Skip to content
The Waterfall Map
Pacific

Horsetail Fall, California

Inside  Yosemite National Park  · $35 entrance
Horsetail Fall, California
Photo: Ambitious Wench · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Height1542 ft
Entry$35

Horsetail Fall, located in Yosemite National Park in California, is a seasonal waterfall that flows in the winter and early spring. The fall occurs on the east side of El Capitan. If Horsetail Fall is flowing in February and the weather conditions are just right, the setting sun illuminates the waterfall, making it glow orange and red. This natural phenomenon is often referred to as the "Firefall", a name that pays homage to Yosemite Firefall, the manmade event that once took place in Yosemite.

Getting there

Map & directions

Good to know

Frequently asked

How tall is Horsetail Fall?
Horsetail Fall drops 1542 feet (470 m).
Is Horsetail Fall in a national park?
Yes — Horsetail Fall falls within Yosemite National Park. The entrance fee is $35.
Location: © OpenStreetMap contributors Description: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) Photo: Ambitious Wench · CC BY-SA 2.0 Park: National Park Service
Same park

More falls in Yosemite National Park

Within 2 miles

Waterfalls nearby

No photo yet

Sentinel Fall

Pacific, California
1936 ft Hike Trail