Yosemite Valley Firefall Tour
Family Friendly Trips
3 Days, 2 Nights 15MI / 24KM
Trip Highlights
Yosemite National Park’s spectacular phenomenon known as “firefall” occurs each February. Shortly before sunset, the setting sun lights up the thin sliver of Horsetail Falls, and turns the iconic waterfall into a brilliant, molten orange color. Visitors from across the country and the world flock to Yosemite to witness this mesmerizing event. On our 3-day “Yosemite Firefall Tour” we combine an overall hiking and sightseeing experience of Yosemite Valley with opportunities each evening to witness and capture Firefall!
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Famous Yosemite Firefall
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Unforgettable Hikes
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Spectacular Views
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Iconic Waterfalls
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Premier Lodging
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All-inclusive Tour
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Family Friendly Trips -
Trip Length
3 Days, 2 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 6 miles -
Group Size
2-6 Guests
Receive a PDF info packet via email which includes:
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip follows well maintained trails. Some concerns include loose dirt, large stepping stones and tree roots. The top of Vernal/Nevada falls has exposed vertical drops with safety railings in place. Trails can be icy or snowy on this trip so be prepared to careful with your footing on variable surfaces.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Shuttle: 45-60 minutes each way
Hiking Mileage: 3 miles
Elevation Gain: 1130 feet
Elevation Loss: 1130 feet
On this Yosemite hiking tour, we’ll start our trip with a hike to see two of Yosemite’s crown jewels, Vernal and Nevada Falls. While many of Yosemite’s hikes are centered on a final destination, today’s route features stunning views the whole way, from Upper Yosemite Falls across the Valley, to the phenomenal granite heights of Liberty Cap, Grizzly Peak, the Panorama Cliffs, Sentinel Dome, Glacier Point and even Half Dome soaring above our heads.
We’ll make it back down in time to get a great spot to witness the spectacular Firefall at sunset. After the sun sets we’ll drive back to Autocamp Yosemite and get settled in our accommodations and have a chance to shower. We’ll reconvene in the evening for a delicious dinner.
Day 2
Shuttle: 45-60 minutes each way
Hiking Mileage: variable
Elevation Loss: variable
Accommodations: Autocamp Yosemite
Today we start with hot coffee or tea and breakfast It’s a very special day as our goal is to explore the hidden gems of Yosemite Valley. We’ll follow parts of the Valley Loop trail to areas rarely seen by the casual tourist. We’ll experience unique and up close views of Half Dome, El Capitan, the Merced River and Yosemite’s famous waterfalls enhanced with a glittering facade of ice. Either on snowshoes or with our hiking boots, depending on conditions, we’ll tailor our day to make the most of this most incredible Valley, and cap it off with another opportunity to witness and photograph Firefall.
After the sun sets, we’ll return to our accommodations, clean up and enjoy a tasty dinner together.
Day 3
Shuttle: 45-60 minutes each way
Hiking Mileage: 6 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1200 feet
On our final day, we’ll pack up and enjoy a hearty breakfast before leaving our cozy accommodation among the pines. We’ll turn south and enjoy one last, special treat. Today’s hike takes us into Yosemite’s biggest trees – the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. We’ll hike the lower and upper loops, which provide for a wonderful morning of hiking. We’ll visit the 2700 year old Grizzly Giant, the 25th largest tree on earth, as well as many other of these giants. We’ll also get an unparalleled view of Wawona Valley, another of Yosemite’s special places.
After our hike and lunch we’ll contemplate the unforgettable time we’ve just experienced, and most likely start hatching new plans for future trips to more special places like Yosemite!
What's Included
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2 nights of lodging at Autocamp Yosemite
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Use of trekking poles and snowshoes
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All meals are included from breakfast on Day 1 through lunch on the last day
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Transportation for the duration of the tour (starting and ending from Autocamp Yosemite)
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
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Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Yosemite
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Alcoholic beverages
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
Autocamp Yosemite
2 NIGHTS
Autocamp’s wonderfully unique lodging experience features deluxe Airstreams with spa-inspired bathrooms and chic interiors. Each unit has a private patio and campfire area. The Autocamp Yosemite clubhouse is a modern mid-century facility where we enjoy home-cooked dinners.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
You’ll meet your hiking guide and group at Autocamp Yosemite between 6 and 9 AM the morning the trip begins. If you will not have your own vehicle, we can also pick you up in Yosemite National Park or in Mariposa, California. Your guide will be in contact approximately 2 weeks before your trip and will provide directions to Autocamp. You can leave your vehicle parked at Autocamp for the duration of the tour.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed informatio
Travel to Autocamp Yosemite
You’ll meet your hiking guide and group at Autocamp Yosemite between 6 and 9 AM the morning the trip begins. If you will not have your own vehicle, we can also pick you up in Yosemite National Park (at Curry Village) or in Mariposa, California. Your guide will be in contact approximately 2 weeks before your trip and will provide directions to Autocamp. You can leave your vehicle parked at Autocamp for the duration of the tour.
Most of our guests drive personal or rental vehicles to Autocamp Yosemite, but you can also travel to and from Yosemite National Park using train and bus options from much of California:
From Fresno: Yosemite Area Rapid Transit (YARTS) is offering 1 bus ride each direction from Fresno to Yosemite Valley.
From Other California Cities through Merced: by rail on the Amtrak San Joaquin Train to the city of Merced (serviced by most large cities in California) or by Amtrak “Thruway” Bus Service from Merced to Yosemite Valley. To book your trip, use Amtrak’s Online Reservation Service to book round-trip Amtrak travel to “YOS” (Yosemite Valley).
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s rendezvous time, generally, you can expect it to be between 6 and 9 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will be done hiking normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time) on the final day.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
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