Waterwheel Falls

Tuolumne County, California

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Tuolumne County, California
Access status: Official long route; Tioga Road seasonal access
The walk: About 19 miles return
Ground & access: Long and strenuous. Several unbridged stream crossings; water can be high, cold and swift early in the season. Elevation is regained on the return.

NPS: Glen Aulin and Soda Springs Trailhead

Waterwheel Falls, CA
Photo credit
Photo: Navin75, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Start from the Lembert Dome parking area in Tuolumne Meadows. Follow the Tuolumne River 5.5 miles down to Glen Aulin, then about 4 miles farther into the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne to Waterwheel Falls. Return the same way, climbing back up. This is a very long day hike or an overnight trip.

Plan your visit

Glen Aulin Trailhead near Lembert Dome, Tuolumne Meadows, via Glen Aulin to Waterwheel Falls

NPS day hikes page gives 5.5 miles to Glen Aulin, then 4 more miles, for a 19-mile total round trip. The NPS backpacking page lists 20.6 miles round trip.

Long and strenuous. Several unbridged stream crossings; water can be high, cold and swift early in the season. Elevation is regained on the return.

Where to start

Lembert Dome parking area. NPS says overnight parking on Tioga Road ends October 15.

Timing & water

The trailhead is reachable by vehicle only when Tioga Road is open, typically late May or early June to October or November.

Before you go

Yosemite entrance pass required; NPS lists the standard pass at $20 to $35. Overnight trips need a wilderness permit; NPS lists permit demand as high.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore California

Waterfall location

Tuolumne County, California.

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