The Best Places to Stay for Yosemite’s Firefall

Chasing Yosemite’s natural Firefall is an annual rite of February when the perfect alignment of clear Sierra sky, luminous sunset light, and ample water flow gives Horsetail Fall a molten effect as it plummets over the edge of El Capitan.  Having evolved from the original Firefall — a spectacle once created by pushing burning embers over Glacier Point — today’s Firefall is a much-anticipated (and less dangerous!) natural phenomenon.

Firefall is well worth the planning required to experience it fully.  Because of its perennial popularity, special event Park entry requirements are required each February.  Also important: booking a place to stay within reasonable driving distance of Horsetail Fall. 

Firefall Lodging Inside Yosemite National Park

During the Yosemite Firefall event, Park entry is included in your reservation when staying inside Yosemite National Park. On the flip side, this creates additional demand, and reservations can book quickly, especially for February weekends.  Plan accordingly!

Firefall Lodging in Yosemite Valley

For Firefall, the closer, the better, which means Yosemite Valley. There’s no overnight option closer to Horsetail Fall than the Yosemite Valley Lodge.  Located across Northside Drive from Yosemite Falls, Yosemite Valley Lodge offers a welcoming array of room types for couples and families, and dining options from cafeteria-style to sit-down to make it the perfect place for your Firefall base camp. There’s even a Starbucks on site. The parking lot for Yosemite Valley Lodge is also the suggested parking place for Firefall watchers.

The Ahwahnee is considered by many to be the pinnacle of Yosemite National Park accommodations.  Upon opening its doors in 1927, the Ahwahnee became a crown jewel among national park lodges. Today, it’s an iconic National Historic Landmark. Inside the massive front doors, public spaces like The Ahwahnee Dining Room and Great Lounge are wonderful places to linger, with soaring ceilings, natural stone fireplaces, hand-carved furniture, and stained-glass windows.  Guest rooms and suites capture the fascinating details of the property’s illustrious past.  To top it off, getting to Firefall from the Ahwahnee is easy with a Yosemite Valley Shuttle stop on the property for easy transportation to the show.   

Founded in 1899, Curry Village reflects the trademark hospitality of its founders, David and Jennie “Mother” Curry. One can imagine Curry guests back in the day wandering toward the base of Glacier Peak to see the original Firefall, ashes floating down from on high.  Today, Curry Village is an authentic only-in-Yosemite address featuring standard hotel rooms, wood cabins, and heated wood-framed canvas tent cabins.  Numerous dining options and activities are available year-round.  There’s a major parking lot and Yosemite Valley Shuttle stops on-site for Firefall transportation.

Yosemite West and Wawona Firefall Lodging

Vacation rentals inside the Park put you close to the Firefall action.  In the Glacier Point Road region, Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders offers over 100 private cabins, condos, and homes, most in the well-located enclave of Yosemite West just 17 miles from Yosemite Valley.  Extra-curricular bonus:  Yosemite West is just seven miles from the historic Badger Pass Ski Area.

Southern Yosemite’s Wawona is a time-honored winter destination. When the Southern Miwuk traveled between the Mariposa County foothills and Yosemite Valley, Wawona was the halfway point of their journey. Its 4,000 feet of elevation, mild year-round weather, and expansive meadows still make it a great place to stay.

For Firefall, Wawona offers a burgeoning collection of vacation rentals, including 125 cabins from The Redwoods in Yosemite.  Many are pet-friendly, and some offer amenities such as hot tubs and EV chargers.  Returning from Firefall to a cozy cabin with a rustic stone fireplace and a modern kitchen where you can create a celebratory dinner is the perfect way to close out an amazing day.  Part of Yosemite National Park, all Glacier Point and Wawona rentals also include vehicle reservations. 

Foresta Lodging for Firefall

The hidden hamlet of Foresta is a Northern Yosemite gem. This quiet cluster of cabins and vacation rentals is just seven miles from Yosemite Valley’s west end, offering views of Half Dome and El Capitan in the distance.  Foresta (elevation 4,300 feet) offers toasty digs just under 10 miles from Firefall viewing at El Capitan Picnic Area. Be sure to book early — demand for Foresta accommodations outpaces availability due to its unique Yosemite National Park location.

Yosemite Camping for Firefall

Camp 4 and Upper Pines in Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and Hodgdon campgrounds are all available as camping options for Firefall travelers.  Because of the high demand, reservations are required (minimum two nights) during Firefall weekends.  For those who secure one of these in-park campsites, no additional vehicle reservation is required. 

Lodging Outside Yosemite National Park

For those willing to stay in less proximity to the Firefall viewing area, Yosemite Mariposa County gateway lodging properties offer distinct advantages. Though your drive will be longer, overnight options outside the Park present signature benefits:  affordability and availability.

El Portal Lodging

El Portal is the community that stretches along Highway 140 just a few miles from Yosemite’s Arch Rock Entrance, with some of the closest lodging to Yosemite Valley that’s outside the Park.

For example, the riverfront Yosemite View Lodge is just 16 miles from the Firefall viewing area at El Capitan Picnic Area Firefall viewing area.  Many rooms offer personal balconies overlooking the Merced River, and Yosemite View Lodge flows with amenities including two restaurant options, seven hot tub spas, a convenience store, and 120v outlets in the parking lot for EV charging.

Another prime place to stay in El Portal is the Merced River-adjacent Yosemite Cedar Lodge, which perennially scores high marks for family travelers and is eight scenic miles from the Park’s Arch Rock Entrance with Yosemite Valley just beyond.

Fish Camp Lodging

Slightly further afield from Yosemite Valley is one of the top destination resorts in the Sierra Nevada, Tenaya at Yosemite. Tenaya is worth the drive to Firefall and offers three distinct guest experiences, including the Lodge, the Cottages, and the Explorer Cabins.   A base camp for winter recreation, Tenaya’s on-property activities include snowshoeing, ice skating, sledding, and more. If conditions don’t prevail for Firefall, you’ll have many fallback activity options nearby, including Goat Meadow Snow Play Area and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.

Responsible Travelers Rule

The environment of Yosemite Mariposa County is titanic, epic, extraordinary – and fragile.  While we’ve come a long way from the original Firefall’s pyrotechnics above Yosemite Valley, there’s always more we can do to protect Yosemite National Park, today and tomorrow. Firefall is a perfect reminder – and opportunity – to follow the responsible travel tips like Nature Rules, and show your appreciation for this natural wonder.