Hiking in Yosemite: Mist Trail with Kids

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Mist Trail — A Stunning Waterfall Hike in Yosemite National Park

Jaw-dropping views of exploding waterfalls and the powerful Merced River put the Mist Trail at the top of the list for hiking in Yosemite for all levels of hikers.

The most popular trail in the park, and a semi-challenging one at that, don't let the crowds or the challenging stairs scare you away.

Having done some family hiking in Yosemite, below we cover:

• How to Hike Yosemite Mist Trail to Vernal Fall

• Good to Know About this Yosemite Hike

• Reaching Top of Vernal Fall

• Continuing on to Nevada Fall

• How to Take the Clark Point Cutoff to the…

• John Muir Trail

• Happy Isles Trailhead

• Yosemite Valley Free Shuttles

• Mist Trail Map

• Can I hike the Mist Trail Year Round?

• More Hiking in Yosemite

Summer 2023 in Yosemite

Reservations are no longer required to visit Yosemite National Park. Yay!

How to hike the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall in 2023

Carve out a good chunk of a day for this, and promise towering ice cream cones at the end of the trek.  Ice cream is a huge motivator around here. 

The Mist Trail is a moderate hike doable with kids.  We chose to make the steep 1.5 mile climb up to Vernal Fall with our kids ages 8, 11, 14, and 15.  

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The first paved mile of the trail is the busiest and leads you to the Vernal Falls footbridge.

Then, you will follow the Mist Trail up what I call nature's stair master: a long,winding granite stairway of over 600 steps.  Phew!  If my 8 year old can do it, so can you.

Please keep your kids within arm's reach and please just keep going.  There is a portion, where you basically hug the granite wall as you trek up the stairs, with only a simple, yet sturdy fence keeps you from sliding, tumbling down the incline.  

Slippery footing and a ginormous amount of waterfall spray occurs here along the steep staircase in spring and early summer.  

It isn't called the Mist Trail for nothing.  

It's worth every shirt-grabbing, hand-holding, yelling moment with your kids.  And if you're smart and alert, you will be safe and have fun!

Good to know

You will get soaked even if you're wearing a rain jacket. 

You will cling to the staircase wall and wait for others to pass from the opposite direction.

You will witness gorgeous rainbows in the spray of the fall.

You will marvel together and encourage each other up to the top!  

You will make an amazing memory together!

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Reaching the top of Vernal Falls Hike

Smile upon reaching the top of Vernal Falls and pat yourself on the back.  

Soak in sunshine along the landing, pull out your snacks, and savor jaw-dropping views on top of the 317-foot waterfall.  Rest and enjoy God's masterpiece.

Stay safe

Do not step across the railings to take pictures and use extreme caution while you're near the Merced River and wet boulders in this area.  Injuries and deaths occur every year in Yosemite because people do not heed warning signs.  You're not vying for the Darwin Award.

Continue on hike to Nevada Falls

The hike further up to Nevada Fall is another 1.5 miles of rocky, steep switchbacks.  I'm sure its a rewarding view, but we didn't do it.  We decided we want our kids to like hiking.  And us.  

And seriously, those ice cream treats were calling our names.

But, we did take an alternative route back down that rewarded us with a sweet shot of Nevada Fall from the John Muir Trail:

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How to take the Clark Point Cutoff

Following our heart-thumping, ever-so-worth-it hike up the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall, we chose this alternate route down.  Ask a ranger before the hike to make sure of it's location, otherwise you might walk right by it.    

A sign on the Vernal Falls hike mentions the Clark Point Cutoff as an alternative hike back.  The Clark Point Cutoff eventually connects with the John Muir Trail, which leads you down with amazing views of Yosemite Valley.  And this way has less traffic.

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John Muir trail in Yosemite

Remember, the Mist Trail to and from Vernal Fall can be crowded.  The John Muir Trail seems to be a bit less traveled, at least from our experience on a summer Saturday. 

Serious hikers use the longer John Muir Trail to elevate themselves in Little Yosemite Valley, providing them with access to hike Half Dome all the way to the top.

The Clark Point Cutoff to the John Muir Trail provided relaxed, fantastic, gorgeous views of both Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls (see above) on the way back down.

Totally recommend this return route, especially for families hiking in Yosemite.

