Complete Firefall Visitors Guide - Yosemite National Park (2024 Update)
This week we are in Yosemite National Park to witness the natural Firefall, a special event that only happens a few days every year. Join me below in this Yosemite Firefall Visitors Guide, exploring the history behind this phenomenon and learning what to expect if you’re planning a trip to the park during February.
**Although this post was first published in 2021, it has been updated to reflect the new park guidelines in place for the 2024 Firefall Season.**
Keep in mind Park Rangers and officials do not refer to the annual Horsetail Fall event as Firefall. All of the park’s messaging officially refers to it as the “Horsetail Fall Event” or the “Horsetail Fall Phenomenon.” Yosemite National Park officially saves the word “Firefall” specifically for the historic event which occurred from approximately 1872 to 1968, where embers from a bonfire were pushed over Glacier Point nightly – Yosemite’s true and original “Firefall.”
Horsetail Fall Firefall in Yosemite National Park
Leading up to Firefall on the side of El Capitan
Historic Firefall
Yosemite’s first popular Firefall originated at Glacier Point, not the current Horsetail Fall location. In the 1870s, the owner of the long gone Glacier Point Mountain House Hotel, James McCauley, set nightly campfires at the edge of Glacier Point. At the end on the evening he would kick the burning embers over the edge of the 3,200 foot cliff, which created a flaming “fire fall” for those in the valley below to view. The spectacle quickly gained popularity, and it continued until 1968 when the National Park Service made the decision to permanently put an end to the unnatural fire show for multiple reasons (including the danger of having flaming embers pouring down to the very flammable valley below). Before the fire falls came to an end, it made an appearance in the 1954 movie The Caine Mutiny, and in the 1960s President Kennedy visited the Valley and watched the fire show.
Firefall in Yosemite National Park
Present Day Firefall
In the early 1970s, adventure photojournalist and wilderness photographer Galen Rowell is credited with taking the first known photo of the Horsetail Fall natural Firefall. This phenomenon happens when the sunset light reflects off Horsetail Fall at a specific angle, creating vibrant orange and red hues that make it appear like the granite is on fire. Rowell’s photo led to the beginning of Yosemite’s modern Firefall, which has become even more popular than the original with thousands of nature lovers and photographers flocking here every February.
Waiting in the El Capitan Picnic Area hours before Firefall
Visiting
This natural phenomenon appears for only a couple weeks every mid-to-late February, and even then there’s no guarantee it will happen…temperature, precipitation and sunlight all have to line up just right within a specific 10 to 20 minute time frame. But if you’re up for a winter adventure, you can plan a Firefall adventure by first checking the Yosemite NPS website for up-to-date specifics about visiting. Keep in mind the NPS closes off several areas in the valley to protect the natural habitat from being trampled.
Continue reading below for specifics on the 2024 season!
Walking along Northside Drive towards El Capitan Picnic Area
Firefall captured from official viewing area near El Capitan Picnic Area
2024 Firefall Season
This year you can park in the Yosemite Falls parking lot near the Yosemite Valley Lodge. If this lot is full by the time you arrive, you can park at the Curry Village or Yosemite Village parking lots and jump on the free shuttle that’ll take you to the Yosemite Falls parking lot. Then hike west for a mile and a half along Northside Drive to reach the designated viewing spots by the El Capitan Picnic Area. Many photographers consider arriving several hours early to snag an ideal spot...and then it’s an afternoon waiting game of keeping warm and hoping the conditions line up just right to enjoy the evening light show.
Park Rangers are restricting access to certain areas in the valley, as well as parking spots, to help manage crowds and protect Yosemite Valley’s fragile ecosystem. If you do plan on hiking one of Yosemite’s beautiful trails to view the Firefall, please note that pedestrians (and stopping/parking vehicles) will be prohibited between El Capitan Drive to the Swinging Bridge Picnic Area on Southside Drive (see NPS Firefall map below). Please watch for and respect all posted signs as you explore. The banks along the Merced River will also be off-limits in between the Cathedral Beach and the Sentinel Beach Picnic Areas.
Attention: Please note that there is a reservation system in place for the 2024 Firefall Season...check out the Know Before You Go section below for more information.
Map courtesy of National Park Service
Firefall from Four Mile Trail in Yosemite National Park
Firefall from Four Mile Trail
In recent years, some photographers have been climbing up the Four Mile Trail to capture the Horsetail Fall Firefall phenomenon from across the Yosemite Valley. The angles and views from here can be quite stunning, however this is not an official viewing area. It is unclear whether the NPS will allow park visitors to access this hiking trail, especially considering all foot traffic along Southside Drive near the trailhead is prohibited this year. Please use caution, do not violate any posted NPS signs, and follow all the Leave No Trace Principles if you decide to view Firefall from anywhere other than the official viewpoint along Northside Drive.
Firefall from Four Mile Trail at Yosemite National Park
Know Before You Go
• Please remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints. Pack out everything you pack in and stay on the designated paths. If you’re not familiar with the Leave No Trace Principles consider familiarizing yourself with them before your trip.
• Every year specific guidelines are put into place for the Firefall season to help protect the public as well as the beautiful Yosemite environment…so please visit the Yosemite NPS website before your trip to make sure you have all the proper up to date information.
• 2024 Firefall season requires pre-purchased Yosemite National Park entrance reservations at Recreation.gov (or in-park lodging) for the following weekend dates: February 10–11, February 17–19, and February 24–25. Reservations are not required if you plan to arrive on a Monday through Friday during this time (with the exception of Presidents Day, Monday 2/19)...just make sure to keep your receipt of entrance, which is good for 7 consecutive days from first arrival. Visit the official Yosemite NPS website for more information.
• Consider grabbing a parking spot early as the valley fills up with cars quickly during Firefall (especially on the weekends.)
• Plan ahead wisely. Bring layers to help stay warm, snacks, and extra water…as well as a headlamp or high power flash light for walking back to you vehicle the dark. I also recommend bringing a compact comfy chair (like this one) for relaxing all afternoon.
• Specifically for photographers – make sure to bring a good tripod (like this one) and a good zoom lens (200 mm at least) if you’re shooting from across the valley.
• My personal favorite angle to view the Firefall isn’t from straight on, but rather with a slight profile to capture the the fire-like mist line at dusk (you can compare the straight on view vs profile below).
Top 10 Yosemite Valley Winter Attractions
Yosemite Valley Chapel
Sentinel Bridge
Curry Village Ice Rink
Bridalveil Fall
Firefall (Firewall) seen more straight on
Firefall seen from an angle
In Summary
Thank you so much for joining me in Yosemite Valley for Firefall. For a fun video overview of my 2021 experience, enjoy my Behind the Blog video at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next week I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Firefall in Yosemite National Park along Four Mile Trail
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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