California’s Most Spectacular and Famous ‘Fiery Waterfall’ Returns

Yosemite National Park is preparing for one of its most awaited annual natural spectacles, the Horsetail Fall ‘Firefall’ viewing period, from February 10 to 26, 2026, the park announced in a social media post.  

During this brief period, the setting sun can illuminate the Horsetail Fall on the eastern edge of the El Capitan with a fiery glow. The small waterfall is easy to miss and typically flows only in winter. 

On rare occasions, usually between mid- to late February, the fall glows orange when it is backlit by the setting sun. The phenomenon occurs only on evenings with a clear sky when the waterfall is flowing, the park said.

Even haze or minor cloud cover can significantly reduce or eliminate the effect.

While the phenomenon is entirely natural, the lighting is reminiscent of the human-caused Firefall that historically occurred from Glacier Point. 

This year, reservations are not required for the viewing, the park said. Visitors can park their vehicles in eastern Yosemite Valley and walk to designated viewing zones using a temporary pedestrian lane on Northside Drive. 

Yosemite National Park encouraged visitors to plan for several evenings since the phenomenon depends on natural conditions, including water flow, angle of the sun, and clear skies. 

Visitors should reach the park early, park once, and expect winter conditions. 

If the parking is full, vehicles can be parked at Yosemite Village or Curry Village. Visitors can avail the free shuttle to reach Yosemite Falls parking/Yosemite Valley Lodge. 

The unique lighting effect was not widely known and visitation to the park to witness the event has increased only recently, the park said. 

More than 2,400 visitors gathered on February 19, 2022, to view the fall in areas lacking adequate parking and other facilities. Earlier, there have been instances of visitors spilling onto the riverbanks, increasing erosion and trampling vegetation. 

When the riverbanks filled, visitors moved into the Merced River, walking over delicate vegetation and exposing themselves to unsafe conditions. The areas were littered with trash and the lack of restrooms made it worse. 

Safety Measures

• Ensure you have adequate warm clothes and are carrying a headlamp or flashlight for each person. 
• Expect icy and snowy conditions. Visitors should wear warm footwear and carry traction devices for boots. 
• Avoid burned areas and watch out for burned snags and branches, which may fall unexpectedly. 
• Do not venture into the meadows as they support various plant and animal species and are easily disturbed. 
• Stay on trails. When required to off trail (at a viewing area), stay in zones under forest that have little ground vegetation. 
• Do not go into fenced areas as they contain fragile native ecosystems.
• Only use the vault toilets at the El Capitan picnic area. 
• Use trash and recycling bins at the El Capitan picnic area or pack out all your trash.