Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful places on Earth! From the beautiful valleys surrounded by majestic mountains to the waterfalls and alpine lakes… the list goes on. It’s just an amazing place! But did you know Yosemite is home to three groves of giant sequoia trees?
This species of trees are the most massive trees on Earth! The lesser visited groves include Tuolumne and Merced Groves near Crane Flat. The most popular and most easily accessible one is known as Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias which is located near the South Entrance of Yosemite National Park.
Within Mariposa Grove, you will find a 3,000-year-old giant sequoia, ones with tunnels through them, some that have fallen exposing their massive roots, and unique giant sequoias with interesting shapes. This section of Yosemite National Park has so much to offer for all types of adventurers. It’s 100% worth making time to visit during your trip to Yosemite!
Table of Contents
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Mariposa Grove is located near the Southern Entrance of Yosemite National Park off of Wawona Road (Highway 41). It is about 35 miles south, or an hour’s drive, from Yosemite Valley. In 1857, Galen Clark and Milton Mann were non-natives who visited the grove of giant sequoias and named it after the county it resides in – Mariposa County.
In 1864 President Lincoln signed legislation to protect both Mariposa Grove and Yosemite Valley. This was the first time in United States’ history in which the federal government decided to protect natural areas for the benefit of future generations. Mariposa Grove was later added to Yosemite National Park in 1906.
Mariposa Grove is home to about 500 mature sequoia trees. By hiking on a system of trails, you can get an up-close look at these gigantic trees. The hikes ranges from easy to strenuous with some being wheelchair accessible.
Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza & Arrival Area
Located before Mariposa Grove is a welcome center called Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza. Here you can find flush toilets, a bookstore, visitor information and hiking maps, and water stations.
There are about 300 parking spots at the Welcome Plaza. Although the parking lot is big, it fills up quickly by late morning. Be sure to get there early!
The road that continues to the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area is closed to private vehicles when the shuttle bus is running. However, those with disability placards can drive along the Mariposa Grove Road to reach the parking lots that are closer to the hiking trails.
There are designated accessible parking spaces at Mariposa Grove Arrival Area and at the Grizzly Giant parking area. Again, the parking lots may fill up fast so arrive early to beat the crowd!
The Arrival Area has bathrooms but no drinking water. There is a giant map that displays all the trails within Mariposa Grove.
Free Shuttle
There is a shuttle and it’s free. Hooray for free transportation!! The shuttle will take you from the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza to the Arrival Area and vice versa. The shuttle runs all day and comes by every 15 minutes. Don’t worry about having to make a reservation. Just wait in line and hop on the bus.
The shuttle service runs seasonally, so usually it will open in mid-April and remain running until late November. The dates of service are subject to change depending on weather and road conditions. Always check the NPS.gov website for updates!
Shuttle Hours (2024)
- May 25 – September 2: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The last bus leaves Mariposa Grove at 8:00 PM.
- September 3 – November 2: 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM. The last bus leaves Mariposa Grove at 6:30 PM.
- November 3 – November 30: 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM (depending on weather conditions). The last bus leaves Mariposa Grove at 5:00 PM.
- December 1 – April 15(ish): No shuttle service at this time.
Option to Hike or Bike
There is an option to hike from the Welcome Plaza to Mariposa Grove Arrival Area via a 2-mile trail called the Washburn Trail. It’s relatively easy hike with only 500 feet of elevation gain.
Or you can bike along the Mariposa Grove Road from the Welcome Plaza to the Arrival Area or to the Grizzly Giant parking area. Bicycles are NOT allowed anywhere else in the grove.
Best Time to Visit Mariposa Grove
Honestly there is never a bad time to visit Mariposa Grove. It’s beautiful all year round, however, I personally feel like there are two seasons that are best for visiting Mariposa Grove. These seasons include spring and winter, and I’ll explain why!
Spring
First off, I want to mention that the Mariposa Grove Road may not open until mid to late spring. But don’t worry, the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza parking area is open! If the shuttle bus is not running at this time, then you can hike the Washburn Trail or walk along the road for about 2 miles to reach Mariposa Grove.
The reason I think visiting Mariposa Grove in the spring is one of the best times is because the weather is great, the wildflowers are bloomed and beautiful, and the crowds are not as extreme as summertime crowds!
