Is OMG Point the Best View in Yosemite?

I've hiked over a thousand miles in Yosemite. I've stood at Glacier Point at sunset, watched alpenglow crawl across Half Dome from Olmsted Point, and felt the thunder of Nevada Fall from the Mist Trail in May. I've seen this place in every season, every light, every mood. So when someone asks me, "What's the best view in Yosemite?" I usually dodge the question.

But if you corner me? If you really push? I may tell you about OMG Point.

What Is OMG Point?

OMG Point, officially called "Oh My Gosh Point" (though nobody actually calls it that), is a semi-secret viewpoint along the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail. It's not on most maps. There's no sign pointing to it. A lot of hikers walk right past the turnoff without ever knowing it exists. But it's listed in the National Park Service's Yosemite app, and it's referenced on Hiking Project and AllTrails, so let me be clear: this is not an off-trail destination. It's a legitimate spur trail. You're not bushwhacking to get here.

What makes OMG Point special is that it's one of the only places in the entire park where you can see all three tiers of Yosemite Falls at once: Upper Yosemite Fall (1,430 feet), the Middle Cascades (675 feet), and Lower Yosemite Fall (320 feet). That's 2,425 feet of falling water, one of the tallest waterfalls in the world, laid out in front of you from a single vantage point. And off to the side? Half Dome, Glacier Point, Sentinel Rock, and the full sweep of Yosemite Valley stretched out below.

It hits you all at once. That's where the name comes from.

The Trail: Two Hikes in One

The beauty of hiking to OMG Point is that it works as a standalone destination or as a stop on the way to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls. Here are the details for both.

Option 1: Hike to OMG Point (and turn around)

• Trail: Upper Yosemite Falls Trail
• Trailhead: Upper Yosemite Falls Trail - near Camp 4 (Shuttle Stop #7)
• Round-trip distance: ~3 miles
• Elevation gain: ~1,200 feet
• Estimated time: 2 to 3 hours round trip
• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
• Permit required: No

From the trailhead at Camp 4, you'll immediately start climbing switchbacks through shaded oak woodland. The first mile gains about 1,000 feet of elevation across roughly 46 switchbacks. It's relentless, but the shade helps. At the one-mile mark you'll reach Columbia Rock, a granite overlook with sweeping 180-degree views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Sentinel Rock, and Glacier Point. A lot of hikers turn around here. Don't be one of them.

From Columbia Rock, continue up the trail another 0.4 miles. There's a short, steep climb of about 175 feet, and then the trail levels out and even drops a bit. Just as you are approaching a bend in the trail where Upper Yosemite Falls would come into view, look for a small, unmarked spur trail branching off to the right. This is the path to OMG Point. Follow it a short distance to the viewpoint.

Be extremely careful as you descend - this is an unmaintained trail and there is no railing for part of it once you get to the bottom of the steps. As you get to this point the last bit down is partially blocked by bushes. You will know when you are there because there is a railing at this spot.

When you get there, you'll understand the name.

Option 2: Full Hike to the Top of Upper Yosemite Falls

• Trail: Upper Yosemite Falls Trail (historic trail, built 1873 to 1877)
• Trailhead: Upper Yosemite Falls Trail - near Camp 4 (Shuttle Stop #7)
• Round-trip distance: 7.2 miles
• Elevation gain: 2,700 feet
• Estimated time: 6 to 8 hours round trip
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Permit required: No
• Trailhead elevation: ~3,967 feet
• Summit elevation: ~6,526 feet

If you continue past OMG Point, the trail wraps around the canyon wall and gives you a face-to-face encounter with Upper Yosemite Fall. During peak flow (late May through early June), the mist will soak you. You can hear the waterfall before you see it, and when the falls are raging, "thundering" is not an exaggeration. It's one of the most powerful sensory experiences in any national park.

From there, the trail climbs another series of roughly 60 switchbacks up to the rim. The upper half is exposed with little shade, so start early. At the top, you can walk to the overlook and watch Yosemite Creek launch itself over the edge into the void 2,425 feet below. If you still have energy, the spur trail to Yosemite Point adds 1.6 miles round trip and gives you unobstructed views of Half Dome, Lost Arrow Spire, and the Valley from a completely different angle.

