Mist Trail

The Mist Trail is an 11 km out-and-back trail in Yosemite National Park, United States, gaining roughly 610 m of elevation as it climbs to the top of Nevada Fall. Rated moderate to strenuous, it scales more than 600 granite steps beside Vernal and Nevada Falls, soaking hikers in spray during peak snowmelt — one of California's most iconic short hikes.

About the Mist Trail

The Mist Trail is the most famous footpath in Yosemite Valley, and for good reason: in a little over 5 km one-way it carries you past two thundering waterfalls, through a perpetual cloud of spray, and onto granite shelves with views of Liberty Cap and the shoulder of Half Dome. The trail begins near Happy Isles at about 1,200 m and climbs steadily up the Merced River canyon. Most hikers treat it as an out-and-back, though the classic version returns via the John Muir Trail to form a loop of roughly 11 km.

The name comes from the wall of mist thrown off by Vernal Fall, which drenches the granite staircase from spring through early summer. This is a short trail by distance but a demanding one in effort — more than 600 stone steps, exposed drop-offs and slick rock mean the National Park Service records frequent sprained ankles and knee injuries here each season. It is not a wilderness expedition; it is a steep, busy, spectacular day hike, and one of the best introductions to Yosemite's granite landscape you can find. If you are coming from a longer multi-day route like the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania, the Mist Trail will feel short but surprisingly punchy.

The path is part of a much larger network: at the top of Nevada Fall it joins the John Muir Trail, which runs 340 km south to Mount Whitney, and the Half Dome route, which branches off toward Yosemite's most famous summit. That means the Mist Trail works equally well as a half-day outing, the warm-up leg of a Half Dome attempt, or the first kilometres of a multi-week thru-hike. Whatever your plan, the granite staircase beside Vernal Fall is the constant — a stretch of trail that has funnelled hikers up this canyon since the original steps were laid in the early 1900s.

Route Overview & Stages

The figures below describe the classic ascent from Happy Isles (shuttle stop #16) to the top of Nevada Fall, with a recommended descent on the John Muir Trail. Distances are one-way for the climb and the return leg is noted separately.

The full loop totals about 11 km with roughly 610 m of cumulative gain and takes most hikers 4 to 6 hours including breaks. If you only have time for one waterfall, turn around at the top of Vernal Fall for a 4 km round trip with 300 m of climbing — still a serious staircase, but achievable in 2 to 3 hours. Note that the Mist Trail is one-directional in spirit but not officially split, so expect two-way foot traffic on the narrow steps; descending the same staircase in the wet is where most slips happen, which is why the John Muir Trail makes a safer, drier return.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Vernal Fall Footbridge — At 1.3 km from the trailhead, this bridge over the Merced River frames the first head-on view of 97 m Vernal Fall and has the trail's last reliable drinking water.
• The Mist Section — A staircase of more than 600 granite steps cut into the cliff beside Vernal Fall, soaked in spray from April through July. A rain jacket is essential here in spring.
• Vernal Fall (97 m) — A broad, powerful curtain that runs heaviest during May and June snowmelt and slows to a trickle by late summer.
• Emerald Pool & Silver Apron — Above Vernal Fall, the Merced glides over a smooth granite ramp into a green pool. Swimming is illegal and has caused fatalities — the current is deceptively strong.
• Nevada Fall (181 m) — The trail's high point at roughly 1,800 m, where the river plunges off a granite lip beside the dome of Liberty Cap.
• Liberty Cap — A 2,143 m granite dome looming over Nevada Fall, one of the most photographed profiles on the route.
• Clark Point — A junction on the John Muir Trail descent offering a wide panorama back down the Merced canyon toward the falls you just climbed.
• Half Dome views — From the upper trail you catch the rounded back of Half Dome (2,694 m), Yosemite's signature summit.

Best Time to Hike the Mist Trail

The single best month to hike the Mist Trail is May, when Sierra snowmelt drives Vernal and Nevada Falls to their fullest and the mist section lives up to its name. Daytime temperatures in the valley sit around 20–24 °C, the granite steps are open, and the waterfalls are at peak volume before the summer crowds intensify.

June is a close second, with strong flow and long daylight but heavier visitor numbers. By August and September the falls shrink dramatically — Vernal Fall can slow to a thin ribbon — and afternoon temperatures often exceed 30 °C, making the exposed climb hot and dusty. October offers cool, quiet hiking but reduced waterfall drama, with crisp mornings around 8–12 °C and the first autumn colour in the canyon oaks.

Whatever month you choose, start early. The Happy Isles trailhead and shuttle fill by mid-morning in season, the lower steps are coolest and least crowded before 9 a.m., and an early start leaves a margin if afternoon thunderstorms build over the high country — common on summer afternoons in the Sierra Nevada. Carry layers: the valley can be warm while the spray zone beside Vernal Fall stays cold and wet enough to chill you within minutes.

