Reservations required to see `firefall' at park
You've probably seen the striking image on your Instagram feed: a towering wall of stone cut down the center by what appears to be a glowing stream of lava flowing down the rock face.
The sight at Yosemite National Park — not actually a lava flow but a waterfall streaming down the face of El Capitan and illuminated spectacularly by a February sunset, has captured the interest of millions and drawn flocks of park visitors.
Next year, for the second year in a row, reservations will be required to enter the park during peak time for the “firefall,” as the phenomenon is known.
The firefall occurs in a tiny window in late February when the setting sun hits Horsetail Fall at just the right angle and the water is flowing from winter rains. It has become a massive draw for nature photographers, both professional and amateur, and tourists hoping to snap the perfect National Geographic-worthy shot.
Because of the overwhelming demand, reservations will be required to enter Yosemite on the weekends of Feb. 10-12, Feb. 1719 and Feb. 24-26, even for those not visiting Horsetail Fall. Additionally, campsites usually available on a first-come, first-served basis will also require reservations from Feb. 1 through Feb. 28.
“Historically, the sunset backlight on Horsetail Fall was little known,” Yosemite National Park said on its website. “However, in recent years, visitation around this event has increased dramatically.”
In 2019, more than 2,000 visitors to the site “gathered in areas mostly lacking adequate parking and other facilities.”
The visitors crowded on riverbanks, increasing erosion and trampling vegetation, the park said.
“As riverbanks filled, visitors moved into the Merced River, trampling sensitive vegetation and exposing themselves to unsafe conditions,” the park said. “Some undeveloped areas became littered with trash, and the lack of restrooms resulted in unsanitary conditions.”
Day-use reservations for peak firefall weekends will be made available two days before each reservation date.
Reservations for affected campsites will be released Thursday at Recreation.gov.