Yosemite National Park in California is getting ready for a surge of visitors this February. Every year, people flock to see a natural event called the Firefall, when the setting sun hits Horsetail Fall on El Capitan just right, making it shine bright orange and red, almost like real lava flowing down the cliff. This rare sight only happens for a few weeks in mid- to late February, and only if the weather cooperates and there’s enough water from melting snow.
For the past three years, visitors needed to make online reservations to see the Firefall. The system helped limit overcrowding and protect the park’s environment. But for the 2026 season, Yosemite officials decided to end the reservation rule. Instead, they’re depending on shuttle buses, parking zones, and walking paths to manage the crowds. The goal is to find a balance, keeping people safe, giving visitors access to the view, and protecting the fragile natural areas around the base of El Capitan.
The Growing Crowd and Its Challenges
Each February, thousands of people drive into Yosemite Valley on clear evenings, hoping to catch the glow. The event has grown so popular that the narrow roads often become packed, parking lots overflow, and visitors hike long distances in the dark to reach the best spots. In past years, this rush left visible damage: grasslands and meadows were trampled, trails widened by heavy foot traffic, and small streams disturbed by people walking too close.
Without the reservation limits in place this year, park officials expect traffic jams and overcrowded trails to return. Northside Drive, a main route through the valley, could become especially congested. Rangers worry that visitors leaving after sunset, when it’s dark and cold, might stray off paths or damage wildlife habitats. They also face a staff shortage, making it harder to keep people in safe or designated areas. Even though the Firefall only shows its fiery colors on clear, cloud-free days, roughly half the time the crowds tend to come regardless, hoping for that perfect moment.
How the Firefall Became a Social Media Star
While Horsetail Fall has been known for decades, its fame exploded during the 2010s and 2020s, thanks to social media. Stunning photos and videos of the fiery glow went viral worldwide. By 2023, Yosemite was drawing record numbers of photographers and tourists trying to see or capture the spectacle. The park normally welcomes around four million visitors each year, but those February weekends became especially crowded.
To prevent severe environmental damage and safety risks, Yosemite launched a reservation system in 2023. Visitors had to book a spot online before arriving on peak weekends. Once in the park, they could take a shuttle from areas like Yosemite Village or Curry Village to the viewing site at El Capitan Picnic Area. Superintendent Ray McPadden, who led the effort, said the goal was to let everyone enjoy the sight without harming the landscape. Many conservationists praised the decision, seeing it as a responsible step that other parks could follow.
However, not everyone liked the system. Some travelers felt the online permits were inconvenient or unfairly limited access for spontaneous visitors or those without internet access. After three years of mixed feedback and public meetings, the park decided to end the reservation policy for 2026.
Open Access: Opportunity and Risk
With the new open-access approach, McPadden plans to manage crowds through expanded shuttle services, larger parking hubs farther from viewing areas, and more visible signs directing hikers. The park will also emphasize education campaigns reminding visitors to stay on trails and respect nature. Some nearby hotels and tour operators, such as Tenaya at Yosemite, now offer paid guided trips with seats, snacks, and parking options, hoping to reduce pressure on the public spaces. But these private tours have also raised fairness concerns, since they may give wealthier guests easier access than others.
Environmental advocates warn the changes could worsen the strain on the park. John Buckley, director of the Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center, cautioned that giving up the permit system might lead to renewed damage and “gridlock” in the valley. Before the system began, trails were wearing out 20 percent faster, and meadow plants were crushed under heavy foot traffic. Other natural landmarks, like The Wave in Arizona, have faced lasting harm from uncontrolled visitation.
McPadden remains confident, pointing to shuttle upgrades and community cooperation. He believes if visitors follow “Leave No Trace” principles, pack out their trash, avoid stepping on plants, and stay on paved paths, the park can handle the crowds. Still, many experts say the result will depend entirely on visitor behavior next month. If nature suffers again, Yosemite may need to bring back limits or a hybrid version of the old system.
For now, the park stands at a crossroads. It’s testing whether education and improved infrastructure can replace strict regulation. The outcome will show whether open access and conservation can truly coexist, or whether Yosemite’s wonder will come at too high a cost.
Sources:
ABC30, Reservations not required to visit Yosemite National Park to see ‘Firefall’ phenomenon, 13 Jan 2026
NPS Yosemite, Yosemite National Park’s spectacular ‘Firefall’, 16 Feb 2023
SFGATE, Yosemite National Park scraps Firefall reservations, 10 Jan 2026
Flying Dawn Marie, Firefall in Late Feb & Early March? (Yosemite Current Conditions), 2 Mar 2025
Tenaya at Yosemite, Firefall Tour, 6 Jan 2026