How to Watch Firefall (with Itinerary)
The idea of watching Firefall always felt like a fantastical idea that sat pretty on my bucket list. Turns out all you need is a photographer friend to invite you on a trip to motivate the possibilities. When we got together to plan it, and Yosemite being only a 6-7 hour drive away, we realized we could actually make it happen and I was SO excited.
Below you’ll find everything you need to know to watch the spectacle that is Firefall in Yosemite National Park. I include my itinerary of how I spent my day to have the best Firefall experience along with what to bring and to expect. Enjoy!
Be sure to watch my video of my day in Yosemite watching Firefall for a fun breakdown of the day
What & When is Firefall?
Firefall 2022
What
Firefall is one of Yosemite’s most incredible spectacles. During mid-late February Horsetail Falls, which usually flows only during winter, glows orange (like it’s on fire!) when a unique lighting effect hits the falls just right. It happens in the evenings at sunset when the sky is clear and the waterfall is flowing,
Although this phenomenon is entirely natural, it’s historically based on the man-made Firefall which used to happen off Glacier Point starting in 1872 and ended in 1968 where hot embers spilled from the top of the point, dropping 3,000 feet below and looked like a glowing waterfall.
Now the natural event, created at sunset that backlights Horsetail Falls, garners thousands of visitors each year. It’s truly a magical experience to see it in all of its natural, stunning glory.
When
The event occurs (usually) the last 2-3 weeks of February each year.
Be sure to check the Yosemite National Park website for updates and restrictions.
Where
Horsetail falls is located on the eastern edge of El Capitan in Yosemite Valley and can be viewed (most popularly) at the El Capitan Picnic Area, or the surrounding areas.
How
For Firefall to occur the conditions need to be perfect:
Horsetail Falls has to be flowing with water
This has been a cause for concern since flow has been less and less each year as annual rainfall has decreased
Clear skies. Even a slight haze or minor cloudiness can diminish the glowing effect
Do You Need a Permit?
No. You do not need a permit. Briefly during the COVID-19 pandemic you needed a permit to access the area but now they do not require it. Things can change, and if you’re planning on heading out for Firefall, be sure to stay up to date with alerts on the National Park Website.
The quick run down…
What You Need to Know/Do:
Get There Early: Park at the Yosemite Fall Parking Lot before 9:00 AM to make sure you can get a spot. This parking lot was full by 11:30 AM. If you can’t park here you’ll either walk entirely from there, or shuttle to the Yosemite Falls Parking Lot to start your trek.
Be Prepared to Walk: It’s a 1.5 miles to the Firefall viewing area from Yosemite Falls Parking Lot. They close the left lane of Northside drive for pedestrians.
The Essentials: Bring a chair, food, drinks and extra warmth. (A list of the gear I brought is below).
Plan Plan Plan: Plan your gear in advance, so you know how much weight you’ll be carrying, especially if you’re carrying camera equipment. We had backpacks so we were limited. We saw some pulling wagons the distance, which was honestly genius.
Power: Portable charging for your phone or extra batteries for your gear
Firefall: Plan to get a spot for Firefall by Noon
Light: Bring a headlamp for the hike back in the dark. The sun will set fast once Firefall is complete.
Hey There: Enjoy the day and make friends
Important: Leave no trace behind
What to Bring
The Essentials:
Compact (yet comfortable) chair
Lunch and snacks
Water and some adult beverages
Mini table
Extra Jacket
Headlamp
Camera gear
My Gear
This REI duffle that turns into a backpack was amazing
So, I never knew how this bag would come in handy, but that giant thing on my back isn’t actually a backpack (kind of)! It’s a 60L REI Co-Op duffle I bought as a piece of luggage. It has this nifty feature where you can switch out the duffle handles with backpack straps. This was SO helpful! I was able to fit my chair, mini table and food all in one duffle. I might have looked like a turtle but it was a godsend for sure. Highly recommend. Isn’t it funny how some gear works out better than you expected? ha.
REI Co-op Big Haul 60 Recycled Duffel
THIS is the duffle that also becomes a backpack. They have varying sizes.
REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Dreamer Chair
This chair was small-ish and packed up really nicely. I would not recommend it a backpacking chair but was comfortable for the day.
Totally unnecessary but really useful to have
Columbia Women's Sweet View Insulated Bomber
This was the jacket I wore for making the trek when it was warmer midday. I switched to a heavier jacket once the sun set. I just really love this lightweight bomber. I wore it while wearing thermals underneath.
ColumbiaNewton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped Hiking Boot - Women's
Womens Thermal Underwear Set Long Johns Base Layer Fleece Lined Soft Top Bottom
PEAK REFUEL Chicken Teriyaki Rice - 2 Servings
One of my fave meals and so delicious
Jetboil Jetpower Fuel for Jetboil Camping and Backpacking Stoves, 100 Grams
Where We Stayed
Merced River next to Cedar Lodge
Fish & Chips at the Diner
We stayed just outside the national park in the city of El Portal at Cedar Lodge. It’s less than 20 minutes outside the entrance to Yosemite and it’s right along the Merced River, making it a pretty sweet spot. It seemed that this side of Yosemite was less traveled, and it seemingly felt like it had less traffic.
There isn’t much around the lodge, but the property does have a diner and a bar that was pretty good. When we went the jacuzzi was under construction but they did have an indoor pool that seemed to run really warm during the winter.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Cedar Lodge has ZERO cell service and they do NOT offer free wifi. Since we had no service I felt like I had no choice but to purchase 3-days of wifi for $30 just so I could check in with my boyfriend and family.
