The sight of a ribbon of “fire” off a cliffside is something you would imagine seeing in a Lord of the Rings film. And as such, the “legend” of the annual formation of the Horsetail Fall as Yosemite’s natural Firefall has become a global phenomenon. With that being said, here’s the scoop on Horsetail Fall.

Like many natural phenomena, everything needs to align for it to become a reality. First, the setting sun must be at the right angle which happens to be around the second week of February. Second, the snowpack needs to be deep enough to generate enough water flow over El Capitan. Third, the sky needs to be crystal clear. We’re talking not a single cloud or haze even near the horizon. And if everything aligns for that perfect moment, it lasts for only a few, fleeting minutes.

Horsetail Fall all aglow as the last rays of the setting sun light it up.  
Photo by Darvin Atkeson.

With such a short time window and many elements intersecting, it’s a tough sight to see. The popularity of this event has skyrocketed in recent years, growing from a few keen observers to thousands of spectators each year. If you plan to visit this attraction, be aware that this popular event requires careful planning and, depending on the conditions, may not be seen.

Visitors are strongly encouraged to sign up for real-time park updates by texting “Yosemite” to 33311. These alerts provide timely parking information as conditions change throughout the day. 

For the latest official Firefall guidance, visit the National Park Service website. 

• No reservation is required to visit Yosemite or view Horsetail Fall in February 2026.

• Viewing access: Park at Yosemite Falls parking and walk 1.5 miles each way to the El Capitan viewing area. If that lot is full, park at Yosemite Village or Curry Village and take the free shuttle to Yosemite Valley Lodge/Yosemite Falls.

• Road & parking restrictions:

  • No stopping, parking, or unloading along Northside or Southside Drives near El Capitan.

  • One lane of Northside Drive will close to allow pedestrian access; short, temporary road closures may occur after sunset on busy weekends.

  • Vehicles with disability placards may access El Capitan Picnic Area and park in designated turnouts.

• Facilities: Vault toilets and trash/recycling dumpsters are available at El Capitan Picnic Area.

• Be prepared: Bring warm clothing, sturdy footwear, and a headlamp or flashlight. Expect cold, dark walks back to your vehicle and possible icy conditions.

• Protect the park: Stay on trails and in durable areas, avoid meadows and fenced areas, and always pack out trash or use provided dumpsters.

Horsetail Fall lights up.  Photo by Darvin Atkeson

While the natural Firefall event of the Horsetail Fall that happens in February has been around for as long as Yosemite has existed, no one really knew about it until Galen Rowell took the first-known color photograph in 1973 for National Geographic (Interesting aside - in or around 1952 Ansel Adams did capture what was known at that time as El Capitan Fall. But since it was black and white, the unique colorful and fiery event we know of today was not conveyed). Now with the advent of digital photography and social media, this helped propel the ephemeral event into stardom.

For almost a century nightly bonfires created at  Glacier Point that were pushed over the cliffs toward spectators located in Curry Village below. The idea originated inadvertently in 1872 with James McCauley, the owner of the The Mountain House at Glacier Point.. Every night during the summer, he would build a campfire to entertain his guests. To extinguish the fire, he would kick the smoldering embers over the cliff. It didn’t take long for the visitors 3000 feet down below in Yosemite Valley who saw the embers tumbling down the cliff to request the Yosemite Valley Lodge to see the “Firefall.” And thus, the Yosemite Firefall was born.

Long exposure of Glacier Point Firefall from Ahwahnee Meadow

The “natural” Firefall, is much more natural and of course, rare, depending on a good stream of water flowing over Horsetail Fall, a clear sky and the right light hitting the cliffs at the right time to produce the desired effect.

Over 25 years, McCauley kept this tradition until he was evicted from Glacier Point. As the years passed, the Yosemite Valley Hotel owner, David Curry, kept hearing visitors fondly remember that activity. So, he brought it back for special occasions. This continued until 1913, when the park service banned it due to a possible leasing dispute with Mr. Curry. Reinstated in 1917, the display continued again with a break during WWII and was finally ended in 1968 by the director of the National Park Service, George B. Hartzog. His thought, and rightly so, was that it was an unnatural spectacle that was more fitting for Disneyland than a national park.

Old poster of Camp Curry Firefall - courtesy of Yosemite Archives

While long gone, its memory is still deeply embedded in Yosemite’s history. It's as if you can still hear the master of ceremonies, the Stentor, in Camp Curry bellowing out the following exchange with the firemaster at Glacier Point…

“Hello, Glacier Point!”

“Hello, Camp Curry!”

“Is the fire ready?”

“The fire is ready!”

“Let the Fire Fall!”

“The Fire Falls!”

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