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Rancheria Falls

Tuolumne · Managed by Yosemite National Park (NPS) · Region: Yosemite National Park
Difficulty 10/100 · Easyout and back#waterfalls#hetch-hetchy#spring#beginner-friendly
Distance
12.6 mi
Total gain
700 ft
Net gain
700 ft
Net loss
700 ft
Elevation
4,715–7,664 ft
Days
2
Permit
Required
Campfires
Campfires allowed

Overview

Rancheria Falls is Yosemite's easiest spring waterfall camp: a gentle 6.3-mile stroll around the north shore of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir to a broad cascade that roars in May and calms by August. Ideal for first backpacking trips and early- or late-season outings.

Highlights

  • A wide, layered cascade on Rancheria Creek near the reservoir's east end
  • An easy shoreline trail with almost no elevation gain
  • Some of Yosemite's best early-spring and fall backpacking weather
  • The gateway to Tiltill Valley and the park's north country

How hard is Rancheria Falls?

CaliPeaks rates this route 10/100 (Easy). The score weights five factors: climbing counts for 45% — 700 ft puts this trip at 6% of the reference climb; distance 20% at 12.6 miles; maximum altitude 15% at 7,664 ft; route technicality 10% (established trail throughout); and trip length 10% at 2 days. A score under 20 suits first-time backpackers; 60+ means serious endurance. See how we score difficulty for the full method.

Logistics

  • Trailhead: Rancheria Falls Trailhead (Hetch Hetchy) (7,664 ft) · parking: O'Shaughnessy Dam parking, Hetch Hetchy Road end
  • Water: Falls Creek and Rancheria Creek; treat all water.
  • Resupply: None; carry everything from the start.
  • Shuttle: Not needed for an out-and-back.
  • Bear canister required.

Permits

  • Agency: Yosemite National Park (NPS)
  • Reserve or apply on nps.gov
  • Quota: Trailhead quota for the Rancheria Falls entry applies; 60% reservable 24 weeks out, 40% seven days out.
  • Reservation window: Lottery-based advance reservations; remaining quota releases weekly.

Campfires & stove regulations

Campfires allowed. Campfires are allowed in existing fire rings below 9,600 ft unless fire restrictions are in effect. Current fire restrictions. Rules change with conditions — always confirm with the managing agency before your trip.

Best time to go

Best months: April, May, June, September, October.

Snow: Hetch Hetchy's low elevation makes this one of the earliest and latest backpackable trails in Yosemite.

Heat: The reservoir shore is hot in midsummer.

Bugs: Moderate in spring.

Weather forecast

Know before you go

  • Mid-summer can be hot and dry along the reservoir
  • No store at Hetch Hetchy — pack everything
  • Bear canisters are required

Sources & citations

Data compiled 2026 from public agency and reference sources. All descriptive text on this page is original; verify current conditions with the managing agency before your trip.

  1. SRTM90 elevation data (sampled). OpenTopoData (SRTM, NASA/USGS-derived open data) via Photon geocoding (OpenStreetMap). https://www.opentopodata.org/. Accessed 2026-09-10. Elevation sampled at geocoded coordinates; location from OpenStreetMap data (ODbL).
  2. Hetch Hetchy Area Trails — Rancheria Falls. Yosemite National Park (National Park Service). https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hetch-hetchy-area-trails.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Distance (12.6 mi) and elevation gain (700 ft) from the Rancheria Falls trailhead.
  3. Wilderness Permits. Yosemite National Park (National Park Service). https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Permit requirement, quotas, and reservation windows.
  4. Wilderness Regulations. Yosemite National Park (National Park Service). https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildregs.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Campfire rules and bear canister requirement.