Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Yosemite National Park: Address, Phone Number, Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias Reviews: 4.5/5
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
4.5
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
7 within 3 miles
Sierra Restaurant
635
2.6 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options
Jackalope's Bar and Grill
927
2.6 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Vegetarian Friendly
White Chief Mountain Restaurant
20
2.4 mi$$ - $$$ • American
Embers Restaurant
179
2.6 mi$$$$ • Gluten Free Options
Parkside Deli
36
2.6 mi$$ - $$$ • American
Embers
1
2.6 miAmerican
Timberloft Pizzeria
268
2.7 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza
Attractions
12 within 6 miles
Wawona Tunnel Tree
3
0 ftHistoric Sites • Scenic Walking Areas
Grizzly Giant Tree
12
0 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Big Tree Trail
4
0 ftHiking Trails
California Tunnel Tree
3
0 ftNature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
Wawona Point
2
0 ftHiking Trails
Guardians Loop Trail
1
0 ftHiking Trails • Forests
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
668
Scenic Railroads
Yosemite Valley Loop Trail
118
Hiking Trails
Wawona Hotel, National Historic Landmark
90
Historic Walking Areas
Chilnualna Falls
57
Waterfalls
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,892 reviews
Excellent
1,378
Very good
390
Average
90
Poor
22
Terrible
12
Richard C
Phoenix, AZ15 contributions
Jun 2022
What a wonderful day in Mariposa Grove. Being our first time in Yosemite we knew the Sequoias in Mariposa Grove would be the first site we wanted to see. The area was busy and parking was very packed. There is a shuttle service to the trailhead which is very necessary (without the shuttle you would have to take a very steep 2 mile hike just to get to the trailhead). There are various hikes you can take and obviously the shorter routes are much busier. Have an idea prior to your trip on what you want to see to better determine the route you want to take. Our family went further than a majority of the crowds and made our way to the Telescope Tree (very cool to actually go inside a Sequoia!). Our "custom" hike was just under 6 miles. Take breaks and plenty of water especially on a warm day!
Written June 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
PacificNWFamily
Washington State95,238 contributions
Jul 2021
Mariposa Grove is one of my favorite places in Yosemite. Specifically, the Upper Grove is fabulous.
However, without a shuttle, I do not think that visiting Mariposa Grove this summer is worth the effort for most visitors. Tuolumne Grove has fewer trees but a much shorter hike.
This year, a visit to Mariposa Grove starts with a 2 mile walk uphill on the road (speeding cars) or on the dusty Washburn Trail to access the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area. Even though we started early in the morning, it was already hot on the trail.
We continued to the Grizzly Giant and the California Tunnel Tree. If we had turned around at this point and walked back down to our car, that would have been about 5 1/2 miles. But we continued up.
We saw many trees down, some completely blocking trail access. The January Mono Wind Event was devastating. We chose routes that were not blocked and continued up to Wawona Point. The Wawona Meadow and the (closed) Wawona Golf Course were visible in the distance as this was a clear day.
Our descent included the lovely Upper Grove. The Guardian Loop Trail is well done; it's hard to tell that it's an old road. The Telescope Tree is so much shorter after the winter storms.
We continued down to our car via the road. Drivers with a disabled placard are also able to use this road, and almost all of them were going much faster than the speed limit. Other walkers routinely called out "CAR" in warning. I don't think this was a safe situation for walkers, and I certainly would not take small children on this road.
Our day was about 12 miles. We filled our water bottles at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza before and after our hike.
However, without a shuttle, I do not think that visiting Mariposa Grove this summer is worth the effort for most visitors. Tuolumne Grove has fewer trees but a much shorter hike.
This year, a visit to Mariposa Grove starts with a 2 mile walk uphill on the road (speeding cars) or on the dusty Washburn Trail to access the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area. Even though we started early in the morning, it was already hot on the trail.
We continued to the Grizzly Giant and the California Tunnel Tree. If we had turned around at this point and walked back down to our car, that would have been about 5 1/2 miles. But we continued up.
We saw many trees down, some completely blocking trail access. The January Mono Wind Event was devastating. We chose routes that were not blocked and continued up to Wawona Point. The Wawona Meadow and the (closed) Wawona Golf Course were visible in the distance as this was a clear day.
Our descent included the lovely Upper Grove. The Guardian Loop Trail is well done; it's hard to tell that it's an old road. The Telescope Tree is so much shorter after the winter storms.
We continued down to our car via the road. Drivers with a disabled placard are also able to use this road, and almost all of them were going much faster than the speed limit. Other walkers routinely called out "CAR" in warning. I don't think this was a safe situation for walkers, and I certainly would not take small children on this road.
Our day was about 12 miles. We filled our water bottles at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza before and after our hike.
Written August 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lisa G
Aurora, IN531 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
After a 3 mile 1 way hike we came upon some of the most amazing trees you could imagine. It is hard to describe what one feels in the presence of such magnificence. The shuttle from the Mariposa grove welcome center was not running due to covid and the 1st Grove of sequoias are hard to see due to closure of the trail because if a huge wind storm in January but the hike to see the Grizzly Giant and also the California tunnel tree. It was not that crowded when we went later in the day. Bring plenty of water and be prepared to be amazed.