READ THIS: How to Visit Yosemite in May
Winter
If you are strongly against outdoor activities in cold weather, then you might want to skip over this section. My husband and I have yet to visit Mariposa Grove in the winter, but it is HIGH on our bucket list! Just imagine how magical the giant sequoias look covered in snow!
The Mariposa Grove Road is definitely closed in the winter, but it is the perfect time to bust out your skis or snowshoes and explore the grove that way. Make sure to remain on the trails whether you are hiking, snowshoeing, or skiing.
Also, overnight camping is allowed in Mariposa Grove from December 1 through April 15 only if the road is closed and there is enough snow for skiing. If you do plan to camp, please make sure to obtain a wilderness permit. Camping is only allowed above where the Clothespin Tree is located.
Where to Stay Near Mariposa Grove
There are tons of options for places to stay near Mariposa Grove and the South Entrance of Yosemite National Park. Your choice of accommodation probably depends on your budget, amenities, type of stay (hotel chain, Airbnb, or a local Bed & Breakfast). Check out these nearby towns: Fish Camp, Oakhurst, Bass Lake, Mariposa, El Portal, and Groveland.
There are also great accommodations within Yosemite National Park. These usually require reservations in advance!
Know Before You Go
Entrance Pass
Entrance into Yosemite National Park is $35 per vehicle for a 7-day pass. If you have the America the Beautiful Pass then you get in for free. If you don’t have an America the Beautiful Pass and you visit National Parks frequently, we highly recommend making the purchase! It costs $80 for one whole year.
Reservations and Time Entry
A reservation is required from 5 AM to 4 PM on some dates from April 13 through October 27, 2024.
- April 13 to June 30: weekends and holidays only
- July 1–August 16: daily
- August 17– October 27: weekends and holidays only
Yosemite Crowds
Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular National Parks in America. If you have visited before, then you will understand why. The entire place is beautiful! Absolutely breathtaking. Because of this everyone and their mom wants to visit. This results in big crowds, especially during peak season.
Thankfully, reservations and timed entries have been put in place to help control the crowds. Even though Mariposa Grove is not as popular as Yosemite Valley or Glacier Point, I would recommend getting an early start.
READ THIS: 15 Ways to Avoid Crowds in the Great Outdoors
Pet Policy
Pets are NOT allowed on the Mariposa Grove Road, Washburn Trail, or on any other trails within Mariposa Grove. Also, they are NOT allowed on the shuttles.
Conservation Efforts
Mariposa Grove went through a huge restoration project in 2014 with support of Conservancy donors. The goal was to help preserve the Grove and enhance visitors’ experience. This section of Yosemite National Park was closed for about four years while the restoration work was being done. Finally, in June 2018, Mariposa Grove was re-opened to the public!
Leave No Trace
Before you go, please make sure you understand the Leave No Trace principles. These seven principles help reduce our environmental impact from outdoor recreational activities. Nature is meant to be enjoyed and respected. 🌱
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
The Famous Trees of Mariposa Grove
Let’s learn more about the magnificent giant sequoias that reside within Mariposa Grove. The 500 sequoias located in this Grove have survived for a long time with some being over 2,000 years old. Wildfires, disease, nor insects can stop them! They live longer than any other living thing on Earth.
The giant sequoias trees grow naturally in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, and only there! They never stop growing and are one of the fastest growing trees in the world. The giant sequoias are the largest trees in the world by total volume.
Although giant sequoias trees are resistant to insects, fungus, and natural causes (fires, lightning, winter storms), they are not invincible against humans. Unfortunately, a long time ago, people logged these trees, carved tunnels in them, and damaged the roots when building roads and trails. This caused extreme damage within the grove.
Thankfully, Mariposa Grove is now protected, but it is still at risk for human-caused threats. These new threats include air pollution, pathogens, and climate change. With that being said, let’s do our part to treat Earth with respect and make it a better place for the next generations!
Within Mariposa Grove, not only will you be surrounded by giant sequoias, but you will get to see some famous ones. Below is a list of the most popular trees to see!
The Fallen Monarch
This fallen giant sequoia remains a mystery. No one knows the age of this tree nor when it fell. This tree likely fell a very long time ago, but it looks like it fell just yesterday. The sequoia trees have a natural compound known as tannin which protects them from decomposing.
