Every year, hundreds prepare and gather in Yosemite Valley in February, in hopes of witnessing one of the world’s most amazing natural phenomena, the sunlit Horsetail Fall, also known as the natural ‘Firefall.’ The stunning visual phenomenon occurs when Horsetail Fall, an ephemeral (seasonal) waterfall that flows after snow melt or heavy rainfall on the west side of El Capitan, pairs with a cloudless sky and bright orange sun setting in just the right position. When all those factors combine, it causes the waterfall to light up and transform into what looks like molten lava pouring down the massive rock for a solid 10-12 minutes. There is roughly a two-week window each year when everything aligns to produce the natural ‘firefall’. In 2026, the peak dates are estimated to be between February 10 and 26, just in time for a Valentine’s Day getaway.(How romantic!)

Important Note for 2026: NPS will not require separate entrance reservations for the Natural Firefall at Horsetail Falls in 2026. However, visitors should be prepared for extra traffic controls in Yosemite Valley during this time, and parking will be in high demand. Find more details on the traffic and parking regulations for the Horsetail Fall/Natural Firefall viewing season on the NPS website.

What makes for perfect conditions?

  1. Lots of snowfall and rain, and warm temperatures, which means lots of snow melt and water flow!
  2. The sun needs to be in the right spot. This happens roughly from February 10 – 26, 2026.
  3. Clear skies! Clouds or fog may block the sun from transforming the water into what seems like red-hot lava.
  4. Check the weather conditions before you travel! There will be designated viewing areas and parking. 

Don’t be discouraged if the conditions do not turn out perfectly. You are still spending time in one of the world’s best national parks! And there is plenty to do in Yosemite in February beyond visiting Horsetail Fall at sunset.

When preparing, be sure to bring very warm clothes and extra batteries or chargers for your camera equipment. Speaking of equipment, the conditions are low light, so DSLR cameras with tripods take the best (non-blurry) pictures – though just sitting down to enjoy the spectacle is reward enough for the effort. You may also want to consider bringing a chair, snacks, and water. It will be chilly, so dress warm!

We wish you a fire-y experience!

Are you looking for a Yosemite rental cabin near the action?

Enjoy a crackling fireplace in one of our stunning Redwoods In Yosemite cabins located in historic Wawona, at the Southern entrance of Yosemite. Relaxing and private, these fully equipped vacation cabins border the wild and scenic South Fork of the Merced River, the Wawona swinging bridge, and Chilnualna Falls (the second highest vertical drop waterfall in Yosemite)! Plus, with a Redwoods In Yosemite cabin rental inside the park, you are inside the park gates. That’s one less thing to worry about as you plan to enjoy the sights and sounds of Yosemite’s natural “Firefall” at Horsetail Fall. Many of our cabins are pet-friendly. Some homes feature spa tubs, and all have private decks with BBQs and upgraded linens for that “Home Away from Home” experience.

Bringing a group? Our Event Center includes full use of the Fireside Room and adjacent deck, with audio and visual equipment and a catering kitchen.

Relax, explore, and escape in Yosemite!

 

video credit: Yosemite National Park
text credit: Christina P. Kantzavelos and Theresa Ho