Visitors flock to Yosemite for firefall light show despite heavy snow

Heavy snow did not deter visitors from flocking to Yosemite in recent days, in hopes of seeing the park’s spectacular natural light show.

Firefall occurs each year in February during sunset when the light hits Horsetail Fall in such a way that, for a brief period, the waterfall appears illuminated by lava. In recent years, the phenomenon has drawn large crowds – and lots of photographers.

Late-afternoon light shines on El Capitan’s Horsetail Fall on 21 February 2026. Photograph: Tracy Barbutes/Reuters

This year’s firefall comes as winter storms covered the park, along with the Sierra Nevada, with snow. The cloudy conditions made firefall, which can only occur with a clear sky, less frequent.

The snow forced officials to briefly shutter the pedestrian route to the viewing area and the park even closed entirely last week amid treacherous weather that rendered roads inaccessible, toppled trees and fueled avalanche conditions.

Traffic forms along Highway 140 as visitors arrive in the morning for the Horsetail Fall firefall event. Photograph: Tracy Barbutes/Reuters

Since reopening over the weekend, the park has seen a major influx of visitors, causing extended wait times, ABC 30 reported.

The park has said that while firefall viewing will “operate normally”, visitors should be prepared for freezing temperatures, limited parking and as much as 4ft of snow in viewing areas.