Yosemite’s top winter attraction is almost here. See photos, video of ‘firefall’
It’s nearly time for one of Yosemite National Park’s most famous — and fleeting — natural spectacles.
For a few weeks in February in California, lucky visitors can catch a glimpse of the “firefall,” a natural phenomenon that occurs when the setting sun lights up Horsetail Fall on El Capitan’s eastern edge in a fiery glow.
“This small waterfall usually flows only during winter and is easy to miss,” the National Park Service said on its website. “On rare occasions during mid- to late February, it can glow orange when it’s backlit by sunset.”
“This unique lighting effect happens only on evenings with a clear sky when the waterfall is flowing,” the agency added. “Even some haze or minor cloudiness can greatly diminish or eliminate the effect.”
Unlike previous human-created firefalls — caused by glowing embers from campfires pushed over the edge of Glacier Point — the Horsetail Fall firefall is “entirely natural,” according to the National Park Service.
The rare spectacle attracts thousands of visitors to the California park each winter.
What are best dates to see Yosemite firefall in 2026?
In 2026, you have the best chance of viewing the Horsetail Fall firefall from Tuesday, Feb. 10, through Thursday, Feb. 26, Yosemite National Park told The Fresno Bee in an email statement.
Catching a glimpse of the firefall could require some detailed planning.
“Because the effect depends on natural conditions — including water flow, clear skies and the angle of the sun — travelers may wish to plan for multiple evenings,” Yosemite National Park said.
Park officials are encouraging visitors to “arrive early, park once and come prepared for winter conditions as staff members work to ensure a safe, enjoyable experience while protecting sensitive natural and cultural resources.”
Safety tips for visiting Yosemite National Park
Although the National Park Service previously required reservations to view the firefall, no reservations are required in 2026, The Fresno Bee previously reported.
“With no reservation system in place, those crowds are expected to be even larger — and that matters for more than just parking and photography,” Friends of Yosemite Search and Rescue said in a Jan. 27 newsletter.
Firefall week is “one of the most challenging operation periods of the winter” for park rangers and search-and-rescue teams because large numbers of people and vehicles create the “conditions for a front–range country emergency surge,” Friends of Yosemite Search and Rescue said.
According to the nonprofit group, issues encountered by rangers and emergency responders include:
- Hypothermia and exposure
- Slips and fractures on icy trails
- People falling into the Merced River
- Medical emergencies
- Lost or separated family members
- Vehicles blocking emergency access.
Gridlock on roads around El Capitan can make an emergency response “take nearly an hour,” Friends of Yosemite Search and Rescue said. “In a cardiac arrest, a severe fall, or a cold-water submersion, that delay can be life-threatening.”
Plus, managing crowds can pull rangers and rescuers away from other areas of the park.
“That means fewer responders are available if something goes wrong on a big wall, ski route or remote trail,” the nonprofit group said.
The National Park Service and Friends of Yosemite Search and Rescue shared these safety tips for winter visitors to the park:
- Arrive early or use bicycles and shuttles.
- Wear warm footwear equipped with traction devices as necessary.
- Wear and bring warm clothes and a headlamp or flashlight for each person.
- Stay out of burned areas and watch for burned snags and branches that could fall unexpectedly.
- Stay off riverbanks and icy areas.
- Follow ranger instructions.
See pictures of Yosemite National Park firefall
Check out these fun, fiery photos and videos of the firefall in Yosemite National Park over the years, courtesy of The Fresno Bee, The Modesto Bee, Merced Sun-Star and other contributors:
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This story was originally published February 6, 2026 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Yosemite’s top winter attraction is almost here. See photos, video of ‘firefall’."
