Waterfall Hikes Near Columbia, CA

2,439 residents
Los Angeles Time Zone
30 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Looking for the best waterfalls to hike near Columbia? There are 30 waterfall hiking trails within a 50-mile radius of Columbia. These trails range from easy to moderate difficulty, providing options for both casual hikers and experienced adventurers looking to explore the region's natural beauty.

Located at 38.0333°N, -120.4096°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Columbia

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

29 of 30 gauged

29 waterfalls near Columbia have live flow data today

Bridalveil Fall Moderate Chinquapin Falls Moderate Foresta Falls Moderate Little Nellie Falls Moderate Ribbon Fall Moderate Silver Strand Falls Moderate Wildcat Falls Moderate The Cascades Moderate California Falls Barely Flowing Le Conte Falls Barely Flowing Rancheria Falls Barely Flowing White Cascade Barely Flowing Waterwheel Falls Barely Flowing Tuolumne Falls Barely Flowing Cascade Falls Moderate Horsetail Falls Barely Flowing Jawbone Falls Moderate Leavitt Falls Moderate Sardine Falls Moderate Lehamite Falls Moderate Lower Yosemite Fall Moderate Royal Arch Cascade Moderate Sentinel Fall Moderate Yosemite Falls Moderate Upper Yosemite Falls Moderate Staircase Falls Moderate Preston Falls Barely Flowing Wapama Falls Barely Flowing Tueeulala Falls Barely Flowing

Updated about 1 hour ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Today

Sunny · 73°F

Tod 73°F Sunny Best
Sat 77°F Sunny
Sun 75°F Sunny
Lab 81°F Sunny
Tue 84°F Sunny
Wed 83°F Chance Light Rain
Thu 84°F Chance Light Rain

Flowing best right now near Columbia

Updated about 2 hours ago

Ranked by live stream-gauge flow versus each waterfall's seasonal normal.

  1. 1 Sardine Falls Moderate · 36 cfs 52nd percentile
  2. 2 Leavitt Falls Moderate · 36 cfs 52nd percentile
  3. 3 Cascade Falls Moderate · 15 cfs 45th percentile
  4. 4 The Cascades Moderate · 31 cfs 35th percentile
  5. 5 Wildcat Falls Moderate · 31 cfs 35th percentile
  6. 6 Silver Strand Falls Moderate · 31 cfs 35th percentile

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Columbia hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Find waterfalls to hike near Columbia

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Columbia (8 waterfalls)

Easy access waterfalls are drive-up or short-walk friendly. Perfect for families, casual visitors, or anyone who loves waterfalls but is "so-so" about hiking.

Rancheria Falls waterfall

Rancheria Falls

24.7 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Easy
2.0 miles 200 ft

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Columbia (9 waterfalls)

Bring your four-legged friend along! These waterfalls welcome dogs on their trails.

Preston Falls waterfall

Preston Falls

17.7 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
8.0 miles 800 ft
Little Nellie Falls waterfall

Little Nellie Falls

24.7 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

All 30 Waterfalls Near Columbia

Jawbone Falls

27.5 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Preston Falls waterfall

Preston Falls

17.7 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
8.0 miles 800 ft
Tueeulala Falls waterfall

Tueeulala Falls

22.5 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
5.0 miles 200 ft
Wapama Falls waterfall

Wapama Falls

22.9 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
4.0 miles 350 ft
Rancheria Falls waterfall

Rancheria Falls

24.7 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Easy
2.0 miles 200 ft
Little Nellie Falls waterfall

Little Nellie Falls

24.7 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Foresta Falls waterfall

Foresta Falls

27.1 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Easy
1.2 miles 200 ft
Cascade Falls waterfall

Cascade Falls

40 miles away
California
Easy
1.4 miles 200 ft
Wildcat Falls waterfall

Wildcat Falls

27.4 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
The Cascades waterfall

The Cascades

27.4 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Easy
1.4 miles 200 ft
Bassi Falls waterfall

Bassi Falls

45.8 miles away
California
Easy
1.2 miles 200 ft
Waterwheel Falls waterfall

Waterwheel Falls

41.3 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Hard
18.0 miles 2 ft
Chinquapin Falls waterfall

Chinquapin Falls

44.8 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Le Conte Falls waterfall

Le Conte Falls

41.7 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
California Falls waterfall

California Falls

21.3 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Hard
15.0 miles 2 ft
Ribbon Fall waterfall

Ribbon Fall

29.7 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Sardine Falls waterfall

Sardine Falls

46.9 miles away
California
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Silver Strand Falls waterfall

Silver Strand Falls

30.4 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Bridalveil Fall waterfall

Bridalveil Fall

30.7 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Easy
0.5 miles 80 ft
Yosemite Falls waterfall

Yosemite Falls

12.2 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Hard
7.2 miles 2,700 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Columbia

Are there free waterfalls near Columbia?

There are 10 free waterfalls near Columbia, including Bassi Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Columbia?

There are 8 easy waterfall hikes near Columbia, including Bassi Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Columbia?

There are 9 dog-friendly waterfalls near Columbia, including Bassi Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Columbia?

There are 23 kid-friendly waterfalls near Columbia, including Bassi Falls.

Can you swim in any waterfalls near Columbia?

There is 1 waterfall that allows swimming near Columbia, including Bassi Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Columbia?

The shortest waterfall hike near Columbia is Bassi Falls at 0.4 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Columbia?

The tallest waterfall near Columbia is Yosemite Falls at 2,425 feet.

Do any waterfalls near Columbia require permits?

Yes, 6 waterfalls near Columbia require a permit. Check individual trail pages for current permit details.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Columbia?

Yes, 30 waterfalls near Columbia have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Columbia?

The closest waterfall to Columbia is Jawbone Falls, approximately 19.7 miles away.

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Nearby Hot Springs

Hot springs near Columbia, California

Valley Springs

Valley Springs

25.4 mi 75°F

Valley Springs flows at 75 degrees just 21 feet from the road in Calaveras County, delivering readily accessible warmth in Cali...
Grovers Hot Springs

Grovers Hot Springs

56.4 mi 147°F

Grovers Hot Springs emerges at a powerful 147 degrees Fahrenheit in Toiyabe National Forest, displaying a remarkable 100-degree...

Grover Hot Springs State Park

56.8 mi

Grover Hot Springs State Park operates a developed pool complex fed by natural thermal waters at 5,921 feet elevation in Dougla...

Unnamed Spring Lyon County

67.3 mi

This unnamed warm spring emerges in Lyon County, Nevada near Smith Valley at 5,019 feet elevation, sitting virtually roadside j...

Salt Grass Springs

67.4 mi 73°F

Salt Grass Springs emerges at 73°F in the rolling foothills of Stanislaus County near Patterson, providing modest thermal warmt...

Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Columbia, California on SoakingSprings.

Explore California springs

Where to Stay

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Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
RV Rentals Outdoorsy

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