When to Go

Peak season: April through June, when snowmelt pushes the falls to full volume. May is typically the sweet spot.

The catch: By August, Yosemite Falls often slows to a trickle. By fall, it can be completely dry. Check the NPS Yosemite Falls webcam before you go. The last thing you want is to grind up 2,700 feet of switchbacks only to find a dry cliff face at the top. Even if the falls are dry, the hike to Columbia Rock and OMG Point is still worth doing for the valley views alone, but you're obviously not getting the full experience.

Time of day: Start as early as you can. By mid-morning in summer, the exposed upper sections become brutally hot. The NPS recommends bringing 4 liters of water per person for the full hike. There is no "potable" water source on the trail. However if you bring a water filter such as BeFree you can filter water at the top of Yosemite Falls or possibly along the way as water may be running over or near the trail.

Pro tip: 11am to 3pm can be the best time to see rainbows in the mist under the Upper Falls and along the Middle and Lower Falls. Later in the day shadows will mute the light in the mist.

Common Mistakes Hikers Make

Not checking waterfall conditions. This is the biggest one. People drive hours to get here, start hiking without checking, and discover at the top that the waterfall dried up two weeks ago. Takes 30 seconds to check the webcam.

Underestimating the descent. The climb up is a grind, but the way down is where injuries happen. Loose, decomposed granite mixed with rocky steps makes for slippery footing, especially on tired legs. Trekking poles make a massive difference on this trail. Your knees will thank you.

Starting too late. The trailhead parking near Camp 4 fills up fast, especially on weekends. If you arrive after 9 AM in summer, you may be circling for a spot or taking the shuttle from Curry Village.

Skipping OMG Point. The spur trail is unmarked and easy to miss, especially if you're heads-down grinding through switchbacks. If you go around the bend and see Upper Yosemite Falls from the main trail, you are just a bit too far. Go back just a bit and look for a stone path going down.

Confusing Lower Yosemite Falls Trail with Upper Yosemite Falls Trail. These are completely different trails. The Lower Falls trail is a flat, paved loop from the parking area. The Upper Falls trail starts at Camp 4. They do not connect. If you're standing on pavement looking at the base of the waterfall, you are not on the right trail.

Insider Tips

The mist zone is real. Around mile 1.5 to 2.0, when the falls are pumping, you'll pass through a section where spray from the waterfall drifts across the trail. In spring, it can fully soak your clothes and gear. On a hot day, it's incredible. On a cool April morning, throw on a rain shell or you'll be shivering for the next two hours.

OMG Point has partial railing. If you're uncomfortable with exposure and no barrier, stay to the left as you descend around the last 20ft of trail to reach OMG Point. There is a very sturdy railing at the viewpoint itself.

Sunset light on Half Dome from OMG Point or Columbia Rock is stunning. Most people hike this trail in the morning. If you're comfortable with a late start and a headlamp descent, the evening light is special. Half Dome glows. Magic time ✨

The best photo of the day might not be at the top. On the upper switchbacks, there's a stretch where you can frame Upper Yosemite Fall with Half Dome behind it. That composition is one of the most iconic shots in Yosemite and most people are too gassed to notice it on the way up. Slow down. Look over your shoulder.

So, Is It the Best View in Yosemite?

There's no single best view in Yosemite. The park is too vast, too layered, too alive for that. Tunnel View will always stop you in your tracks. Glacier Point at sunset will always take your breath away. The view from the top of Half Dome will always make you feel like you've earned something that matters.

But OMG Point does something none of those places do. It gives you the full 2,425-foot cascading waterfall, framed by Half Dome and the Valley, from a viewpoint that most visitors never find. And it does it in a 3-mile round-trip hike that doesn't require a permit, a lottery, or a death-grip on steel cables.

If there's a "best kept secret" view in Yosemite Valley, this might be it. And honestly, the name says it all.

I'm Eric, Owner and Guide of Yosemite Life and a professionally permitted Yosemite guide. I offer private day hikes for individuals and small groups who want to experience trails like this with someone who knows the park inside and out. If you want to see OMG Point for yourself with a guide who's been there dozens of times, I'd love to take you.

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