With the high country closed for the season, winter is the right time to start planning one of Yosemite’s most photographed moments: the “firefall” on Horsetail Fall. For a couple of weeks each February, a thin waterfall on the east side of El Capitan can light up orange and red at sunset, as if it were on fire.
When the glow happens
The National Park Service says Horsetail Fall glows during mid- to late February, at sunset, and only on clear evenings when the waterfall is flowing. Haze or even minor cloud can greatly weaken the effect or wipe it out. For 2026, the projected viewing period was February 10–26, depending on natural conditions.
Dates for 2027 had not been announced when this post was published, so treat the 2026 window as a guide and check the park’s Horsetail Fall page before you book anything.
How 2026 worked
The park did not require a reservation to visit Yosemite or the Horsetail Fall area during the 2026 viewing period. The rules were built around crowd control on Northside Drive:
- Park at Yosemite Falls parking, just west of Yosemite Valley Lodge, and walk about 1.5 miles each way to the viewing area near El Capitan Picnic Area.
- If that lot is full, park at Yosemite Village or Curry Village and take the free shuttle to Yosemite Falls parking.
- No parking, stopping or unloading on Northside Drive between Lower Yosemite Fall and El Capitan Crossover.
- One lane of Northside Drive was closed to vehicles for people on foot. On busy weekends, the road could close completely for about half an hour right after sunset.
- Vault toilets were available at El Capitan Picnic Area.
What to bring
The park advises warm clothes, a headlamp or flashlight, and traction devices for your boots, since snow and ice are likely. Plan on walking back after dark. A thermos of something hot makes the wait at the viewing area much more pleasant.
Plan ahead now
February is a popular month, so lodging in and near the park is the first thing to sort out. Because the glow depends on clear skies and flowing water, build a few extra days into your trip rather than betting on one evening. Check the park’s news releases in January for the official viewing dates and any rules for the year.
Driving in? Our guide to driving to Yosemite in late fall covers chains and closures, and it applies to winter trips too. If you want more to do while you wait for sunset, see our picks for the best Yosemite Valley hikes when the high country closes.
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