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 2 hours 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 1 hour ago

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

  1. 1 Sardine Falls Moderate · 36 cfs 53rd percentile
  2. 2 Leavitt Falls Moderate · 36 cfs 53rd percentile
  3. 3 Cascade Falls Moderate · 15 cfs 45th percentile
  4. 4 Jawbone Falls Moderate · 16 cfs 36th percentile
  5. 5 The Cascades Moderate · 31 cfs 34th percentile
  6. 6 Wildcat Falls Moderate · 31 cfs 34th 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

Have your own travel site? Embed these waterfalls for free.

🚗 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

Upper Yosemite Falls waterfall

Upper Yosemite Falls

30.9 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Hard
7.6 miles 2 ft
White Cascade waterfall

White Cascade

20.1 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
11.0 miles 800 ft
Lower Yosemite Fall waterfall

Lower Yosemite Fall

31.2 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Easy
1.0 miles 50 ft
Tuolumne Falls waterfall

Tuolumne Falls

38.3 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
5.2 miles 500 ft
Lehamite Falls waterfall

Lehamite Falls

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

Horsetail Falls

36.2 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
3.0 miles 600 ft
Royal Arch Cascade waterfall

Royal Arch Cascade

20.8 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Sentinel Fall waterfall

Sentinel Fall

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

Leavitt Falls

48.9 miles away
California
Easy
0.4 miles 75 ft
Staircase Falls waterfall

Staircase Falls

12 miles away
In Yosemite National Park
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 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.

🏙️ Other Cities Near Columbia With Waterfalls

Oakdale, CA
23,120 residents
Riverbank, CA
24,803 residents
Garden Acres, CA
10,124 residents
Merced, CA
160,638 residents
Winton, CA
11,986 residents
Stockton, CA
413,637 residents
Atwater, CA
31,841 residents
Lodi, CA
73,239 residents
Salida, CA
14,849 residents
Modesto, CA
354,183 residents
Ripon, CA
16,092 residents
Ceres, CA
49,183 residents

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

Hotels & Lodges Booking.com

Find hotels, lodges, and B&Bs near the trailhead
Cabins & Rentals VRBO

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Glamping Hipcamp

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

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

← → walk · Esc to stop