Horsetail Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
| Address: | Horsetail Fall, California 95389, USA |
| GPS: |
37°43'44.8"N 119°37'42.5"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | California |
| Trail Length: | 1.50 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| Hike Difficulty: | Easiest |
Waterfalls National Park
Hike
Horsetail Falls is located near El Capitan Valley in Yosemite. Around mid to late February, the fall gains popularity due to the way the orange glow of the sunset radiates off of it. In order to witness this "firefall" phenomenon, there has to be enough snowmelt for the water to flow, and the sky has to be clear. Even a small amount of clouds could reduce the effect or eliminate it altogether.
While it is possible to view from the car, permits are now required to park at the viewing spot. You can reserve a parking permit online, but there are only 250 available. If the permits run out before you can grab one, or you'd rather walk, you can take the short walk from Yosemite Valley Lodge.
The hike is 1.5 miles from the lodge to the viewing spot and runs along Northside Drive. An extra .4 miles will take you to the El Capitan Picnic Area, where picnic tables are available, so you can watch the "firefall" and enjoy a meal. Because the phenomenon happens at night, be sure to prepare accordingly. You should take a flashlight, jacket, and gloves. The average low temperature in February is 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
More Information
Yosemite National Park Itinerary
This Yosemite National Park Itinerary will help you get started as you plan your vacation to Yosemite National Park.
https://www.justgotravelstudios.com/collections/national-park-itineraries/products/yosemite-national-park-itinerary?ref=9zpxis0diinBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
- Head southwest on Northside Dr toward Cook's Meadow LoopToll road(2.6 mi)
Yosemite Valley Lodge is accessible at shuttle stop #8
Other Hiking Trails Nearby
Ribbon Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
0.7 miles SWThe longest single-drop waterfall in North America at 1,612 feet — seasonal and best seen in late morning when the sun hits it directly, visible from El Capitan Road as you enter Yosemite Valley.
Hike 15.9 mi
Valley Loop Trail
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
1.2 miles NEAn 11.5-mile loop trail through the heart of Yosemite Valley following the Merced River past wildflower meadows, the Three Brothers, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Falls — with nearly no elevation gain.
Hike 0.2 mi
Bridalveil Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
1.3 miles SWA 620-foot waterfall that flows year-round and soaks onlookers with mist — Bridalveil Falls is just a quick half-mile paved walk from the trailhead, wheelchair accessible and pet friendly.
Hike 1.2 mi
Taft Point
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
1.7 miles SEA 5-mile Yosemite loop pairing Sentinel Dome with Taft Point, offering El Capitan views, dramatic cliff fissures, and 3,000-foot valley vistas — no guard rails, so watch your footing.
Hike 0.8 mi
Lower Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
2.1 miles NEA short, flat walk to the base of a 3,967-foot waterfall — twice the height of the Empire State Building and one of North America's tallest, best visited in spring or early summer before it dries.
Hike 0.7 mi
Cook's Meadow Loop
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
2.2 miles NEA nearly 1-mile, nearly flat loop in Sentinel Meadow with close-up views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Sentinel Rock — Yosemite's best easy walk.
Hike 4.6 mi
Four Mile Trail
Yosemite National Park
2.3 miles EA 4.7-mile one-way hike connecting Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point with views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, and the Royal Arches — best visited in spring when the falls run full.
Hike 0.3 mi
Glacier Point
Yosemite National Park
3.0 miles EPerched at 7,214 feet above Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point delivers bird's-eye views of Half Dome, El Capitan, and multiple waterfalls — accessible by car or a 4.7-mile hike.
Hike 2.9 mi
Upper Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
3.0 miles NEThe tallest waterfall in North America at 2,425 feet — a 7.2-mile, 2,600-ft-gain hike to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls with stunning valley views along the way.
Hike 0.4-2.1 mi
Illilouette Falls
Yosemite West, Yosemite National Park
3.8 miles EA 4-mile hike starting downhill from Glacier Point to a footbridge view of Illilouette Falls — with a side trip on the quieter Panorama Trail adding Half Dome and Nevada Falls views.
Hike 1.9-2.9 mi
Mist Trail
Yosemite National Park
3.9 miles EA steep, mist-soaked Yosemite staircase hike climbing 639 stone steps past Vernal and Nevada Falls — with Half Dome, Whitecap, and Mt. Broderick views from the switchbacks above.
Backpack, Hike 0.5 mi
McGurk Meadow
Yosemite National Park
4.1 miles SA flat, 0.8-mile walk through one of Yosemite's most secluded wildflower meadows, complete with a brook and a historic 1800s cabin — few visitors, pure charm.
Hike 4.1 mi
North Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
4.2 miles NEA strenuous 10.4-mile hike through Yosemite forest to North Dome, rewarding hikers with the best straight-on view of Half Dome from 7,450 feet — plus a 0.6-mile detour to a 15-foot granite arch.
Backpack, Hike
Mirror Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
4.5 miles EA paved, car-free trail winds to this seasonal lake at the base of Half Dome, offering a still mirror reflection and a popular summer swimming hole.
Backpack, Hike, Swim 1.7 mi
Mono Meadow
Yosemite West, Yosemite National Park
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Hike 2.1 mi
Snow Creek Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
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Backpack, Hike 1.9 mi
Half Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
6.4 miles EA grueling 14-mile round-trip hike with 4,800 feet of gain to the summit of Half Dome, including a cable section in the final 400 feet — a permit is required and a sunrise start is essential.
Hike 5.5 mi
Ostrander Lake
Wawona, California
8.4 miles SEAn 11.4-mile Yosemite hike to a semi-secluded swim lake surrounded by granite mountains — wildflowers, streams, and meadows in summer; open for cross-country skiing in winter via Ostrander Lodge.
Hike, Swim 0.7 mi
Lukens Lake
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
8.4 miles NA short 1.6-mile forest walk to a secluded lake famous for the luminescent shooting stars visible while you swim, plus a wildflower meadow that peaks in July.
Hike, Swim
Crane Flat
Big Oak Flat, Yosemite National Park
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Backpack, Camp, Hike, SnowshoeNearby Campsites
Merced River
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
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Camp, Swim, Whitewater
Crane Flat
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Backpack, Camp, Hike, Snowshoe 5.7 mi
Ten Lakes
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Backpack, Camp, Hike 6.1 mi
Glen Aulin
Wawona, California
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Backpack, Camp, Hike
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Tuolumne Meadows
Tuolumne County, California
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Camp, Hike
Briceburg Recreation Area
Midpines, California
21.5 miles SWBriceburg is where State Route 140 drops out of the Sierra foothills and meets the Wild and Scenic Merced River, twelve miles east of Mariposa on the road to Yosemite, and it's one of the best public...
Camp, Kayak, Swim 4.0 mi
Saddlebag Lake
Lee Vining, California
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Camp, Canoe, Hike
Crystal Lake
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Camp, Hike
Standish Hickey Area
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Wild Willy's Hot Spring
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Crowley Lake Campground
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Camp
