How many of you have seen images of a fiery ribbon of water cascading over the sheer granite cliff face of El Capitan in February? It’s quite the sight, right? Because of the crowds that gather for this annual event, Yosemite National Park in California will require day-use entrance reservations for the last three weekends of February 2025 to manage the Horsetail Fall event.
During February, thousands of visitors visit Horsetail Fall, a waterfall that can glow orange when it's backlit by sunset, which can make it appear to be on fire. This unique lighting effect happens only on evenings with a clear sky when the waterfall is flowing and when the sun is at the right angle in mid– to late February. This event attracts many visitors to a small area, causing traffic congestion, parking issues, safety concerns, and impacts to natural and cultural resources.
River impacts created due to the crowds attending the February Horsetail Fall event, Yosemite National Park / NPS file
To manage this event, a reservation will be required to enter Yosemite National Park on the weekends of February 8–9, February 15–17, and February 22–23, 2025, even for those not visiting Horsetail Fall. Visitors who arrive Mondays through Fridays (except Monday, February 17) won't need a reservation. The $35/car entrance fee is valid for entry for seven days, regardless of day of arrival. A similar system has been implemented for this event the past several years.
Beginning at 8 a.m. Pacific time on November 18, 50 percent of day-use reservations will be available for all three weekends at https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086745. Beginning at 8 a.m. Pacific time two days prior to a day-use reservation date, the remaining 50 percent of day-use reservations will be available. For example, on February 21 at 8 a.m., day-use reservations for February 23 will be available.
If you have a lodging reservation for Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Foresta, or Yosemite West, you don’t need an additional entrance reservation.
Campground reservations will be required for Camp 4, Hodgdon Meadow, and Wawona Campgrounds from February 8 through February 23, 2025 (these campgrounds normally operate on a first-come, first-served basis in February). Campground reservations will be released on December 15 at 7 a.m. PST on recreation.gov. If you have a reservation for a campground inside the park, you don’t need an additional entrance reservation.
Learn more: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/reservations.htm
