Horsetail Fall viewing position

Horsetail Fall runs down the eastern shoulder of El Capitan for only a few months each winter, fed entirely by snowmelt with no permanent source of its own. For about two weeks in mid-to-late February, the setting sun lines up with the fall at just the right angle, and if the water and sky cooperate, the cascade glows orange and red for a few minutes before dark — the effect that earned it the nickname "firefall." The official viewing spot is the El Capitan Picnic Area on Northside Drive, looking straight across the valley at the fall.

When It Happens

The National Park Service projects the 2026 viewing window at February 10–26, though the exact dates shift with weather. Two things have to go right: enough recent snow or rain to keep water flowing over the cliff, and a clear sky right at sunset. A dry winter or a cloudy evening can mean no show at all, so treat any specific date as a best guess, not a guarantee.

Getting There

• Park at the Yosemite Falls parking area near Yosemite Valley Lodge, then walk about 1.5 miles one-way to the viewing spot at the El Capitan Picnic Area.
• If that lot is full, park at Yosemite Village or Curry Village and ride the free shuttle to Yosemite Valley Lodge/Yosemite Falls instead.
• No reservation or permit is required to enter the park or to view the fall.

What to Expect

This is one of the most crowded few minutes in the park all year — arrive by early-to-mid afternoon on peak dates to claim a spot, especially on weekends. Northside Drive gets a temporary pedestrian lane in the afternoons during the season, parking and stopping are restricted along key stretches, and the road can close briefly after sunset on the busiest days. Southside Drive stays open to cars but without stopping or unloading.