Every year in mid to late February Horsetail Falls in Yosemite National Park lights up to resemble a flowing waterfall of Fire, also known as the “firefall”, the amazing natural phenomena can be viewed from multiple spots within the park, and several evenings throughout late February. The waterfall lighting up looks like an erupting volcano, Seeing the Yosemite Horsetail Fall in a person is a bucket list experience you don’t want to miss.
What is the best time to see the Firefall?
It’s impossible to nail down a specific date that the Firefall occurs, because
the conditions are entirely dependent on Mother Nature but the last two to three
weeks of February are generally when the Firefall occurs.
The Yosemite National Park website posts updates on the status of Horsetail Falls throughout the winter, if your schedule is flexible it’s best to visit Yosemite on a weekday because the area gets extremely crowded during natural events
perfect weather to catch Firefall, when Yosemite needs to receive enough snowpack during winter to provide lots of water that flows down El Capitan.
Horsetail Falls is a temporary waterfall so without enough precipitation there won’t be anything to view.
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How to get the perfect view of the Firefall?
The lighting needs to be perfect, and cloud cover is arguably the most critical element, too many clouds can prevent sunlight from hitting the waterfall and kill the phenomenon, you should visit Yosemite during a clear evening.
The wind is an important element for getting the best view of the Firefall,a little bit of Breeze can exaggerate the phenomena but on days that are too windy the water that’s supposed to flow down horsetail fall will just blow right off the top of El Capitan and never Cascade down the side, to guarantee the best photos you want to visit on a clear windless day.
If you’re looking for a great angle of Yosemite Valley alongside the Firefall
then hiking up Four Mile Trail is the best place to get a picture, but it can get very icy above the tree line, You’ll have fewer tourists to deal with more natural scenery, the
park service keeps the first mile-and-a-half stretch of Four Mile Trail open for
hikers throughout the winter.
What time to arrive to Yosemite Horsetail Fall?
Sunset occurs between 5:30 and 5:45 in Yosemite National Park in February and
the best time to view the Firefall is about a half hour before Sunset, so you’ll want to set up your camera no later than 4:30.
Make sure to stay well past Sunset you never know if a sliver
of clear sky is going to appear and light up Yosemite Firefall, the park
gets extremely crowded during this time of year with so many tourists looking to
take great photos in front of the falls so it’s best to arrive early afternoon to avoid traffic jams and find parking.
Where to go to see the Firefall?
Fortunately, the Firefall can be seen from several areas throughout the park
so you can pick whichever one is most convenient for you, the most popular
locations for photography are along North River Road the El Capitan picnic
area, and Four Mile Trail South View near Cathedral Beach used to be the most
popular and crowded area to get Firefall photos.
The Park Service recently began closing this stretch along the Merced River because too many tourists were damaging the vegetation, you can see the Fire Fall all along North River Road, there are plenty of angles to choose from, on the roadside is also light on trees which makes it easy to get a clear view at the El Capitan picnic area, you’ll find the biggest crowd that will make it harder to move around but this area also gives you the closest view of the falls so you won’t need a fancy zoom lens to take a good picture.
Where to park?
Parking in Yosemite Valley can get tricky this time of year the most convenient location to park is in the Yosemite Falls parking lot, but if the area is full you can park at Yosemite Village or Curry Village instead there’s a free shuttle that runs between these parking lots and Yosemite Lodge, it’s a mile and a half walk along Northside Drive to the El Capitan picnic area.
Embrace the crowds while visiting Yosemite to watch the Firefall, expect the heavy crowds and traffic jams, and don’t forget to pack a flashlight for your walk back to the car because it’s going to be dark a mile and a half walk, it takes about 30 minutes at a Brisk pace so you should be prepared to stay in the area for several hours.
FAQs
How to get to horsetail falls Yosemite?
To reach Horsetail Fall in Yosemite, drive to Yosemite Valley via Highways 41, 140, or 120. From there, take Southside Drive to Sentinel Bridge or Yosemite Falls Viewpoint. For the best view during sunset, arrive early and park at designated areas. Be prepared for a short hike.
Where is horsetail falls in Yosemite?
Horsetail Fall is located in Yosemite National Park, California, USA. It flows off the eastern edge of El Capitan, a prominent granite cliff, in Yosemite Valley. You can view it from various spots in the valley, including El Capitan Picnic Area, Cathedral Beach Picnic Area, or along Northside Drive.
What time does Firefall start in Yosemite?
The Firefall phenomenon at Horsetail Fall in Yosemite typically occurs around sunset in mid to late February. but it depends on the weather and water flow so the time will vary. Arrive early to secure a viewing spot and witness this captivating event.
How long does Firefall last?
The Firefall phenomenon at Yosemite’s Horsetail Fall typically lasts for about 10 to 15 minutes during sunset. It stays for such a small window when the sun’s angle aligns with the waterfall, creating a stunning golden glow resembling flowing lava.