It happens for about two weeks in February. If you've ever seen a photo of the Yosemite waterfall on fire, you probably thought it was photoshopped or maybe some weird volcanic eruption in the middle of the Sierras. It isn't. It’s actually Horsetail Fall, a small, ephemeral waterfall that most people ignore for ten months of the year. But when the sun hits it just right? It glows like molten lava.
People call it the "Firefall." It’s basically a massive optical illusion. For the orange and red glow to show up, the sky has to be perfectly clear. Just a few clouds on the western horizon can kill the whole vibe. Honestly, it’s one of the most frustrating things to photograph because you can wait in the freezing cold for six hours only for a stray cloud to ruin the shot at the very last second.
The Science Behind the Glow
So, how does the Yosemite waterfall on fire actually work? It’s all about the angle of the sun. Think of it like a giant prism. During the last few minutes of daylight in mid-to-late February, the sun drops to a specific point where its rays hit Horsetail Fall at a sharp, direct angle. Because the waterfall sits on the eastern edge of El Capitan, it’s shielded from most light until that exact window.
The water isn't burning. Obviously. But the granite backdrop is dark, and the water reflects the deep reds and oranges of the sunset. It’s the same reason the clouds turn pink at dusk, but here, the light is concentrated into a narrow strip of falling water.
Why February?
The timing is everything. If you go in June, the sun is too high. If you go in December, it’s too low. You need that specific late-winter tilt. Plus, you need water. Since Horsetail Fall is fed entirely by snowmelt, if there hasn’t been enough snow or if it’s too cold for the snow to melt, the waterfall is bone dry. You end up staring at a dry rock wall. Not exactly a "firefall."
A History of Human-Made Fire
Most people don't realize there were actually two firefalls. The original one was a total fake. Starting back in 1872, the owners of the Glacier Point Hotel would literally push red-hot embers off a cliff.
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It was a show. People would stand in the valley and yell, "Let the fire fall!" and a cascade of glowing coals would tumble 3,000 feet down. It looked incredible, but it was also a massive fire hazard and, let's be real, pretty terrible for the environment. The National Park Service finally shut it down in 1968.
The natural Yosemite waterfall on fire wasn't "discovered" by the mainstream until Galen Rowell took a famous color photograph of it in 1973. Before that, it was mostly a secret among climbers and locals. Now? It’s a circus.
The Chaos of Modern Crowds
If you’re planning to see it, brace yourself. It’s no longer a quiet moment in the woods. Because of Instagram and TikTok, thousands of people descend on a tiny stretch of Northside Drive.
The Park Service has had to implement a reservation system because people were literally trampling the riverbanks and leaving trash everywhere. You usually need a "Horsetail Fall" permit just to get into the park on those peak weekends.
You’ll see rows of tripods that look like a military encampment. Some photographers get there at 9:00 AM for a sunset that happens after 5:00 PM. They sit in camping chairs, drink coffee, and pray for no clouds. It’s a lot of work for a glow that lasts maybe ten minutes.
Weather is the Boss
You can have the permit, the $5,000 camera, and the perfect spot, but if it's cloudy, you get nothing. If it’s a dry winter, you get nothing. Most years, the "fire" only truly happens a handful of times. It’s elusive. That’s why people obsess over it.
How to Actually See Horsetail Fall Glow
First, check the Yosemite National Park website in January. That’s when they announce the permit rules. Don't just show up; they will turn you around at the gate.
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- Park at the Yosemite Falls parking lot and walk. It’s about a 1.5-mile trek to the viewing area near the El Capitan picnic area.
- Bring a headlamp. Once the sun goes down and the glow fades, it gets dark fast. Walking back through the woods in the pitch black is how people get lost or twist ankles.
- Dress in layers. It might be 50 degrees while the sun is out, but as soon as that light hits the horizon, the temperature drops into the 30s.
Expect the walk back to be slow. You're moving with a massive herd of people. It’s kinda like leaving a stadium after a concert, but with more trees and fewer hot dog vendors.
Common Misconceptions
One big mistake people make is looking for the "fire" on the wrong waterfall. Yosemite Falls is the big, famous one in the middle of the valley. That's not it. You have to look at the side of El Capitan.
Also, it doesn't look like fire to the naked eye at first. It starts as a pale yellow. Then it turns gold. Only in the final two or three minutes does it turn that deep, "molten lava" orange. If you leave early because you think "that's it," you’re going to miss the best part.
Logistics and Gear
If you want the "pro" shot of the Yosemite waterfall on fire, you need a long lens. Something like a 200mm to 400mm. The waterfall is high up on the cliff, and if you use your iPhone, it’s just going to look like a tiny orange toothpick.
Use a tripod. The light gets very low, and your shutter speed will drop. If you’re hand-holding your camera, your photos will be blurry.
What to Pack
- Warm Boots: You’ll be standing in snow or frozen mud for hours.
- A Camp Chair: Your back will thank you.
- Extra Batteries: Cold weather kills camera batteries twice as fast.
- Patience: Seriously. Someone will definitely bump your tripod.
Beyond the Glow
Even if the firefall doesn't happen—maybe the sky stays grey—Yosemite in February is still worth it. The valley is usually covered in snow, and the crowds are thinner than in the summer. You can see the "frazil ice" in the creeks, which looks like moving slushy ice. It’s pretty wild.
The Yosemite waterfall on fire is a reminder that nature doesn't perform on a schedule. It’s a lucky alignment of geography, season, and weather. It’s a rare moment where the planet looks like something out of a fantasy novel.
Practical Next Steps
If you are serious about catching this phenomenon, your first move is to book lodging immediately. Places like Yosemite Valley Lodge or the Ahwahnee fill up a year in advance for February.
Monitor the "CDEC" (California Data Exchange Center) for snowpack levels in the Merced River basin. If the snowpack is at 20% of normal by late January, the waterfall might be too weak to see. If it's at 150%, you're in for a spectacular show.
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Lastly, set a calendar alert for the NPS reservation release dates, which typically happen in early February or late January. Missing that window means you’ll be stuck outside the park gates watching the sunset from a parking lot in El Portal.
Don't forget to pack a physical map. Cell service in the valley is spotty at best, and when 2,000 people are all trying to upload "firefall" photos at the same time, the towers basically give up. Download your maps for offline use before you leave home.