Yosemite Spring '23 - Waterfalls + Wildflowers

Yosemite Wildflowers, Waterfalls, and Wildlife are Calling This Spring

An extraordinary winter promises an exceptional spring in Yosemite Mariposa County this year. Familiar waterfalls will gush like few visitors have ever seen, and seasonal cascades will remain active for longer this year. Wildflowers will flow in their way, too, with colorful carpets unfurling from Yosemite Valley to the banks of the Merced River. With vehicle restrictions gone and sunny days ahead, spring and summer in Yosemite-Mariposa County will offer bountiful beauty for every visitor to behold.

Where to Stay

Tenaya Lodge

The redwoods In Yosemite

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"My favorite flower is the California poppy. I love seeing the mountainside of the canyon dotted with this vibrant flower."

Gerald Fischer

"I’m excited to take some waterfall trails. I’ll go to the top of El Capitan to see Ribbon Fall, the longest single-drop waterfall in North America."

Doug Shaw

"Grab your hiking boots, pack your camera, and prepare to be amazed by the beauty of this natural wonderland."

Yuli Gotsev

Come Experience Spring at Yosemite

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Mariposa County

“This coming spring is going to be the most exciting in my lifetime!” says Gerald Fischer, who has served as managing partner of Yosemite Resorts for almost 50 years. “The incredible amounts of snow and rain will provide us with spectacular waterfalls, and the areas that experienced fires in the past few years will come alive again with a profusion of wildflowers, offering incredible views.” Like Fischer, who is excited to return to familiar trails with his camera, and 3-year-old grandson, in hand, Doug Shaw can’t wait to explore his favorite hikes. “I’m excited to take some waterfall trails,” says Shaw, the owner of Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort. “There’s a hike to Chilunalna Falls where you don’t see the water until you’re above them. I’ll also go to the top of El Capitan to see Ribbon Fall, the longest single-drop waterfall in North America. The zig-zagging Cascade Falls will also be spectacular.” Shaw also anticipates an epic wildflower season, beginning with the “snow plants,” beautiful red spires that push their way through the snow or appear along the snowfield’s edge on Sentinel Dome and elsewhere. He also expects the nine-mile Hite Cove Trail to burst with floral fireworks along the South Fork of the Merced River. “Hite Cove is a historical trail that once led to a goldmine,” he says. “We’ll have so many waves of flowers this spring you can follow them right out of the valley until mid-June.” Yuli Gotsev, marketing manager for the Redwoods in Yosemite, is excited to see the purple lupines return as they replace early-blooming California poppies. Though the lupines are easily seen along the roads in Wawona, he suggests taking a closer look at the mosaic of wildflowers inhabiting the Wawona Meadow Loop, too.

Photo by Charles Phillips

“This colorful phenomenon will be a sight to behold,” Gotsev says when asked about the presumed “super bloom” that may appear throughout Mariposa County. “You just have to see it for yourself!” Gotsev hunts annually for the butterfly Mariposa lily. The late-spring bloomer is his favorite in the area. As the name suggests, the cup-shaped lily is also a favorite of butterflies. “Grab your hiking boots, pack your camera, and prepare to be amazed by the beauty of this natural wonderland,” he says. Shaw is excited for the arrival of shooting stars, a flower he loves because it looks just like its name suggests, a star shooting from a green stem instead of the sky. “They are easily identified and beautiful,” he says. “The name is fantastic anyway, which I think is cool.” The owner of the Bug for 25 years, Shaw says there are trails for every type of visitor, from dog owners to young families. He recommends the 18-mile Merced River Trail for dogs. The 13-mile Valley Loop Trail can be accessed from many locations, making it ideal for children and older individuals. “What makes this such a great hike is, you are edging forests and meadows like Cook’s Meadow,” he says. “This provides a great window into birdlife, flowers, and other natural beauty from a very accessible location.”

Photo by Chris Migeon

Making new memories or visiting familiar favorites has always formed a key component of visits to Yosemite-Mariposa County, experiences shared by longtime residents like Fischer. “My favorite flower is the California poppy,” he says. “I love seeing the mountainside of the canyon dotted with this vibrant flower. A close second for me is the redbud. My grandmother loved the bright pink flowers and, when she was staying in Yosemite, she had to have some in her room. They remind me of her.” Like his colleagues, Fischer notes that Yosemite is spectacular four seasons a year “as nature reminds you who is in control.” He adds: “This spring, we will see what nature can deliver with a spectacular display of waterfalls, the rushing Merced River, and blooming wildflowers. This spring should be a perfect alternative in a world that sometimes seems to have been paved over to make way for our version of progress.”

Few places on Earth cast indelible impressions to equal the granite majesty, spectacular cascades, and cornucopia of nature as we find in Yosemite. Fischer says he’ll never forget the view of Bridalveil Falls when he and his wife first visited Yosemite almost five decades ago. This spring, Yosemite is open for new and returning visitors to create their own images of nature at its most spectacular. Visit the Yosemite-Mariposa County website to plan your trip into this vernal paradise.

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“The Bug” sits beside a stream in a forested black oak grove. Located 26 miles from Yosemite Valley, the resort’s June Bug Café and Yosemite Health Spa provide perfect complements to time spent hiking among the spring wildflowers and gawking at waterfalls. The laidback Bug is perfect for families and friend groups.

Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort

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Yosemite Hospitality takes care of all your visit needs from accommodations at the Wawona Hotel, Yosemite Valley Lodge and elsewhere to lift tickets at Badger Pass Ski Area. You’ll also find one stop dining information and reservations at a variety of restaurants, as well as an array of tours like “Discover Yosemite,” “Curry Village Ice Skating” among dozens of other adventures.

Yosemite hospitality