Horsetail Fall

Overview

Horsetail Fall is a high, thin, seasonal waterfall on the east side of El Capitan that becomes a phenomenon in mid–late February. For a brief 5–15 minutes before sunset, the setting sun can light the water orange-red—the famed “firefall.” It’s magical when it happens, and a total non-event when it doesn’t.

What makes it glow

Three things must line up: the sun’s mid–late February angle, clear western skies at sunset, and water flowing (snow on the rim plus daytime melt). Miss any one of these and there’s no firefall.

Best time to visit

• Prime window: mid–late February; the glow, if it happens, is right before sunset.
• Weekdays are saner; peak weekends can be a zoo.
• For 2025, day-use reservations are required to drive into the park on Feb 8–9, 15–17, and 22–23. The park actively manages the event from roughly Feb 8–23.
• Arrive early (late morning to early afternoon) to secure parking and a decent vantage.

How to see it (parking, access, closures)

• Park at Yosemite Falls Parking (just west of Yosemite Valley Lodge). From there, it’s about a 1.5-mile walk each way to the viewing area near El Capitan Picnic Area.
• If Yosemite Falls Parking is full, park at Yosemite Village or Curry Village and use the free shuttle; an express shuttle often runs between Yosemite Village and the Lodge/parking during the event window.
• Expect event-specific restrictions: no parking/stopping/unloading along key stretches of Northside and Southside Drives; a lane of Northside Drive is set aside for pedestrians; brief road closures can occur right after sunset to clear the corridor.

Facilities on site

Vault toilets plus trash and recycling dumpsters are available at El Capitan Picnic Area near the main viewing zone.

What to bring

It’s winter and you’ll be standing still for hours, then walking back in the dark:

• Warm layers, hat, gloves, insulated footwear with traction
• Headlamp or flashlight (red light is considerate)
• Food and water; a small camp chair or pad helps
• Photo kit: sturdy tripod, remote release, and a telephoto lens (200mm+ is common)

Reality check and etiquette

Crowds can swell into the thousands near peak dates, and traffic crawls after sunset. The effect is never guaranteed—clouds or low flow can shut it down. Stay in designated areas, keep off meadows and riverbanks, respect fencing and closures, and pack out everything. Patience and good trail manners make the experience better for everyone.