Beyond Firefall: More Things To Do In Yosemite This February

The alpine alchemy that is the natural Yosemite Firefall has captured visitors’ imaginations from across the globe. Indeed, having the interplay of snowmelt, weather conditions and the angle of the sun come together to appear as a ribbon of fire is hard to resist for science nerds and tourists alike.  But with great spectacle comes great popularity, and actually seeing the Firefall in person requires a fair bit of planning (not to mention good weather luck).

But rest assured, the Firefall is just a small part of February fun in Yosemite Mariposa County.  With activities such as skiing, museum hopping and visiting historic Gold Rush gateways, there are plenty of things to do this winter for travelers in the know.

A Note About Firefall Reservations

Because of Firefall’s popularity, Yosemite National Park institutes a reservation system for certain days in February surrounding the event. Even if you don’t plan on seeing the Firefall, securing a reservation is required for Park entry and will provide the most flexibility during your visit. However, not having a reservation doesn’t impact your ability to experience Yosemite Mariposa County’s stunning beauty and abundant winter activities. There are plenty of things to do outside the Park along its scenic byways and in Yosemite’s gateway towns.

Things To Do Outside The Park

The beauty of the Sierra doesn’t begin at the gates to Yosemite. It’s infused in the surrounding rivers, lakes and valleys with an added kicker: gateway towns where Gold Rush history and cowboy culture gather ‘round the campfire.

As the county seat and “big city” gateway, the town of Mariposa is like finding a glint of gold sparkling in a riverbed.  With three museums, local shopping and over a dozen restaurants & night owl hangouts, the ratio of fun (lots) to residents (just over a thousand) is not to be trifled with. February is snow-free and mild, and there are plenty of lodging options close to the action along Mariposa’s historic main drag.

he Yosemite gateway gem of Coulterville never fails to surprise visitors traveling through Northern Mariposa County.  The vibe is pure Old West, and the locals are a friendly lot who take yesteryear seriously at the Northern Mariposa County History Center. In February, the foothills are emerald green and the air is pleasantly crisp.  Grab a bite to eat at the Coulter Cafe & General Store, then walk among dozens of historically designated buildings and imagine what life must have been like when this was a booming Gold Rush outpost. For a deeper dive, consider staying nearby at such accommodations as the Vacation Station — a refurbished caboose/boxcar that’s one of Yosemite Mariposa County’s truly unique sleeps.

A short distance from Coulterville along Highway 132, Lake McClure & Lake McSwain are two hidden gems for February boating, fishing, and camping.  Fed by the same Merced River that meanders through Yosemite Valley, the lakes sit below 1,000 ft, which translates to some very mild days and pleasant winter sunshine. Kayak from Lake McSwain up to the New Exchequer Dam, test your mudguards at Exchequer Mountain Bike Park and be sure check out the lodging options — there’s nothing like sitting by an outdoor fire pit during a February sunset and watching the clouds reflect a fiery orange against green rolling hills.

Leading up to Yosemite’s Arch Rock Entrance, Highway 140 isn’t called All-Season for nothing. Winding through the Merced River Canyon, the acre-feet of flow is starting to rise in February and the spring wildflowers think it might just be time to set buds. Hike the Merced River Trail or Hite Cove Trail when the weather is cool, or be a rebel and layer up for a winter picnic in one of the several picnic grounds along the river.  Lodging options in El Portal and Midpines are all there for snoozing.

Along Highway 41 on the approach to Yosemite’s South Entrance sits the historic burg of Fish Camp.  Don’t let the austere name fool you, for Tenaya at Yosemite is a large full service resort that serves as a hub for lots of February fun. Strap on the snowshoes and pad around the fire roads of the surrounding Sierra National Forest, sled at the nearby Goat Meadow Snowplay Area, take a spin around the Tenaya ice skating rink and cap the day with a Hot Toddy around the oversized fire pits.

Things To Do Inside of the Park

Inside Yosemite National Park, exploring the regions away from the Valley provide the best alternatives to Firefall. From skiing and snowshoeing to giant trees and the “secret” grandeur of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, there are plenty of fun & fascinating activities to enjoy. However, if it’s a weekend and reservations are required to see Firefall, they’re also required to see anything else inside of Yosemite.

Come February, the headliner of the Glacier Point Road region is, without a doubt, Badger Pass Ski Area. Due to its elevation and snowy conditions, this is where the road ends in winter but don’t be deterred — it’s a fulcrum of winter fun.

Badger Pass features skiing, snowboarding, a terrain park, and a tubing hill, not to mention numerous cross-country trails throughout the surrounding forest.  One of the most stunning snowshoe adventures departs from here — the trail to Dewey Point, where visitors are blown away as they perch 3,000 feet atop the southern rim of Yosemite Valley and gaze across to the ice-kissed face of El Capitan. The best lodging for Badger Pass in nearby Yosemite West, where condos and rental homes abound.

Hetch Hetchy. It’s fun to say and fun to visit, especially in February when so few people are around! Located in the Northern Yosemite region, Hetch Hetchy Reservoir features granite-lined walls surrounding its meandering shore, and jaw-dropping views from the O’Shaughnessy Dam across the Tuolumne River canyon. Water access is not allowed here (the reservoir is the water source for San Francisco), but just being in the presence of its glassy reflections is soothing to the soul. Note: Hetch Hetchy Road is open sunrise to sunset and closes when it is snowing or if snow is forecast overnight. Call 209-372-0200 (press 1 then 1) for the most up-to-date conditions. The closest lodging for the area is in Groveland or at the Hodgdon Meadow Campground, though this is first-come/first-served in winter and fills up on weekends (especially during Firefall in February).

The focal point of the Southern Yosemite region is Wawona, a wooded valley with the same elevation as Yosemite Valley (4,000 ft) and a different arm of the same river — the South Fork of the Merced.  Tromping around the outdoor exhibits of the Yosemite History Center can be both educational and meditative come February, and the snow doesn’t stick around like it does in the high country.  Nearby, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is an adventurous snowshoe from the Welcome Center up Mariposa Grove Road in winter (Mariposa Grove Road is closed to vehicles in winter). Still, the tranquility of these arboreal titans makes for an unforgettable excursion.  Winter lodging in Wawona is all about private cabin rentals, so put another log on the fire and get comfortable.

Temptation of the Firefall

For visitors who have both the gumption and extra time to explore Yosemite in February, seeing the natural Firefall in person can be tempting.  Please refer to our guide and video on how to visit Yosemite during Firefall for detailed information on planning your experience.  Fun Fact: the original Yosemite firefall — a waterfall of embers pushed off Glacier Point — was a man-made spectacle that’s hard to believe by today’s standards. Next time you’re in Curry Village look up to the Valley rim and imagine what a cascade of glowing cinders plummeting 3,000 ft must have looked like!