This area gives you access to the Arch Rock Entrance. Be aware this is not the entrance that exits at Tunnel View. That would be through Wawona Tunnel.
Cedar Lodge Views
Cedar Lodge
Location: 9966 CA-140, El Portal, CA 95318
FIREFALL ITINERARY
5:48 AM - Good Morning
Since we knew we had a long day ahead of us, we decided to start early to take in some sights with the goal of entering the park early so we could snag parking. We headed to Tunnel View for sunrise knowing it’d be an amazing experience and epic for photos.
We checked out when sunrise would be on our weather app and planned accordingly.
Sunrise at Tunnel View
6:20 AM - Arrived at Tunnel View
It’s hard not find a crowd of photographers at the most popular viewpoints in Yosemite. Can’t say I blame them. We arrived to Tunnel View at 6:20 AM and there was already a crowd and parking was scarce.
Tunnel View is one of the most famous scenic viewpoints in Yosemite and a must see. You get El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, and Half Dome all in one view. Even if you don’t make it for sunrise, put this viewpoint on your list!
6:45 AM - Sunrise
The sunrise was an absolute priceless way to start the day and I cannot recommend it enough when traveling to Yosemite.
The most glorious moment is when the sunshine peeked over the mountains and hit the tip of El Capitan and grew from there.
Be sure yo watch my Firefall video for a timelapse of the sunrise!
By the time the sun had risen it was FREEZING and the crowd of photographers had thinned out.
We wondered where they were off to next. Was everyone planning for Firefall?
Sunrise glow at Tunnel View
Yosemite Village
8:30 AM - Parked at Yosemite Falls Parking Lot
Next, we parked at Yosemite Falls Parking Lot by 8:30 AM, and there was still ample parking to choose from. You can see Horsetail Falls (Firefall) information posted everywhere. The signage explained that during Firefall Season they close and restrict the left lane of Northside Drive for pedestrians to walk from the parking lot to the El Capitan Picnic Area.
With parking out of the way and some extra time, we headed to Yosemite Village for coffee and to grab some snacks for the day.
From Yosemite National Park Website 2022
At Degnan’s Deli Peetz Coffee is served, along with breakfast/lunch food. I highly recommend the biscuits and gravy, which were so much more delicious than anticipated. The deli is a bit chaotic, but a good place to stock on up on snacks. We grabbed the last of the sandwiches, and it wasn’t even 10:00 AM.
We also stopped at the visitors center to get our National Park Passport Book stamped and i had to get this cute hat at the store in Yosemite Village:
Walk to Firefall
11:30 AM - Parking Lot Full
We made it back to the car just as the ‘Lot Full’ sign was going up. The key is to get there early for parking, or you’ll have to park at Yosemite Village and shuttle in to this spot or walk.
12:00 - 1.5 Mile Walk to Firefall Viewing Area
We prepped our bags for the trek to the Firefall viewing area. I had this giant XXL REI duffle bag that turns into a backpack that I was able to fit everything inside (more info below)
Make sure to plan out the gear you’ll carry, including camera gear. We saw some people bring wagons to carry their stuff which was genius.
No we were ready and started out trek 1.5 miles down Northside Drive to El Capitan Picnic Area. Although it can feel a bit long if you’re carting your gear, the stroll is still stunning.
Crowd Talk
12:30 - Finding a Spot
When we arrived at 12:30 PM there was a lot of spots to choose from but the spots were filling up fast.
The crowds were very real.
We talked to a volunteer directing traffic, and he told us where he thought the best Firefall viewing spot was since he had seen it every evening for the past week. We were in a bit of a panic when he mentioned Firefall didn’t happen the night before.
We could see that Horsetail Falls was just a trickle, so we were nervous since Firefall is never a guarantee.
There are places to view Firefall before and at El Capitan Picnic area.
Now, all we could do was wait and hope we see firefall
One of the coolest things about viewing Firefall is the camaraderie and the friends you make. Hundreds of people gather for hours in waiting to see the same thing as you. It’s obvious you all have this common interest. You can’t help but chat with people around you. We talked hikes, camera gear and exchanged Instagram handles. It was a lot of fun and made the time fly.
Chances were looking good as the glow appeared around 5:00 PM, and as predicted the afternoon snow melt had the falls flowing more. We could see mist appearing at the top of the falls.
Firefall
5:42: PM - Sunset
And right on time, Firefall started to happen at sunset. Silence fell in the valley as the crowds watched. And once it was over the valley rallied in cheers
You’ll definitely want to watch my Firefall video to witness the amazingness.
The Walk Back
6:30 PM - Walk Back to Yosemite Falls Parking Lot
Once the sun set, it got dark fast, and the mass exodus of people was real.
We slowly packed up, letting the crowds thin before making the trek back in darkness
Traffic
7:00 PM - Ate Dinner at the Car
Let it be known, traffic is insane after Fire Fall. I hear some people wait hour to try an exit the park via the one lane loop.
We had a plan and made dinner by jet boil next to the car. These camping meals never fail.
By the time we finished dinner, traffic was pretty much clear and we headed out.
One Final Stop
9:00 PM - Ended the Day at Tunnel View
We ended our day the same way we started it—Tunnel View! We stopped for some epic night photography before heading back to the hotel.
The day was a success and the best day ever.
Have you have watched Firefall or is it on your bucket list? Tell me in the comments
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