that runoff, seasonal waterfalls could slow to a trickle by late June and dry up completely in July.

There is some good news for visitors. No entrance reservations are required to enter Yosemite at any point in 2026, so planning a spontaneous trip is easier than it has been in recent years. Just be ready for crowds. The park warned last week that all parking in Yosemite Valley filled up during a busy Saturday.

For current waterfall conditions, check the National Park Service website before heading out.