PRO TIP: You can also hike Mist Trail to Half Dome. We dream of returning in a few years, obtaining a wilderness permit, and completing this famous Yosemite hike.

Interested too? Read the Earthtrekkers’ Hiking Half Dome in Yosemite: a Step-by-Step Guide.

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Happy Isles Trailhead

Yosemite’s Mist Trail begins from Happy Isles (shuttle stop #16).

Ride the free Yosemite Valley shuttle to Happy Isles and then follow the signs across the bridge to where the trail begins.  You can't miss it.

Yosemite Valley Shuttles

The free Yosemite Valley shuttle system provides convenient access around Yosemite Valley.

• Yosemite Valley shuttle
  This bus provides service around eastern Yosemite Valley, including stops at or near all overnight accommodations, stores, and major vistas. This shuttle is operating on a modified basis, with service every 20 to 30 minutes from 7 am to 8 pm at a limited number of stops (see map).

• El Capitan shuttle
  This bus stops at El Capitan, Four Mile trailhead, and the Valley Visitor Center. This shuttle operates from mid-June through early October from 9 am to 5 pm.

MIst Trail Map

Grab your map.  Bring LOTS of drinking water.  Pack rain jackets if you can.  Bring lots of snacks.  (We devoured ALL of ours.)

Drinking water is available at the shuttle stop near the trailhead, as well as at the Vernal Fall Footbridge (May thru October).  This is the only drinking water available along the trail, so carry plenty of water for your hike.  

Plan on carrying 2 liters per person on the hike.

Our kids loved this adventurous, challenging hike.  And those ice cream cones at the end of the hike were de-li-cious.  

Can I hike the Mist Trail year Round?

According to Yosemite’s offical NPS.gov site, you can hike to both waterfalls all year. However, in winter, there is a specific route that remains open while some sections of trail are closed.

The lower portion of the Mist Trail along Vernal Fall closes in winter due to risk of falling ice and rock.

The upper portion of the John Muir Trail between Clark Point and the top of Nevada Falls is closed in winter due to treacherously icy conditions.

Keep in mind that the sections of trail that remain open in the winter may be very icy and/or snowy. View current conditions for trail closures.

More Hiking in Yosemite

Here are some various Yosemite hikes that include the Mist Trail and other amazing things to see in Yosemite:

Mist Trail to Half Dome

There are a few different trails that lead to the top of Half Dome, including the John Muir Trail, but trek on the Mist Trail to Half Dome is the shortest route to the summit.

The hike has a distance of approximately 14.2 miles and a total elevation gain of about 4,800 feet.

Nevada Fall to Little Yosemite Valley

After an uphill trudge, the trail levels into Little Yosemite Valley.

The trail splits, the left one heading directly toward Half Dome and the right branch following the river.

Either trail will take you to a designated camping area. Watch for signs.

Plan to return to the Happy Isles Trailhead via the John Muir Trail as it’s the easiest to descend.

While steep continuing on this hike is quite rewarding!

Yosemite Valley Hikes Like the Mist Trail

• Valley Loop Trail

• Yosemite Falls Trail

• Snow Creek Trail

• Four Mile Trail

• Half Dome Trail

Do I need a reservation to visit Yosemite in 2023?

Reservations are no longer required to visit Yosemite National Park.

As always, we strongly recommend that you make a reservation if you plan to stay overnight in Yosemite. The park entrance fee is $35 per car (valid for seven consecutive days).

Reservations were required in the summers of 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic and in summer 2022 when numerous key visitor attractions were closed for critical infrastructure repairs. They were also required for three weekends in February 2023 to help manage crowding and associated impacts during the Horsetail Fall event.

Learn more about current Yosemite park closures for flooding or snowfall, etc.

Have you gone hiking in Yosemite? If so, which Yosemite hikes would you recommend for families?

Know a family headed to Yosemite soon?  Please feel free to share this post with them.

All photos belong to Tanya Raedeke.  You must request written permission to use any of the photographs in this post.  Thank you!

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Hiking in Yosemite with your kids is an excellent way to experience one of California's best national parks. One of the best Yosemite hikes to massive waterfalls, here's how to hike the Mist Trail up to Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall from Happy Isles Trailhead. Plus, we show you the alternative way back down on the John Muir Trail and suggestions for more Yosemite Valley hikes - like Half Dome!