Bachelor and Three Graces
This is a unique group of giant sequoias. Three of them are growing very close together while the other one is a bit more distant. They are so close that their roots share nutrients to help keep them alive. However, if one were to fall, they might all fall!
Grizzly Giant
The Grizzly Giant is the most ancient sequoia tree in Mariposa Grove. It’s estimated to be between 1,800 and 2,800 years old. Also, it’s one of the biggest trees in the park with a height of about 210 feet and a circumference of more than 90 feet.
California Tunnel Tree
The California Tunnel Tree was the second tree to be tunneled in this grove in 1895. It is now the only tunneled tree in Mariposa Grove that is still standing. The first tree to be tunneled (Wawona Tunnel Tree) fell in 1969 after a snowstorm, but the California Tunnel Tree still remains.
This beautiful sequoia tree has weakened due to being tunneled, but the bark is growing inward in an attempt to heal itself and close the “wound”.
The reason this tree was tunneled was so stagecoaches could drive through, and to help promote tourism to Yosemite National Park. Now, you can only walk through it. Saddened by the fact people had to create a manmade tunnel for touristy purposes, I am amazed to see how long this tree has survived despite having a giant hole in the bottom of the trunk!
Faithful Couple
The Faithful Couple is an incredible site of two sequoias that fused together at the base. How did this happen? Well, their roots fused together and shared water and nutrients which allowed both trees to survive and eventually grow together at the base.
Clothespin Tree
The Clothespin Tree is actually one of my favorite trees. It just looks really cool! But it’s interesting as to how this sequoia looks the way it does. Basically, a bunch of wildfires caused the trunk of this tree to be severed down the middle. The space that has formed is big enough for a pick-up truck to drive through.
Mariposa Tree
Honestly, I could not find any special information about this particular tree. I just know it’s named the Mariposa Tree and resides in Mariposa Grove. It’s a beauty though!
Columbia Tree
According to several resources, the Columbia Tree is the tallest tree in Yosemite National Park. It stands at 285 feet tall and is located near the Mariposa Grove Cabin.
Telescope Tree
The Telescope Tree is very unique because its entire trunk is hollowed out from the bottom to the top, and you can actually walk inside this sequoia tree and look up to see the sky.
Just like the Clothespin Tree, this tree has suffered from decades of wildfires resulting in a hollowed trunk. It is still alive and slowly trying to heal itself, but it has been very weakened from many years of natural causes. Hopefully, the Telescope Tree has many more years to come!
Wawona Tunnel Tree (Fallen Tunnel Tree)
The Wawona Tunnel Tree, as it was formerly named, was a very famous tree within Mariposa Grove. In 1881, it was the first tree to be tunneled to allow horse-drawn carriages and small automobiles to drive through as a tourist attraction.
It was considered the most photographed tree in the grove during its prime time. Unfortunately, the giant hole that was created in the tree caused it to weaken then ultimately fall in 1969 after a snowstorm.
It was renamed the Fallen Tunnel Tree after it fell over… such a creative new name. Once this beautiful giant sequoia tree fell, is raised more awareness of the importance of being more sensitive to the ecosystems.
Galen Clark Tree
Last but not least, we have the Galen Clark Tree. Apparently, this tree was the first one Galen Clark saw when he entered the grove. He became obsessed with the giant sequoias and worked for many years to help protect Mariposa Grove and Yosemite National Park.
He was known by the state of California as the Guardian of Yosemite. He built a cabin in the grove in 1864 for both himself and as a sanctuary for other travelers. His cabin soon became known as “Galen’s Hospice”.
Galen Clark’s original cabin is no longer there, but another cabin was built in 1930 and then restored in 1983. It now serves as a museum. More information on that below!
Top Hikes in Mariposa Grove
There is a great system of trails within Mariposa Grove. The hikes range from easy to strenuous with some being wheelchair accessible! With each hike you will see many sequoia trees of all shapes and sizes.
Easy Hikes
Big Trees Loop Trail
Length: 0.3 miles
Elevation Gain: Relatively flat trail
Route Type: Loop
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Trail Features: Fallen Monarch and interpretive panels on the life and ecology of giant sequoias
More Info: This hike starts at the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area, and it is wheelchair accessible.
