Yosemite National Park is a wonderland of natural beauty. In every twist and turn, you are constantly reminded of how beautiful nature is. If you are visiting this national park, one natural phenomenon you must-see is the Firefall. Yes, it looks exactly as it sounds. A massive waterfall that looks like lava is flowing.
WHERE?
The Firefall is actually located at the 1500 ft Horsetail Falls. As you’d imagine, this waterfall can be seen from many locations. For the purpose of this blog, we’ll tell you how to see this waterfall with the least amount of effort. The easiest way to get here is by parking at the El Capitan Picnic Area or Yosemite Lodge. From here, you can clearly see the waterfall. If you want to get a closer look, you may need reservations. See Tips below.
WHEN?
This natural phenomenon usually occurs from mid to late February (approximately 2 weeks). Perfect conditions have to be met in order to see this spectacle. The water must be flowing (ie. temperature must be right to melt the ice) and the sky must be clear at sunset. Once conditions are met, you should be able to see the firewall for about 10-12 minutes.
TIPS
- Each year the number of people who come to see this spectacle increases significantly. In 2018, reservations were required. Make sure to check Yosemite National Park News for up to date information.
- As mentioned above, perfect conditions must be met. To find the current status, search Horsetail Falls under Places in Instagram and make sure the most recent photos were posted 1-2 days prior. You can also check Stories in that location for a real-time update.