Firefall Opening Day 2025: Yosemite Crowds & Current Winter Conditions
Hi friends! It’s that magical time of year again—Firefall season in Yosemite National Park! I spent Saturday, February 8th, in Yosemite Valley, soaking up the winter scenery and catching the first official day of the 2025 Horsetail Fall “Firefall” Event season. Like previous years, this year’s Firefall comes with advanced reservation requirements, so I was curious to see how it affected crowds and access to this bucket-list event, especially considering the weather conditions were promising. Spoiler alert: the crowds weren’t quite as wild as I expected for opening weekend, but Firefall definitely delivered!
In this live update, I’ll share the latest winter conditions, road status, how the waterfalls are flowing, what the first day of Firefall was like, and what you can expect if you’re planning to visit next weekend.
NOTE: All photos in this post were taken on Saturday, 2/8/25.
Firefall seen near El Capitan Picnic Area in Yosemite Valley
Current road conditions along Yosemite Valley’s Southside Drive
Road Conditions
All roads in the valley are currently rated R-0, which means no restrictions, but keep in mind that visitors are required to carry tire chains in their vehicles at all times during the winter season. While the weather has been relatively mild lately, it’s always better to be prepared for sudden changes.
Always check the official Yosemite NPS website for the most up-to-date road conditions, and call (209) 372-0200 (press 1, then 1) for the latest tire chain requirements. Below is a quick guide to understanding the ratings:
“R-0” = No Chains Required
“R-1” = Chains Required: Autos & Pickups with Snow Tires OK
“R-2” = Chains Required: Four-Wheel Drive with Snow Tires OK
“R-3” = Chains Required: No Exceptions
Snow visible along Yosemite Creek near Lower Yosemite Falls
Winter Conditions in Yosemite Valley
Winter in Yosemite is defiitely a bit light this year. There’s barely any snow on the valley floor right now. The only snow I found was along Yosemite Creek near the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail. Just a couple of weeks ago, snow covered parts of Southside Drive, but it’s now completely gone. The surrounding granite peaks don’t have much snow for this time of year either—except for Clouds Rest, which is boasting some decent coverage.
Bridalveil Fall in Yosemite National Park
Lower Yosemite Falls flowing nicely
Waterfalls Update
The recent precipitation has been great for Yosemite’s waterfalls, and they’re flowing much better than they were just a couple of weeks ago. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll see:
Bridalveil Fall: Flowing well with lots of ice and frost clinging to the granite. It looks gorgeous from Tunnel View, Valley View, and up close on the Bridalveil Fall Trail.
Ribbon Fall: Remarkably, this seasonal waterfall has started to flow, which doesn’t always happen this early in the year. Did you know that this waterfall is the tallest single-drop waterfall in North America?
Yosemite Falls: Both the upper and lower falls are flowing beautifully! The upper falls has ice on the granite that breaks off and crashes down as it melts in the midday sun.
Horsetail Fall (Firefall): Flowing lightly with some mist. Keep reading below for all the details on this year’s Firefall experience!
A great resource to gauge what waterfalls are looking like currently in Yosemite Valley is the real-time view via the Yosemite Conservancy Yosemite Falls Webcam.
Crowds at Tunnel View in Yosemite National Park
Park Crowds
I arrived at the Arch Rock Entrance at 11am and, surprisingly, there was no wait to get into the park. Given the gorgeous weather and it being the first day of Firefall, I expected longer lines, but that wasn’t the case.
That said, popular viewpoints like Tunnel View, Valley View, Bridalveil Fall Trail, Sentinel Bridge, and Lower Yosemite Falls Trail did have decent crowds throughout the day. Still, it was nothing compared to the summer months. If you’re planning to visit next weekend, don’t be surprised to experience the park with crowds. As we get closer to the prime Firefall viewing (Feb 18-23), I’m sure more people will be making the trek up, especially if weather conditions are favorable.
Horsetail Fall “Firefall” natural phenomenon in Yosemite Valley
Firefall Experience: First Day Recap
The conditions for Horsetail Fall’s Firefall were fairly good. The skies were clear (a must for the event), and just before sunset, a few small clouds gathered above El Capitan, adding some drama and interest to photos. Water flow wasn’t intense, but it was just enough to create the Firefall illusion, with that glowing orange and red light cascading down the granite.
Pro Tip: Instead of parking at the official lot near Yosemite Valley Lodge, I parked at El Capitan Meadow, which is about half the distance to the Firefall viewing area—but from the opposite direction. If you want to try this, plan to arrive 2–3 hours early to grab a spot.
Another Tip: Head a little east of the El Capitan Picnic Area, where you’ll get more of a profile view of Horsetail Fall. This angle makes the fiery effect much more dramatic.
For more details on best viewing spots, tips, and what to bring, check out my Complete 2025 Firefall Visitors Guide.
Northside Drive one lane pedestrian traffic with Firefall closures
Know Before You Go
• If you’re planning an upcoming trip to Yosemite, it’s incredibly important to visit the official Yosemite NPS website prior to your trip for the most up-to-date park information, as conditions and closures may be changing daily due to weather.
• Call (209) 372-0200 (press 1, then 1) for the latest tire chain requirements in Yosemite National Park.
• If you’re planning to visit Yosemite in the coming weeks, be aware that you may need pre-purchased Yosemite National Park entrance reservations at Recreation.gov (or in-park lodging) due to the 2025 Firefall season. Reservations are required for all visitors (whether you’re planning on viewing the Firefall or not) for the following weekend dates: February 8–9, 15–17, and 22–23. Reservations are not required if you plan to arrive on a Monday through Friday during this time (with the exception of Presidents Day, Monday 2/17)...just make sure to keep your receipt of entrance, which is good for 7 consecutive days from first arrival. Visit the official Yosemite NPS website for more information and check out my Complete 2025 Firefall Visitors Guide.
• Please remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints. Pack out everything you pack in and stay on the designated paths. If you’re not familiar with the Leave No Trace Principles consider familiarizing yourself with them before your trip.
Top 10 Yosemite Valley Winter Attractions
Yosemite Valley Chapel
Sentinel Bridge
Curry Village Ice Rink
Upper Yosemite Falls seen from Sentinel Meadow in Yosemite
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining this me this week inside Yosemite National Park. For a virtual visit of my Firefall experience this weekend, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video located at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Ribbon Fall in Yosemite National Park
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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