Waterwheel Falls, Waterfall on the Tuolumne River in Yosemite National Park, California, United States

Waterwheel Falls is a waterfall in Yosemite National Park that drops in multiple tiers as it follows the Tuolumne River. The water hits natural rock formations and splits into separate streams at various points along its descent.

The Hetch Hetchy Valley, where this falls is located, was an important area for Native American tribes who lived and thrived there. Later, infrastructure projects transformed the region and its relationship with water.

The name comes from the cyclic "waterwheel" effect: wind lifts spray from the first and largest ledge and blows it back into the falls above. Visitors come in the high-water season of early summer, when the Tuolumne carries enough volume for the phenomenon to appear.

Reaching this site requires a challenging hike where you will need sturdy gear and good physical fitness. The best time to visit is during warmer months when trails are easier to navigate and weather conditions are more favorable.

When water levels are high in early summer, streams hit natural grooves in the rock and shoot upward in spinning motions. This unusual movement makes it appear as though the water itself is rotating like a wheel.