Winter brings a different picture: the lower Mist Trail beside Vernal Fall closes from roughly November to April because of falling ice and rock, and hikers are rerouted onto the John Muir Trail. As of 2026, the National Park Service has scheduled trail repairs that close the Mist Trail Mondays through Thursdays, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., from June 30 through October — so plan a Friday-to-Sunday hike during that window, or start before 7 a.m. Always check current conditions before you set out.

Practical Information

Accommodation

There are no huts or shelters on the Mist Trail itself — it is a day hike from Yosemite Valley, so you stay in the valley and walk from there. Options include Yosemite Valley Lodge (from about €230 per night), the canvas tent cabins at Curry Village (from about €140 per night), and the seasonal North Pines and Upper Pines campgrounds (around €33 per night, reservation required). Demand is extreme in spring and summer, and rooms routinely sell out months ahead, so book as early as your dates allow. Budget travellers often base in Mariposa or El Portal outside the park, where motels run €90–150 per night.

Getting There & Back

The nearest airport is Fresno Yosemite International (FAT), about a 2.5-hour drive south of the valley; San Francisco and Sacramento are roughly 3.5 to 4 hours away. Inside the park, leave your car at the day-use lots and ride the free Valleywide or East Valley shuttle to stop #16, then cross the bridge to the Happy Isles trailhead. Without a car, the YARTS bus connects Merced, Mariposa and the valley year-round, linking to Amtrak and Greyhound services in Merced, with travel times of about 2.5 hours from Merced.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to day-hike the Mist Trail to the top of Nevada Fall. You do pay the park entrance fee of US $35 per vehicle (around €32), valid for seven days. In peak season Yosemite operates a timed-entry reservation system, so confirm whether you need a day-use reservation for your travel dates. If you plan to continue to the Half Dome cables, a separate lottery permit is mandatory and strictly enforced. Book entry reservations and Half Dome permits through Recreation.gov, and verify trail status on the official National Park Service Mist Trail page.

Gear & Packing List

The Mist Trail is a day hike, but the spray, the steep steps and the variable Sierra weather make your kit matter. The most important item is a waterproof shell — the mist section will soak you on a sunny day. Bring sturdy shoes with good grip for wet granite, 2–3 litres of water (carry 3–4 quarts if you push to Nevada Fall), sun protection, and trekking poles to spare your knees on the descent.

A lightweight 12–35 litre daypack is ideal. For fast hikers, a running-style vest such as the Salomon ADV Skin 12 carries water and a jacket comfortably. If you want more room for layers and a camera, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider is a durable ultralight choice, while the Osprey Atmos AG 50 suits anyone combining the trail with backcountry nights. For more pack ideas, see our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026. Pack enough food too — the climb burns more than you expect, as our guide to how many calories you need hiking a full day explains.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the Mist Trail leaves you wanting more granite and waterfalls, three other US classics make natural next steps. The Wonderland Trail circles Mount Rainier for a true multi-day adventure, the Teton Crest Trail delivers a hard, high-alpine traverse through the Tetons, and the Bright Angel Trail offers a comparable steep, iconic descent — this time into the Grand Canyon rather than up a waterfall staircase.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Mist Trail?
May is the best month, when snowmelt pushes Vernal and Nevada Falls to peak flow and the famous mist is at its strongest, with comfortable valley temperatures near 20–24 °C. June is also excellent but busier. By late summer the falls shrink and the exposed climb gets hot, while the lower trail closes in winter due to ice and rockfall.

How difficult is the Mist Trail?
It is rated moderate to strenuous. The distance is short — about 11 km for the full loop — but you climb roughly 610 m, including more than 600 steep granite steps that are slick with spray. Sprained ankles and knee injuries are common. Reasonably fit hikers manage it comfortably; the steps and exposure are the main challenge, not the length.

How long does the Mist Trail take per day?
It is a single-day hike, not a multi-day route. The full loop to the top of Nevada Fall and back via the John Muir Trail takes most people 4 to 6 hours including breaks. A shorter out-and-back to the top of Vernal Fall covers about 4 km and takes 2 to 3 hours, while reaching just the footbridge is under 3 km round trip in about 1.5 hours. Pace yourself on the steps and start early to beat both the heat and the crowds.

Where do you stay when hiking the Mist Trail?
You base in Yosemite Valley and day-hike from there. Options range from Yosemite Valley Lodge (around €230 per night) and Curry Village tent cabins (around €140) to valley campgrounds near €33 per night. There are no huts on the trail. Accommodation sells out months ahead in spring and summer, so reserve as early as possible or stay in nearby Mariposa.

Do you need a permit for the Mist Trail?
No permit is needed to day-hike the Mist Trail to Nevada Fall. You pay the US $35 (about €32) park entrance fee, and in peak season you may need a timed-entry reservation booked through Recreation.gov. A separate lottery permit is required only if you continue to the Half Dome cables, and it is strictly enforced by rangers.