“The largest living things on earth”
The Mariposa Grove, near Yosemite's South Entrance, contains about 500 mature giant sequoias. Giant sequoias are perhaps the largest living things on Earth. Although the oldest giant sequoias may exceed 3,000 years in age, some living specimens of the ancient bristlecone pine (found in the mountains east of Yosemite and at Great Basin National Park in Nevada, among other places) are more than 4,600 years old. The tallest trees are the giant sequoia's cousin—the coast redwood, which you can see at Muir Woods National Monument and Redwood National Park, among others. To get there: The two-mile Mariposa Grove Road is open from approximately April through November. When open, you can drive to the grove from Yosemite's South Entrance (off of Highway 41). During summer, however, the small parking lot fills frequently, resulting in periodic road closures. So, it's best to take the free Wawona-Mariposa Grove shuttle. When the road is closed during winter, you can still walk, snowshoe, or ski up the road from South Entrance (two miles with about 500 feet of elevation gain).
This is a nice grove. You need to hike a little to get to the main Sequoias. The Grizzly Giant is 0.8 miles from the entrance and the California Tunnel Tree you can walk through is about 0.2 miles from the Grizzly Giant.
There is a free shuttle that goes from Wawona (by the visitor's center) to Mariposa Grove that takes about 20 minutes and comes by every 22 minutes. It's worth taking it since the parking lot isn't very big and it is usually full when there are a lot of visitors (eg. holidays).
The Grove is right by the south entrance to Yosemite National Park.
Awesome, do not miss!
Most people come here to check out the California Tree and the Grizzly Giant, but there are other named trees here too! There's the Fallen Monarch, the Telescope Tree, the Wawona Tree Tunnel and tons more! Here's a handy little map from the NPS on getting around the grove and its hundreds of ginormous trees:
Are you at the Yosemite neighborhood? Then you have to visit Mariposa Grove & Museum. Even if you are only going for the hike it is still worth the try.
The beauty of the grand sequoias is absolutely stunning..the hike is just so fascinating...we all felt we were playing a role at the Alice in Wonderland fairy-tale.
Do not miss this spot!! Take your cameras with you!!!
Be the first to add a review to the Mariposa Grove.
/-119.598333,37.513889,14/300x172@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1Ijoicm9hZHRyaXBwZXJzIiwiYSI6ImNsczF1Y3RwcTA0ZmgycHAwbngweHlmbDAifQ.G6RP_RvWmMx8yNQSHb3PGQ)
Mariposa Grove
Hours
Problem with this listing? Let us know.
Has RV parking changed? Let us know.
-
Parking
-
Pets Allowed
-
Restrooms
-
Wifi
-
Wheelchair Accessible
-
Credit Cards Accepted
-
Outdoor Seating
Dining
Nearby Hotels
Related Trip Guides
- Trip Guide
Yosemite National Park: A guide for beginners
- 16 Places
- Trip Guide
Pay Tribute and Reflect at These US Monuments and Memorials
- 14 Places
- Trip Guide
The Ultimate Guide To Joshua Tree National Park
- 53 Places
- 11:44
- 408 mi
- Trip Guide
The top things to do on an I-40 road trip
- 35 Places
- 49:44
- 2,851 mi