Want to see Yosemite’s famous ‘firefall’? Reservations open Nov. 18
Editor's Note
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.
Related reading:
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- Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a first-time or frequent traveler
- Best travel credit cards
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
- 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.