Moderate Hikes
Grizzly Giant Loop Trail
Length: 2.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Route Type: Loop
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Trail Features: Bachelor and Three Graces, Grizzy Giant, and California Tunnel Tree
More Info: This hike starts at the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area. Follow along the Mariposa Grove Trail and the Big Trees Loop until you merge onto the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail.
Visitors with a disability placard can drive to the Grizzly Giant parking area where there is a wheelchair accessible path to reach the Grizzly Giant!
Hard to Strenuous Hikes
Guardians Loop Trail
Length: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
Route Type: Out-and-back + loop
Difficulty Rating: Hard to strenuous
Trail Features: Columbia Tree, Mariposa Grove Cabin, Telescope Tree, and Fallen Tunnel Tree
More Info: Begin your hike at the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area. Take the Mariposa Grove Trail to reach the upper portion of the grove. Then you will hike along the 1.5-mile loop trail known as Guardians Loop Trail until you reach Mariposa Grove where you will retrace your steps back to the parking area.
The Mariposa Grove Cabin is a historical feature along the Guardians Loop Trail. It was built in 1930 and has now been converted into a museum which features old photographs with additional history about Mariposa Grove. Plus, there are restrooms! In this area, you will also find three “large” giant sequoia trees known as Columbia Tree, General Grant, and General Sheridan.
Mariposa Grove Trail to Wawona Point
Length: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,200 feet
Route Type: Out-and-back
Difficulty Rating: Hard to strenuous
Trail Features: Bachelor and Three Graces, Grizzly Giant, Faithful Couple, Clothespin Tree, Mariposa Tree, Galen Clark Tree, and Wawona Point
More Info: Begin your hike at Mariposa Grove Arrival Area. This route has been used for generations and goes all the way to Wawona Point which is a spectacular overlook with panoramic views. Wawona Point sits at an elevation of 6,800 feet!
Our Hiking Route to See ALL the Famous Trees
When me and Vikas visited Mariposa Grove in 2023, we made it a goal to see all the famous sequoia trees! We studied the big trail map at the Arrival Area and made a route in our minds.
I guess I should mention that we had to park in the Welcome Plaza and walked 2 miles along the Washburn Trail to begin hiking in Mariposa Grove. We didn’t realize there was a free shuttle bus at the time.
Anyway, whether or not you hike or take the shuttle bus, it will be a fairly long hike. But totally worth every step to see all the amazingly beautiful trees plus an overlook with stunning views.
About the Trail
Location: Mariposa Grove, California.
Length & Elevation Gain: It’s about 8 miles with an elevation gain of 1,200 (or so) feet. (+2 miles if hiking from the Welcome Plaza, and another +2 miles if hiking back to the Welcome Plaza)
Hiking Time: It takes an average of 4.5 to 6.5 hours to complete this hike.
Route Type: This is a loop hike.
Difficulty Rating: Hard to strenuous depending on fitness level.
Terrain: This trail consists of boardwalk, mostly dirt/rocky, and some paved sections.
Pet-friendly? No, pets are not allowed.
Trail Directions
This route might be confusing, so bear with me! We mostly remain on the main trails but there are a few side trails that we took. And yes, the side trails are actual trails that people are allowed to hike on.
To begin this hike, make your way to the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area. If you are parked in the Welcome Plaza, then you can either hike 2 miles via the Washburn Trail or take the free shuttle.
Begin walking along the boardwalk which is both the Big Trees Loop Trail and the Mariposa Grove Trail. The first famous tree you will see is the Fallen Monarch.
Continue to the right of the Fallen Monarch to remain on the Mariposa Grove Trail which has also merged with the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail.
You will soon reach an intersection where you will cross a paved road. The next cluster of famous trees is known as the Bachelor and Three Graces.
Continue straight along the Grizzly Giant and Mariposa Grove Trails. Get ready to see the biggest tree in Yosemite National Park – Grizzly Giant!
Take a left at the next junction in the trail and soon you will reach the California Tunnel Tree. Continue straight through the tunnel (after taking pictures) and take a left at the next junction to get back onto the Mariposa Grove Trail.
In about 0.75 miles you will reach the Faithful Couple. Follow the Mariposa Grove Trail for about 0.2 miles to reach the Clothespin Tree. How awesome are these sequoia trees!? So unique, beautiful, and resilient.
