Horsetail Fall is one of the most spectacular and photographed waterfalls in Yosemite, especially during a particular time of the year when the water flowing from the rocks takes on a vibrant orange color, resembling a river of lava.
However, witnessing the Horsetail Fall Firefall in person is not easy, both due to the short window of time when it occurs and the regulations that have been implemented to prevent overcrowding in the area.
Let’s discover everything there is to know about visiting Horsetail Fall.
Where is Horsetail Fall
Horsetail Fall is formed on the eastern side of El Capitan in Yosemite Valley. It can be reached by either a rental car, using the designated parking areas we mentioned in the article, or by using the park’s shuttle service.
Horsetail Fall Firefall
The phenomenon that “colors” the waterfall orange does not occur throughout the year but only during a specific period of time. Typically, it happens from mid-February to the end of the month when the setting sun aligns at an angle that allows for the formation of the luminous effect.
For the phenomenon to occur, the sky must be mostly clear of clouds, as even a slight presence of clouds can diminish the intensity of the visual effect. Generally, this breathtaking display lasts for only about ten minutes.
Reservations
The beauty of this event over the years has had a downside, which is the continuous overcrowding of the area, which is not equipped to handle such a large influx of spectators.
This resulted in traffic congestion on the roads, as cars struggled to find parking in the limited available spaces. The large number of people crowded in one area also had repercussions on the environment, causing erosion of river banks and destruction of vegetation.
The lack of essential facilities such as restrooms and waste bins further endangered the ecosystem of the area.
For all these reasons, starting from 2023, the park management has decided to implement a reservation system for visiting the event.
The dates for which reservations are required to access Yosemite National Park are as follows:
- February 10-12, 2023
- February 17-19, 2023
- February 24-26, 2023
To make a reservation for your visit, you need to go to this official webpage where, starting from 8:00 AM Pacific Time on January 13, 50% of the available slots will be made available online.
The remaining 50% of reservations will be made available online (also starting at 8:00 AM Pacific Time) two days before the desired date. For example, on February 15 at 8:00 AM, reservations for February 17 will be available.
The cost of the reservation is $2 per vehicle (or motorcycle), and it is non-refundable.
Please note: If you already have a reservation for certain hotels or campgrounds within the park during the period when this regulation is in effect, you do not need to make an additional online reservation. The list of facilities that provide this exemption can be found on this webpage.
How to Get to Horsetail Fall
If you have managed to secure your reservation and wish to witness the event, here are some guidelines to keep in mind.
The closest parking area is Yosemite Falls Parking (in the immediate vicinity of Yosemite Valley Lodge), from where you will need to walk approximately 1,55 miles to reach the viewpoint. Alternatively, you can use the more distant Yosemite Village Park and Curry Village Park, from where you can take advantage of the free shuttle service that will take you to Yosemite Valley Lodge.
The roads in the immediate vicinity of the viewing point will undergo changes in pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
- Northside Drive: One lane will be closed to car traffic to allow for safer pedestrian flow. On weekends, if necessary, it may be completely closed to vehicles. Parking, stopping, or unloading passengers will be prohibited between Camp 4 and El Capitan Crossover.
- Southside Drive: Open to vehicles but restricted to pedestrians both on the road and in its vicinity. Similarly, stopping, parking, and unloading passengers will not be allowed. Additionally, an area delimited between the Merced River and the picnic areas of Sentinel Beach and Cathedral Beach will be inaccessible.
