Trip Ideas National Parks Rare 'Firefall' Makes Its Return to Yosemite for Just a Few Weeks (Video) By Talia Avakian Talia Avakian Website Talia Avakian is a lifestyle reporter with nearly a decade of experience writing digital and print content for noted national and international travel publications. She began her career in travel reporting at BBC Travel, where she covered news and features of global destinations, later working as a travel reporter at Business Insider and as a digital news reporter for Travel + Leisure. During her time at Travel + Leisure, she has covered airlines, hotels, new product launches for travelers, natural phenomena travelers can witness, new experience launches, and more. Her work has also appeared in The Independent, Time, Food & Wine, Fortune, Essence, and Departures, among others. Talia is currently a freelance lifestyle reporter in Los Angeles, where she covers content ranging from outdoor getaways, hotels, and transportation to food and experiential offerings at destinations across the globe. She has gone behind the scenes with airlines to learn about flight attendant training, scaled remote mountainsides at far-flung hotels, gone inside the inner workers of Air Force jets, shared the history of Frank Sinatra's favorite New York restaurant hideaway, documented what life is like inside the world's largest residential airpark, and more. She loves discovering unknown perks travelers can access and adventures they can take part in no matter where they go, sharing inside looks at offerings from around the world to help every traveler get the best out of each journey. * 9+ years of experience working as a travel reporter * Stories published and syndicated across over 50 national and international publications * Appeared as a travel expert on Cheddar to discuss emerging travel trends * Received a master's degree in multimedia reporting from the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at New York University Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on February 13, 2019 Share Tweet Pin Email California’s Yosemite National Park is famous for its collection of stunning waterfalls, but for roughly two weeks in mid-to-late February, Horsetail Fall puts on the most magnificent show of all. Horsetail Fall, located on the eastern edge of El Capitan in the Yosemite Valley, only flows in the winter and early spring. When the setting sun strikes the waterfall in February, it douses the water in an orange glow that makes it seem as though fire is streaming down the rock formations. Daniel Griffith/Getty Images The magnificent glow is an eye-catching illusion known as a “firefall,” with its name drawing back to the manmade Firefall that used to occur at Glacier Point in the park. During the late 1800s, campfires built near the edge of Glacier Point were pushed off the edge to create the illusion of a flowing fire stream, later becoming a popular tourist attraction until it was eventually stopped due to fire hazards. The 2019 viewing season is projected to run from now through Feb. 24 and peak next week, according to Yosemite National Park spokesperson Jamie Richards. Visitors will want to note, however, that there’s no guarantee of catching the phenomenon on a specific day. For the illusion to occur, there needs to be clear skies and enough snowfall to allow the fall to flow. But those who do happen to be there at the right time are in for an unforgettable view. A photo of the phenomenon taken in years past shows what the fall looks like during the display. . Piriya Photography/Getty Images While the National Park Service had set up a reservation process for those who wanted to see the phenomenon in 2018, the park is skipping the reservations process this year and keeping it open to the public. Visitors will have to be willing to hike, though, as the closest parking options will be at least a mile away from viewpoints. Related: This Couple Went to Every National Park in America and Says These Are the Best No stopping or parking will be allowed at either Southside Drive between the El Capitan Crossover and Swinging Bridge or at Northside Drive between Camp 4 and the El Capitan Crossover. Instead, the closest parking options will be in the Yosemite Falls Parking Area near the Yosemite Valley Lodge, which is why park representatives advise that people come prepared with warm clothing, boots, and either a headlamp or flashlight for safety. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit