It’s always a good time to visit Yosemite National Park, but the last half of February is an especially popular time to travel to California's most-visited national park.
The reason? Yosemite’s annual “firefall” — an eye-catching optical illusion that makes Horsetail Fall appear on fire when a few conditions sync up perfectly.
The National Park Service estimates that your chance to see the lights is sometime between Feb. 8 and 23, 2025. In order for the firefall to occur, the angle of the light at sunset has to strike perfectly. This only happens during that window in February.
The weather must be very clear, and plenty of water needs to flow over the rocks. This process can be hindered by an especially dry winter.
La Nina weather conditions are anticipated to emerge this winter, producing a drier-than-average winter in the U.S. However, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration currently predicts that California has "equal chances of below-average, near-average or above-average seasonal total precipitation."
If this alignment happens, the waterfall will transform into what appears to be a river of fire.
Of course, like most weather-dependent phenomena, it’s impossible to guarantee that the firefall phenomenon will occur in 2025. However, this time frame is based on the NPS’ best guess.
Reservations required for Yosemite
As you can imagine, this event attracts many visitors to a small area, resulting in traffic, parking issues and other safety concerns while disrupting natural and cultural resources.
To manage this, Yosemite will require reservations for entry 24 hours a day on the following dates: Feb. 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 22 and 23, 2025.
Reservations are also required at the Wawona, Camp 4 and Hodgdon Meadow campgrounds between Feb. 8 and 23, 2025, since these campgrounds normally operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
When can you make a reservation?
Vehicle reservations for Yosemite during the affected dates in February will open Nov. 18, 2024, at 8 a.m. PST. The NPS will release half of the reservation slots for each of the February dates.
The remaining half of the reservation slots will open at 8 a.m. PST two days in advance. (So, a Feb. 23, 2025, reservation would open the morning of Feb. 21, 2025, and so forth). Reservations will be available at Recreation.gov.
The nonrefundable reservation fee is $2. Only one reservation is required per vehicle and all of its occupants. Annual and lifetime passholders will still need to make a reservation.
Vehicle passes are good for seven days and require an additional $35 entrance fee for standard vehicles.
Wawona, Camp 4 and Hodgdon Meadow campground reservations on Recreation.gov will open at 7 a.m. PST on Dec. 15, 2024. Two-night minimum stays are required. Overnight guests with camping reservations do not need to make a vehicle reservation.
Visiting Yosemite for firefall
If you’re lucky enough to be in Yosemite when the firefall occurs, the El Capitan Picnic Area is your best bet for a good view. It’s about a 1 1/2-mile walk each way from Yosemite Falls parking. If that parking lot is full, consider parking at Yosemite Village or Curry Village. From there, you can take advantage of the park’s free shuttle to Yosemite Falls parking and Yosemite Valley Lodge.
For those coming from Yosemite Village, Yosemite Falls parking and Yosemite Valley Lodge, the NPS says visitors should “expect to park far from your viewing area” and to “prepare to walk to and from the viewing area” in the cold and dark.
No matter where you park, be sure to pack comfortable sneakers or hiking boots, a camera and maybe even a chair. You’ll also need plenty of patience to withstand those crowds.
Bottom line
Firefall or no firefall, you can never go wrong with a trip to Yosemite. Whether or not you’re planning to visit Yosemite this winter during this natural phenomenon, there are plenty of hotels near Yosemite National Park you can book with points. You can use Hilton Honors points to book a glamping getaway at AutoCamp Yosemite. Or, if you wait until the weather warms up this spring, you can go glamping at the brand-new Under Canvas Yosemite opening in May 2025. Rates start at $349 or 32,500 World of Hyatt points per night.
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- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
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