Article Summary:
- Yosemite National Park’s famous “firefall” is a natural phenomenon that occurs when the Horsetail Fall waterfall is backlit by specific sunset conditions.
- The phenomenon is extremely rare, and only occurs for about 10 minutes when conditions are just right in mid to late February.
- Visitors and photographers hoping to catch the firefall should plan their visit in advance, and in most cases need to book a reservation.
Most national parks grow quiet during the winter months, but that’s not the case at Yosemite National Park.
In mid to late February, thousands gather in the valley with hopes of photographing Horsetail Fall glowing a fiery orange.
The natural phenomenon occurs when the falls are backlit by sunset. It’s extremely rare, appearing only for about 10 minutes when conditions are just right. Some years, the Yosemite Firefall doesn’t appear at all.
According to the National Park Service, “This unique lighting effect happens only on evenings with a clear sky when the waterfall is flowing. Even some haze or minor cloudiness can greatly diminish or eliminate the effect.”
In 2021, landscape photographer Andy Tupman got lucky. He had been to Yosemite National Park several times before but was inspired to visit during Firefall in hopes of capturing a new perspective. Plus, he thinks that anybody who loves the park should experience it at least once.
That year, several of Tupman’s photographer friends had similar hopes. “They had been there for three or four days and caught it maybe [once],” comments Tupman.
He had only one evening available. But with his fingers crossed and the weather on his side, he captured the stunning sight.
There’s no controlling Mother Nature but Tupman has some tips for photographers heading to Yosemite this month. However, before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk logistics.
Book Your Reservation and Know Where to Go
Legendary photojournalist Galen Rowell was the first to snap a colored image of the phenomenon in 1973. Since then, Firefall has captured the attention of photographers worldwide and visitation numbers only continue to grow.
Unfortunately, the crowding has caused environmental damage. In an effort to protect the park, Yosemite has enacted a reservation system.Reservations at national parks are becoming more common, as many of these destinations are becoming too loved.
But these systems aren’t overly burdensome — they just require a bit of advance planning.
Here’s When Reservations Are (and Are Not) Required
To see the Firefall, you’ll need a reservation on these dates:
- Saturday, February 10 – Sunday, February 11
- Saturday, February 17 – Monday, February 19
- Saturday, February 24 – Sunday, February 25
Reservations to Yosemite cost $2 on top of the $35 private vehicle entrance fee. Half of the available timed entry tickets were released on December 1 and have already sold out. However, there’s still plenty of opportunity to book a reservation.
The remaining 50% of tickets will be made available on Recreation.gov two days prior to a reservation date, starting at 8 am PT. For example, entry tickets for Saturday, February 10 can be purchased on Thursday, February 8. Note that reservations will sell out fast.
On your preferred date, I’d recommend logging into your Recreation.gov account a few minutes before 8 am PT — keep the time zone in mind! Have the Firefall webpage pulled up and claim a ticket as soon as possible.
Still, there’s the potential of not getting a last-minute reservation. If you’ll be flying into California, I’d suggest visiting between Monday and Friday instead.
During Firefall, you do not need a reservation to enter Yosemite on weekdays, aside from Monday, February 19 (President’s Day).
If you only have weekend availability, there is one loophole…
Reservations Are Not Required When You Book Certain Lodging
You do not need a Firefall reservation if you book one of the following overnight accommodations:
- Private lodging or a vacation rental in Wawona, Yosemite West, or Foresta
- Lodging at The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge, or Curry Village
- A campsite at Upper Pines, Wawona, Hodgdon Meadow, or Camp 4
Note that there are no first-come, first-serve campsites available from February 9 through February 25. You’ll need to book a campground reservation on Recreation.gov.
If you’re struggling to find an available campsite, Tupman recommends using an app called Camp Flare. It will alert you when campsites open up on your preferred dates.
If you can, I’d suggest booking Camp 4 or Yosemite Valley Lodge. These lodging options are closest to where you’ll want to be to see the falls…
Here’s Where to Park and View The Firefall
The Yosemite Falls lot is the closest parking option to the viewing area. If that lot is full, park at Yosemite Village or Curry Village. The free shuttle stops at both and can take you to the Yosemite Falls lot.
From there, you’ll walk 1.5 miles west along Northside Drive. This road will have one lane closed for pedestrians. Crowds will be gathered at El Capitan Picnic Area — the best spot to see the falls.
Phew! Now you know when and where to go. Now, here’s how to arrive prepared and have the best experience as a visiting photographer.
An Experienced Photographer’s Tips on Capturing the Yosemite National Park Firefall
Arrive Early to Ensure the Best Composition
Tupman recommends that photographers arrive as early as possible. You’ll be more likely to snag Yosemite Falls parking, cutting your walking distance. Plus, you’ll be one of the first to stake your tripod and can choose your ideal framing.
“My friend and I were one of the earliest ones to park and walk over to the [viewing] area. We essentially picked the spot we wanted to be in. There’s a lot of trees in the area and there’s the road. So as far as what you want your frame to look like, those are things to keep in mind,” says Tupman.
Come Prepared with the Proper Gear
In addition to a camera tripod, photographers will want to pack their camera, lenses, and a few accessories. Tupman had a number of items in his camera bag:
“I [used] a Canon 5D III which requires an intervalometer to take images without holding it. As far as lenses, I had a wide lens. I had my 24-70 on me. I had my 85/1.2 and then I also used my friend’s 70-200 so I was able to really punch in on the falls,” shares Tupman.
He recalls that the 70-200 is what he used when capturing the shot on his Instagram account, which amassed thousands of likes and views. Tupman also reminds photographers to carry extra batteries and memory cards, just in case.
Additionally, the National Park Service advises that all visitors pack warm clothing, traction devices for boots, and a headlamp or flashlight. Tupman adds, “Bring snacks and drinks because we were waiting for two, three hours.”
But time flies with good company…
Connect with Other Photographers and Take in the Atmosphere
Tupman shares that anticipation was in the air when he visited for the Yosemite Firefall. He remembers talking with the people next to him about their photography gear, and asking where they were from, if they’d been to Yosemite before, and if they’d seen Firefall.
“It becomes this festival atmosphere,” he explains, adding that it’s a big part of the day’s enjoyment. Hopefully, it culminates into the phenomenon everyone’s waiting for — and on Tupman’s visit, it did.
He concludes: “Hearing the echoes of the cheers and the applause of that moment happening was something that I still remember and I think I always will.”