Let’s continue on the Mariposa Grove Trail to reach the next giant sequoia known as the Mariposa Tree. There are also restrooms near this tree if you need to go!
At the next intersection, take a right to get onto the Guardians Loop Trail.
Soon you will reach the Mariposa Grove Cabin along with more massive trees with the most notable ones being the Columbia Tree, General Grant, and General Sheridan.
Instead of continuing on the Guardians Loop Trail, take the side trail with a sign indicating Telescope Tree. It’s a bit of a shortcut but also this side trail offers the most spectacular scenery! There were yellow wildflowers everywhere and giant sequoias all around. It was breathtaking!
This side trail will meet with the Guardians Loop Trail again. At the junction, take a right and the Telescope Tree will be there. Walk inside and look up. It’s pretty neat!
From the Telescope Tree take a right to get back onto the Guardians Loop Trail heading towards Wawona Point.
The next famous tree was known as “the most photographed tree in the grove” but then it fell down in the 1960s. Now it is known as the Fallen Tunnel Tree.
Continue straight until you reach a junction in the trail. The final famous tree you will see on the hike will be the Galen Clark Tree which will be to the right. Not going to lie… we definitely passed right by it during our little excursion. But it’s there… somewhere!
Keep right to get back onto the Mariposa Grove Trail. Follow this trail all the way until you reach Wawona Point.
There are two main overlooks at Wawona Point that provide incredible panoramic views!
Now, let’s make our way back to the parking area. Follow the Mariposa Grove Trail until you reach the Faithful Couple Tree. There will be a side trail nearby. Take a right onto the side trail then a left at the next junction.
Soon you will reach another junction where the side trail meets the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail. Take a right here.
This trail will meet up with a paved road. You can take a right and follow this road to the Arrival Area or take a right at the next junction to get onto the Big Trees Loop Trail which will also take you to the Arrival Area.
From here you can take the shuttle bus back to the Welcome Plaza parking area, or you can take the Washburn Trail and hike 2 miles back to the parking lot.
We took the shuttle. Our legs were pleased.
Yellow pen color: our route BACK TO Arrival Area FROM Wawona Point.
We Vlogged Our Experience
Discover More Adventures in Yosemite
Taft Point and Sentinel Dome are magnificent natural landmarks located in Yosemite National Park near Glacier Point. The views from each location are out-of-this-world! From Taft Point you can see El Capitan and Yosemite Falls, and from Sentinel Dome you can see Nevada Fall and Half Dome. There are many ways to reach both Taft Point and Sentinel Dome, and the most popular route is a 5-mile loop hike.
Hike to Yosemite’s most underrated waterfall known as Chilnualna Falls (pronounced “Chil-noo-al-na”). Located in the Wawona area of Yosemite National Park, this waterfall consists of 5 large cascades with the tallest one dropping 240 feet. The hike will take you through pine-dense forests, pass beautiful vistas, and offers spectacular views of Chilnualna Falls and its cascades.
Located within the Hetch Hetchy area, this 13-mile out-and-back hike takes you to both Wapama Falls and Rancheria Falls. If you enjoy long day hikes then this is the perfect adventure for you!
The hike to Wapama Falls is unique because you can get really close to the base of the waterfall (while staying on the footbridges). The hike to Rancheria Falls is quite long but worth it. Not only are these waterfalls amazing, but the views along the entirety of the hike are spectacular!
Take the famous Mist Trail and John Muir Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls located in Yosemite National Park. This popular yet difficult loop hike is the perfect adventure for those who enjoy challenging hikes with scenic views and waterfalls!
Vernal Fall is a 317-foot waterfall and is best experienced via the Mist Trail. The top of this waterfall offers jaw-dropping views! Nevada Fall is a powerful 594-foot waterfall. Enjoy views of this waterfall from both Mist Trail and John Muir Trail. Add this beautiful hike to your chasing-waterfalls-in-Yosemite bucket list!
Yosemite Falls is one of North America’s tallest waterfalls. It rises 2,425 feet above the Valley floor! Conquer this hike which takes you to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls. Enjoy the rewarding and jaw-dropping views of Yosemite Valley. Be prepared as there is a lot of elevation gain, and the slippery, rocky terrain adds to the challenge. However, this trail is worth every step! Once you reach the top, you’ll understand why.
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