Every year, rain and snow runoff slip down the eastern face of El Capitan, creating a narrow waterfall that drops over two thousand feet to the valley. In February, for about a two week period, the setting sun lights the waterfall aglow with orange hues for about eight minutes, creating one of the most breathtaking, and sought-after, national park experiences that’s over in the blink of an eye. The resulting “firefall” attracts thousands of visitors into the park every year, creating long lines and parking congestion throughout the park.
The firefall spectacle became so popular that Yosemite National Park began implementing reservations in 2021 in order to limit the number of people that could flock to the park. But last month, national park officials announced that reservations will not be required for the firefall spectacle in 2026, which is expected from February 10 to 26 this year.
While it will be easier to access the waterfall without reservations, the shifting requirements could also result in overcrowding and difficulties with finding parking. While there are no entrance reservations, parking restrictions will be in effect, preventing stopping and unloading on Northside and Southside Drives.
Fortunately, there are alternative transportation and planning options for those who want to witness the firefall phenomenon but skip parking among the crowds.
Book a Guided Trip With a Local Lodge to Skip Busy Parking Lots
Amidst growing concerns about overcrowding, Groveland-based Rush Creek Lodge, and Evergreen Lodge are offering a shuttle for the third year in a row, which includes a guided tour from a naturalist, and dinner to a limited number of participants who want to see the firefall via the Yosemite Firefall Express. A guided service like this one, helps to simplify the travel process while ensuring that visitors are comfortable and in the right spot for the spectacle when the sun dips below the horizon. Participants do not have to stay at either property in order to take advantage of the shuttle services.
In the past, these shuttle services allowed visitors to bypass traditional reservations for the firefall event. While visitors no longer have to obtain reservations, they are still required to pay for admission into the park, which can be purchased for $20 per adult or in the form of an annual Yosemite or America the Beautiful Pass for $80 for U.S. citizens, and $250 for non U.S. residents. The park entry fee is not included in the Yosemite Firefall Express experience.
Those who use the shuttle can expect to pay $120 for adult participation and $90 for children. Trips depart from Rush Creek Lodge on February 7 to 8th, 14th to 16th, and 21st to 22nd. The Evergreen Lodge offers trips on February 14th to 15th, and 21st to 22nd. But spots are competitive and can be tough to snag.
Located two miles south of Yosemite’s eastern entrance, Tenya at Yosemite also offers tours to visitors who are interested in bypassing parking within the park. Like at the Rush Creek and Evergreen Lodges, tour participants do not have to stay at the lodge to acquire access to a tour. Instead, adventurers can book a shuttle, which includes lunch, and a guide for $149 per adult and $129 per child. Park entry is included in the booking fee.
Incredible Adventures offers a two-day overnight tour with prices starting at $599 using a bio-fueled mini-coach that accommodates up to 13 people to view the spectacle. The organization has booking options like door-to-door service from San Francisco, and a stay within the park boundary. Fees include park entry. In addition to viewing the Yosemite Firefall on this tour, guides also take visitors to other iconic Yosemite sites to see features like Half Dome and Bridalveil Falls.
Self-Guided Firefall Viewing
Hopping on a guided tour offers one way to skip the parking congestion in Yosemite, but those who prefer a self-guided experience can arrange a regional shuttle from Mariposa or Merced Counties on highway 140 with the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS). Tickets include the park entry fee.
Once visitors are in the park, they can utilize the free shuttle system to make their way to the firefall. The vast majority of adventurers head to the El Capitan picnic area to view the firefall, but it’s also visible from other parts of the park, including the Northside Drive, and along the Merced River.
The Origins of the Firefall Experience
While visitors to Yosemite often assume that the Firefall received its name due to the orange hues of the sun, it actually originates from a different set of circumstances. In the late 1800s, hotel owners in the valley tossed red-hot embers from burning fir bark into the waterfall to create a man-made firefall. By the 1960s, environmentalists successfully discontinued the ritual, pointing to the destruction and litter that the practice left in its wake. But by that time, the phenomenon was already popular, having made its way onto postcards and fruit labels across the region.
In 1973, Galen Rowell captured a photograph of Horsetail Falls amidst the glowing light of the sun, beginning a new ‘firefall’ era. The natural phenomenon that Rowell captured is what draws thousands of people to the valley from across the globe today.
Additional Firefall Viewing Tips and Tricks
Yosemite Valley typically experiences temperature highs in the 50s and lows just below freezing in February, but weather can be variable throughout the park. Visitors should pack layers for warmth, a headlamp, plenty of snacks and water, and plan to arrive early to snag a viewing spot in the park.
For more rare national park experiences that happen only once a year check out our national parks columnist Graham Averill’s article on Bucket List National park Adventures That Require Impeccable Timing.
The post How to See Yosemite Firefall Without the Crowds appeared first on Outside Online.
