Yosemite National Park’s Natural Firefalls Viewing Reservations Available starting Nov. 18
Visitors have the opportunity to make reservations to witness Horsetail Fall illuminate during sunset in February.
The reservations will open on Nov. 18 for those who wish to experience the natural firefall at Yosemite National Park, where Horsetail Fall turns orange at sunset in February.
For the three weekends in February—Feb. 8-9, Feb. 15-17, and Feb. 22-23—reservations will be necessary to access the park at any time of day.
Similar reservation systems have been implemented by the park for this event in recent years.
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As the night progressed, they would push the embers over the edge, creating the “firefall” that drew nightly spectators. The firefall continued until 1897 when the hotel changed ownership, but was reinstated two years later, as per the park’s records.
Curry Village, located at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley, became a popular location to witness the firefall during the summer months.
The campfire transformed into an outdoor stage with ranger talks and musical entertainment, culminating in the firefall as the grand finale.
Former educator couple Jack and Sheryl McLaughlin reminisced about standing on Stoneman Bridge every evening during the summer as newlyweds. A ranger communication ritual on the bridge indicated the beginning of the event.
“They would shout, ‘let the fire fall!’” Sheryl McLaughlin recounted to The Epoch Times. “It was a beautiful sight that lasted a couple of minutes.”
The conducted campfires and artificial firefalls ceased in the winter of 1968 due to orders from the National Park Service. The increasing traffic from visitors attempting to view the firefall was detrimental to meadows, and fire hazards were of concern, as stated by the park.
President Theodore Roosevelt (L) poses with naturalist and botanist John Muir on Glacier Point in Yosemite, California. The original Yosemite National Park firefall started here in 1873. MPI/Getty Images
The current natural firefall event attracts a significant number of visitors to the area, resulting in traffic congestion, parking problems, safety issues, and impacts on natural and cultural resources, per the park’s statement.
“A notice circulated around the school stating, ‘tonight will be the final firefall,’” Jack McLaughlin recollected.
Discovered in February 1973, the natural firefall at Horsetail Fall continues to captivate visitors eager to witness the breathtaking spectacle, managed by a reservation system devised by park officials.
Day-use reservations are mandatory for visitors who wish to access the park, even if they are not specifically visiting Horsetail Fall.
Visitors arriving on weekdays, excluding Feb. 17, do not require a reservation.
The entrance fee is $35 per vehicle and remains valid for a week, irrespective of the arrival day.
Water flowing off Horsetail Fall glows orange while backlit from the setting sun during the “Firefall” phenomenon in Yosemite National Park, California, on Feb. 15, 2023. FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images
Lodging reservations in Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Foresta, or Yosemite West negate the need for an additional entrance reservation.
Additionally, campground reservations are obligatory for Camp 4, Hodgdon Meadow, and Wawona campgrounds from Feb. 8 through Feb. 23, as per the park’s guidelines.
Normally operated on a first-come, first-served basis in February, campground reservations will open at 7 a.m. on Dec. 15 at recreation.gov.
