Book a Guided Trip With a Local Lodge to Skip Busy Parking Lots
By Mary Beth Skylis, February 7, 2026
Every year, rain and snow runoff slip down the eastern face of El Capitan, creating a narrow waterfall that drops over two thousand feet to the valley. In February, for about a two week period, the setting sun lights the waterfall aglow with orange hues for about eight minutes, creating one of the most breathtaking, and sought-after, national park experiences that’s over in the blink of an eye. The resulting “firefall” attracts thousands of visitors into the park every year, creating long lines and parking congestion throughout the park.
Amidst growing concerns about overcrowding, Groveland-based Rush creek Lodge, and Evergreen Lodge are offering a shuttle for the third year in a row, which includes a guided tour from a naturalist, and dinner to a limited number of participants who want to see the firefall via the Yosemite Firefall Express. A guided service like this one, helps to simplify the travel process while ensuring that visitors are comfortable and in the right spot for the spectacle when the sun dips below the horizon. Participants do not have to stay at either property in order to take advantage of the shuttle services.
