Perfect Yosemite Itinerary: How to Visit Hetch Hetchy

If you’re looking for a great place in Yosemite National Park off the beaten path, a visit to Hetch Hetchy is just what you need. Day 4 on your Yosemite itinerary includes a breathtaking morning hike around the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir to Wapama Falls. This short and easy hike is a great way to end a 4-day visit to Yosemite National Park.

Finally, head to the San Francisco Bay area and prepare for a day in wine country following your day at Hetch Hetchy. Not spending 4 days in Yosemite? No problem! 1, 2, or 3 days are fine! Other posts in our 4-day Yosemite itinerary are below:

• Day 1: Hike the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail to Yosemite Point.
• Day 2: Visit Tuolumne Meadows and hike to Upper and Lower Cathedral Lake.
• Day 3: Get soaked on the Vernal and Nevada Falls Loop along the Mist Trail.
• Day 4: Explore the amazing Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and hike to Wapama Falls.

Need to Know Info – Yosemite Entry 2026

• Visit our gear page to purchase your America the Beautiful Pass online at REI’s website. In some cases, you can purchase an annual pass at the entrance of some parks.
• Yosemite National Park will NOT use timed entry or reservations in 2026.
• Arrive as early as possible at Yosemite National Park and consider visiting on weekdays for less congestion and crowds.
• There is no shuttle service or public transportation to Hetch Hetchy.

Safety and Weather in Yosemite National Park

• Cell phone coverage at Hetch Hetchy can be somewhat spotty.
• Are you a mosquito magnet? Get our favorite bug spray here!
• Water: It’s recommended to carry at least 1 liter of water for every 5 miles you are hiking. Why carry a plastic or large water bottle when you could carry a water bladder?
• Food & Gas: There are NO food or gas services near Hetch Hetchy. Here is where you can find gas:
  • El Portal Market (west of the valley), 9 am – 7 pm
  • Crane Flat Gas Station (north of the valley), open Year-round: 24 Hr Pay-at-Pump
• Restrooms: There are restrooms located near O’Shaughnessy Dam at Hetch Hetchy. As you arrive at the damn, they are located before you reach the damn on the right side near the buildings.
• Weather can vary depending on your location in the park. The summer months near Hetch Hetchy are hot and sunny. Yosemite National Park ranges from 2,000 feet to 13,000 feet in elevation. Lower elevations will be hot in the summer months, but cooler in the higher elevation areas. The rainy season is from October to May, and the park is often covered with snow from November through May.
• Be aware of forest fires: fire and smoke may be present in the park at any time.
• Poison oak will be present. Here is what it looks like, so you don’t touch it!

Animal Safety in Yosemite National Park

• Yosemite National Park has a diverse range of animals living in the park. Deer, black bears, big horn sheep, mountain lions, and foxes are just a few of the mammals you might see. There are also frogs, lizards, turtles, and snakes, including the one venomous Northern Pacific rattlesnake. That being said, it’s unlikely you’ll encounter one.
  • Review the steps to take if you encounter a black bear or mountain lion along the trail. That being said, it’s unlikely that you will encounter an aggressive animal, but always be prepared.
• Please do not leave food in your car! By storing your food properly, you can prevent a bear’s unnecessary death. Failure to store your food correctly could result in a $5,000 fine and/or the impoundment of your car. Learn more about what to do.

👉🏽 Looking for a fun tour or other things to do in Yosemite National Park? Check out the options from Viator!

Map

The map above gives an overview of what to expect when visiting Hetch Hetchy

Hetch Hetchy

Hetch Hetchy is a nice, peaceful location hidden in the northwest corner of Yosemite National Park. Some have said that Hetch Hetchy rivals the beauty of the Yosemite Valley, and we definitely agree! To begin the last adventure on your Yosemite itinerary, head to the Hetch Hetchy entrance and travel down into the valley to reach the reservoir.

This is a very remote area of Yosemite National Park, so plan accordingly. As you arrive, you will reach the restrooms and a small parking lot. From here, continue on the road toward the dam to find a larger parking lot. If this is full, circle back and park in the designated overflow parking along the road. At peak times, this area may be very busy.

O’Shaughnessy Dam and Hetchy Tunnel

The hike to Wapama Falls starts along the O’Shaughnessy Dam. Cross the dam and learn about the history of this location as you hike. The reservoir here provides drinking water to over 2 million people in the San Francisco Bay Area!

It’s been said that this area would probably look a lot like the Yosemite Valley if it were not dammed. I don’t see a dam removal in the future, but what if that did happen?!

Next, head through the tunnel and make your way along the trail. Be advised that in the summer months, this trail will be hot! With little to no shade, be sure to take plenty of water. As you hike, be on the lookout for rattlesnakes and black bears along the trail.

Hike to Wapama Falls – 5 miles – easy, out and back, 460+ ft. gain

Firstly, as you exit the tunnel, there is a slight incline where most of the elevation gain on this trail occurs. As soon as you complete this section, the trail flattens out for the most part as it follows the edge of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Eventually, the trail curves through little gardens and pockets of wildflowers as you continue your trek to Wapama Falls.

At about 2 miles in, you will reach the seasonal Tueeulala Falls. During the spring months, this seasonal waterfall will be flowing, but it’s usually totally dry by summer.

Wapama Falls

As you near the end of your journey along the trail, anticipation builds for the grand spectacle that awaits: Wapama Falls! Picture the water cascading with immense power, a descent of nearly 1,100 feet. It roars over a cliff, plummeting 300 feet at the top, then crashes through a steep gorge for another 600 feet, finally spilling into the shimmering Hetch Hetchy reservoir below.

Enjoy your surroundings as the thunderous roar of the falls fills the air, and the misty spray cools you down. The mist is super refreshing on a hot summer day! It’s just what you need to cool down before hiking back.

Lastly, your adventure ends at the Wapama Falls footbridge. However, be mindful that during the early spring, the bridge can sometimes be engulfed by torrents of rushing water. If the river surges high and swiftly, crossing the bridge might become perilous, so be sure to approach with caution and respect nature’s power.

Interestingly, the bridge was replaced in December 2024 to make the area safer for viewing!

Return to Your Car

Finally, following your nice break and amazing views, it’s time to head back to your car! From here, hike back the way you came and take in all the views from a different perspective. Your hike to thundering Wapama Falls is complete!

Drive to the San Francisco Bay Area

That’s it! Your epic Yosemite itinerary is complete! To continue your journey on our epic road trip, drive to the San Francisco Bay Area and get ready to explore California Wine Country and the amazing coastal scenery that this area offers.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the final day of our 4-day Yosemite itinerary was a great way to spend the morning before a long drive to the San Francisco Bay Area. We got to Hetch Hetchy as early as we could and had no issue finding a parking spot.

However, as I’m sure you can guess, parking was full when we returned to the car. We enjoyed this nice easy hike to an amazing waterfall. Lucky for us, the bridge was clear of water, but in all honesty, we were hoping to see it really raging! We hope you enjoyed your 4 days at Yosemite National Park as much as we did. It’s truly an amazing place!