Firefall in Late February & Early March? **Current Yosemite Conditions**
Hi friends! Last weekend marked the end of Yosemite’s official Horsetail Fall “Firefall” season, but did you know that the Firefall phenomenon continues through the end of February, and even into the first week of March?! That’s right! Last week I spent some time in the park, exploring the Yosemite Valley and enjoying an incredible Firefall — which turned out to be one of my all-time favorites. So today I’m sharing my Yosemite current conditions report, including snow, waterfalls, and crowds, as well as what it’s like to view Firefall after the official season has ended.
You’ve also likely heard of all the news about national park staff cuts and the protests that are going on in Yosemite National Park and across the country. Below I’m including some actionable steps you can take to help care for our parks along with the incredible rangers and staff that care for them.
NOTE: All photos in this post were taken on Wednesday, 2/26/25.
Late February Firefall in Yosemite National Park
Bridalveil Fall & Merced River Gorge seen from Big Oak Flat Vista Point
Road Conditions
During my trip last week, all open roads in Yosemite were rated R-0, which means no restrictions, but with the large storm that came in yesterday, the Yosemite Valley is currently R-1 and Big Oak Flat Road is R-2. These ratings can change hourly, and keep in mind that visitors are required to carry tire chains in their vehicles at all times during the winter season, even when the weather is mild. Last week there was also some road work and tree clearing along Big Oak Flat Road, where cars were stopped for a short time, but the delay was minimal.
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
Tunnel View in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite Falls & Merced River from Yosemite Valley Swinging Bridge
Winter Conditions in Yosemite Valley
As you can see in the photos, there was barely any visible snow. Some of the peaks were dusted in white, but the valley floor was completely dry. The temperatures during my visit were in the low 70s, which is highly unusual for this time of year. However, over the weekend, the park received some much-needed precipitation, so hopefully that contributed to the snowpack at higher elevations. Keep an eye on the forecast if you’re visiting the park in the next week or two, as colder temps and more precipitation is expected.
Yosemite Falls along Lower Yosemite Falls Trail
Waterfalls Update
With the warmer temps, the melting snowpack in the high country has brought some impressive flow into the valley waterfalls. Here’s a breakdown of the waterfall conditions currently:
Bridalveil Fall: Bridalveil Fall is flowing well for this time of year. Hikers visiting the base of the fall will experience some mist, and the waterfall looks great from multiple viewpoints, including Tunnel View, Valley View, and the Big Oak Flat Vista Point.
The Cascades & Wildcat Falls: These two waterfalls are flowing nicely right now. I always love stopping off at the viewing area near the base of The Cascades when I enter along Highway 140 through El Portal. And with zero concerns of icy road conditions last week, I enjoyed heading up to see more of The Cascades along Big Oak Flat Road.
Ribbon Fall: This tallest single drop waterfall in North America has a small flow right now, which is a lot for the winter season. You can get great views of it to the left of El Capitan from the Bridalveil Fall area along Southside Drive.
Yosemite Falls: Both the upper and lower falls are flowing incredibly strong right now. The upper falls make for spectacular pictures from around the valley, including Swinging Bridge, Sentinel Meadow, the Yosemite Valley Chapel, and Cook’s Meadow.
Horsetail Fall (Firefall): During the morning hours, Horsetail Fall is a trickle, which is quite common. However, as the afternoon sun melts the snowpack above El Capitan, this waterfall truly comes to life with some wonderful mist (adding to the fire illusion). Continue reading below for more on Firefall in late February and early March.
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.
Bridalveil Fall seen from Valley View in Yosemite National Park
Park Crowds
With the official Firefall season over, the park was extremely quiet. The popular viewpoints and trails, like Tunnel View and Lower Yosemite Falls had some people, but it wasn’t bad at all. I was able to enter the park, find parking, and enjoy the views without a hitch.
In terms of Firefall viewing, there were no restrictions in place, meaning visitors could explore the park as usual. The El Capitan Picnic Area was full by 3pm with people setting up for Firefall, and both lanes of Northside Drive were drivable. As we exited the park in the evening, there were several people walking along Northside Drive in the dark after the Firefall, so both drivers and pedestrians should use extreme caution.
