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How to see Yosemite’s rare “firefall” in 2026

Emily Murphy Emily Murphy
A fiery optical illusion is drawing crowds to Yosemite National Park.

Each February, nature delivers a showstopper at Yosemite National Park. Horsetail Fall transforms into a glowing, lava-like cascade, nicknamed the “firefall", as the setting sun hits the waterfall just right, making it look as though flames are tumbling down the cliffs of El Capitan. This natural wonder is brief, breathtaking and highly sought after. Here’s your guide to seeing it in 2026.

What is Yosemite’s firefall?

Horsetail Fall is a seasonal waterfall that flows down the eastern face of El Capitan in winter and early spring. When conditions align – clear skies, enough water flowing and the perfect angle of sunlight – the fall reflects the fiery hues of the sunset, creating the famous firefall effect. This phenomenon usually occurs for about two weeks in mid- to late-February, making it one of the most anticipated events in Yosemite.

How to see the firefall in 2026

An aerial of Yosemite Horsetail Fire Falls
A fiery optical illusion is drawing crowds to Yosemite National Park. (Image: Getty Images/wirestock)

If conditions align, February 2026 is shaping up to be an excellent year to see Yosemite’s famous firefall.

The strongest window runs from 19 to 23 February, when the phenomenon is forecast to reach 100 per cent quality, with 21 February expected to deliver peak intensity. These are the dates when the angle of the setting sun is most likely to ignite Horsetail Fall in glowing shades of orange and gold.

Still worth planning around are the shoulder dates from 15-18 February and 24-26 February, which are expected to deliver around 85 per cent quality. Even the outer edges of the season, 10-14 February and 27-28 February, can produce a visible firefall at roughly 60 per cent quality, provided conditions cooperate.

Each evening, the moment you are waiting for is brief. Peak viewing happens around sunset, roughly 5.28-5.38pm PST, when a 10-minute golden window can transform the waterfall into something that looks molten. However, timing can vary based on the weather, so keeping an eye on forecasts is key.

1. Choose your viewing spot wisely

The best viewpoints for the firefall are on the valley floor, specifically the El Capitan Picnic Area, which offers unobstructed views. Arrive early, as parking fills up fast, and you’ll need to walk 2.4 kilometres each way to the viewing spot.

2. Pack the essentials

If you’re planning to capture the perfect shot, bring a camera with a zoom lens, a tripod and extra batteries (the cold can drain them quickly). Snacks, water, a torch for the trek back to your car, and a warm jacket are also must-haves.

What to expect in 2026

Yosemite Firefall at Sunset, Yosemite National Park
The firefall is a photographer’s dream. (Image: Getty Images/heyengel)

The firefall is a photographer’s dream, but it’s also a fleeting moment. The vivid orange and red glow lasts only about 10 minutes each evening, so be ready to soak it in – or snap that perfect shot – when the magic happens.

Crowds will be large, so patience is crucial, but the reward is a once-in-a-lifetime visual spectacle that will leave you speechless.

Pro tips for a memorable visit

Avoid weekends: Weekdays are generally less crowded.

Stay nearby: Accommodation inside Yosemite or in nearby towns like Mariposa and El Portal will save you hours of driving.

Check conditions: Clear skies are essential, so flexibility in your travel dates is helpful.

Don’t miss your chance to witness one of nature’s most surreal displays in 2026. Yosemite’s firefall is not just a phenomenon – it’s an experience that will set your wanderlust ablaze.

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Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is International Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore the world. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring under-the-radar destinations. Next on her travel wish list? Mexico and an African safari.
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5 things every hotel needs for a more restorative stay

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
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    Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

    The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

    1. Easy access to good food

    meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20
    Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

    One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

    In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

    In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

    Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

    At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

    While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

    It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

    2. Better sleep options

    Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room
    Sleep deeply with Novotel.

    There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

    For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

    The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

    3. More ways to move

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    Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

    Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

    At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

    Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

    4. Better connections

    Novotel Sharm El Sheikh
    Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

    One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

    Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

    A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

    5. Location is everything

    Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld
    Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

    Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

    All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

    Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.