Yosemite Ends Reservations For Rare Firefall —What to Know About Seeing the 'Waterfall of Fire' in 2026

With Yosemite ditching reservations for firefall, will it be a mess? Here's what to know

The winter convergence of sunbeams and falling water at Yosemite's Horsetail Falls has drawn growing crowds.

Yosemite drops reservation requirement for popular Firefall event in February

In a move that highlights the debate between easy access to national parks and preservation of natural resources, the Trump administration has dropped a reservation requirement for people who visit Yosemite National Park to see one of the park’s most popular winter displays on weekends in February. The annual event, commonly known as Firefall, is a natural spectacle when the setting sun hits Horsetail Fall, a 1,570-foot waterfall on the east sid…

Yosemite drops reservation requirement for popular ‘Firefall’ viewing

Yosemite National Park has ended reservations for viewing the seasonal ‘Firefall’ in February.

Yosemite Ends Reservations For Rare Firefall —What to Know About Seeing the 'Waterfall of Fire' in 2026

The National Park Service has lifted its February permit requirement, making it easier to witness the fiery waterfall glow.Jeff Pfaller View of the Yosemite Firefall.Yosemite National Park's famed "firefall" phenomenon will be easier to access next month with the National Park Service (NPS) eliminating the need for advanced reservations.Tucked inside of the park's Yosemite Valley, the Horsetail Fall waterfall comes to life for a short season eac…

Yosemite Won't Require Reservations to See 'Firefall' This Year

It’ll be easier for guests to visit Yosemite National Park this winter during the annual “firefall”-viewing window, because the California park says it’s not requiring reservations (unlike previous years). But some people worry that the decision will only exacerbate overcrowding issues. Firefall is a natural phenomenon only viewable for a short period of time each year. In mid-to-late February, Yosemite’s Horsetail Falls transforms into a natura…