Firefall in late February seen from Merced River in Yosemite Valley
Horsetail Fall “Firefall” seen in late February in Yosemite National Park
Firefall Experience: Last Week of February
The conditions for Firefall last week were ideal. The skies were clear and Horsetail Fall was flowing incredibly well at sunset, with huge plumes of fiery mist billowing off the granite. It was truly one of the best Firefall experiences I’ve had. I’ve heard that the Firefall illusion can even continue into the first week of March if conditions allow. Below are the Pros & Cons of attempting to see Firefall after the official season has ended.
Pro: All park restrictions have been lifted! During the official viewing season, the NPS blocks off much of the valley in an effort to protect the fragile environment from hoards of people crowding the riverbanks and meadows. But in the last week of February, visitors are free to park and explore the Yosemite Valley as usual. This means you can park at the El Capitan Picnic Area and avoid a long walk to the official Firefall viewing area. Photographers can also venture out to the edge of the Merced River along Southside Drive for a remarkable view, which is what Nate and I did last week! This provided some unique views and perspectives that most visitors miss out on.
Pro: All the park crowds have left! Most visitors assume the Firefall illusion stops happening once the restrictions are lifted, meaning you get to enjoy this phenomenon with just a handful of photographers and seasoned Yosemite enthusiasts.
Pro: No reservations are needed! If the weather looks favorable, you can make a last minute decision to head up to the park and soak in a Firefall.
Con: The alignment of the setting sunlight gradually narrows and shifts to the right of Horsetail Fall as the days go on, meaning you may not get a deep dark lava-like illusion. However, if you position yourself at more of a profile (rather than straight on), you’ll still get quite a show!
For more details on best viewing spots, tips, and what to bring, check out my Complete Firefall Visitors Guide.
Yosemite Road Crew working along Big Oak Flat Road
NPS Staffing Cuts & What We Can Do
Over the weekend, there were protests and rallies at many of our national parks in response to the widespread ranger and staff cuts. No matter what your political views are, the reality is our nation’s parks are often overcrowded during the busy summer months, and the potential of any staffing shortages can leave these natural treasures in a vulnerable state...and sadly, last week I saw how the park is already experiencing some of this. The ranger station at the Arch Rock Entrance was left unattended when I entered the park at 11am, and I saw trash carelessly discarded in multiple locations.
So, what can we do in response? If you want to help somehow, but you’re unsure where to begin, below are a few actionable steps you can take right now and in the coming months:
Donate to Trusted Foundations: Help protect our national treasures by donating to reliable non-profits, like the National Park Foundation and the Yosemite Conservancy.
Make Your Voice Heard: Contact your local representatives and consider signing the National Parks Conservation Association’s petition to restore national park jobs, which will be shared with Congress.
Volunteer: Volunteers are integral in helping keep our public lands maintained, and any contributions this year in particular will be much appreciated. The Yosemite Conservancy has several opportunities throughout the year to volunteer, and the Yosemite Climbing Associated hosts an annual cleanup event each year called the Yosemite Facelift.
Leave No Trace: Do your part to minimize your impact when you visit Yosemite and other public lands this year by honoring the Leave No Trace principles. Consider familiarizing yourself with all seven principles before you head out in nature this year.
El Capitan & Half Dome seen from Wawona Road just west of Wawona Tunnel
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.
• Even though the park crowds have largely dissipated, it’s still a good idea to find and claim your Firefall viewing spot at least a couple hours early. By 3pm, most photographers are getting set up for the evening.
• No reservations are currently required to enter Yosemite National Park. The 2025 Firefall reservation system has ended, and reservations for the summer season have not been announced yet. Visit the official Yosemite NPS website and Recreation.gov for more information.
• 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.
• For more info on the Firefall phenomenon, check out my Complete Firefall Visitors Guide.
Top 10 Yosemite Valley Winter Attractions
Yosemite Valley Chapel
Sentinel Bridge
Curry Village Ice Rink
Late February Firefall seen from Merced River along Southside Drive
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining this me this week inside Yosemite National Park. For a virtual visit of my Firefall experience last week, 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.
Bridalveil 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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