Written July 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
kkleinrn
Pleasant Grove, UT356 contributions
May 2021
Perhaps not the best of times but we had a great experience. The hike 1.9 miles up the well worn trail through the woods, or the paved highway is necessary at this time to arrive at the entrance to the Mariposa Grove. Ok, I'm in my 60's and hiked with my 3 grandkids 5 and under, we had to help them up the trail a lot but finally arrived at the top. A great hike! So proud of our little hikers! Beautiful! Perhaps our expectations were lower than some but we had a great time and loved the hike. We did opt to walk back down the highway, no cars, it's just an easy downhill walk, 1.9 miles. If you take the road you can totally bring a stroller. We limited our experience to seeing the sequoias at the entrance to the Grove. There are some amazing ones just as you start down the highway from the parking lot. I totally still think it's worth a visit. We'll hit Sequoia National Park another day to see more of the giants - but the hike is a great one!
Written May 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
doublemdoublet
Clifton, VA1,064 contributions
Jun 2021
Rangers were wrong. TIP: Read these 2021 posts people. No family should need to walk 6 miles to see these trees. I saw toddlers, little dogs and the elderly all on their near death hike to the trees during the heatwave. Many never made it. What a National Park Service (NPS) mistake this is! The Rangers are set up on wrong side of the visitor center. The public unknowingly walks to the trailhead without NPS input. You'd think someone is charge would step up. The Shuttles are not running. The New Visitor Center is now 2 miles away from the old Center so everyone with outdated guide books is ill prepared. Plan to see sequoias elsewhere.
Written August 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Adrian N
Polegate, UK339 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
This is Yosemite, not Disneyland. So it’s nature at its best. This is hundreds of years of history in the making, it was never designed for humans to have an easy time seeing it. Having said that it has certainly been assisted in modern times to let us visit it. To give a balanced review we took the trail up from the main car park. $35 to enter Yosemite, but that lasts for 7 days. The walk up does have some fallen trees on it, of which most you walk around. If not, sit on it and slide over. It’s a steep walk and takes over an hour. Yes, it’s 2 miles. At that point you reach the car park, or if you had the appropriate badge, that’s where you park. Toilets were open and operational. Fallen Monarch road with easy access at this point is closed as there was damage to it. However easy access road to the left all the way to Bachelor and Three sisters is open, though to be honest if you are pushing a wheelchair it isn’t going to be easy. From here we walked the trail to Grizzly Giant and California Tunnel Tree. Total time at this point for a man of 60 years from entrance to Tunnel Tree took exactly one and a half hours. That was what I wanted to see so I can’t comment on anything else beyond. Return walk was down the road and was smoother but felt longer. No speeding traffic came past, just plenty of happy hikers with pleasant “Good mornings.” Total time to Tunnel Tree and back was 3 hours. Total distance 6.2 miles. Plenty of toilets available at various intervals, road or trail. If you are inspired by natures wonders well worth the effort. If you are looking for Disneyland and staff at every corner you are visiting the wrong location. Put simply, sorry to say but not everyone will be able to visit and enjoy it. For those that can, do. Another attraction nearby is the swinging bridge which is a lot easier to drive and walk to, which we did later, so consider that if you don’t want this strenuous hike.
Written April 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Grover R
Pensacola, FL15,275 contributions
Mar 2022
The grove and trees itself are a 5 star, but the attraction only gets 3 due to mismanagement. First, despite no snow on the road you still have to hike two miles one way to reach the grove. Second, when you get there the trail to the trees was underconstruction and closed. Third, they do not communicate this very well to enable you to plan. If we had known this we probably would have allocated our time differently to another attraction.
What I did see of the grove was impressive and made me wish I had more time. The trail is not bad walking through a beautiful section of forest that still had snow at the highest points. It is just you want to see Sequoias and you don't see them until the end. There are other groves in Yosemite that you could visit if it were known that this was closed. I hope this helps you plan better.
What I did see of the grove was impressive and made me wish I had more time. The trail is not bad walking through a beautiful section of forest that still had snow at the highest points. It is just you want to see Sequoias and you don't see them until the end. There are other groves in Yosemite that you could visit if it were known that this was closed. I hope this helps you plan better.
Written April 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
John H
Parkville, MD53 contributions
May 2022
Take your time and enjoy this place, which you surely will. It wasn't as crowded as I thought it might be- perhaps it helped that I was there two weekends before Memorial Day-, which helped me savor it even more. I took the trail all the way to Wawona Point (14 miles round trip, I believe), and I'm glad I did, as there were very few people once I got past the main attractions, which also are well worth the visit! I'm glad they made the improvements, even if it added four miles to the hike since there was no shuttle service from the main parking lot. The hike is moderate in difficulty, a bit more so if you go all the way to the Point, but still very doable, and the trails are easy to follow. The Sequoias themselves are fantastic, and Wawona Point was quite a bonus!
Written June 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
VelvetSteamroller
Elyria118 contributions
Jul 2020
i am so very glad we got to experience this. my wife and I took our oldest here for her graduation present and it was such a great experience. we came july 2020 during the coronavirus upheaval and couldn't get a day entry pass so we took the YARTS bus into the park and it dropped us of right at the grove parking lot, which is literally right next to the park entrance. we got there as early as the YARTS bus could get us there, so we arrived at the mariposa grove parking area/bus stop at 830am. since they aren't running the park shuttles we walked the trail from the parking area to the grove. there was barely anyone else around, only maybe 10-20 cars in the parking lot. we are very active people so the hike to the grove on the trail wasn't difficult and took us about 45 minutes to cover the 2 miles. once we got to the grove (I want you to listen carefully to me here), it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. there was basically no one there. i counted 11 other people the entire time we were walking around the grove. it felt like we had it to ourselves and i felt so honored to have gotten that experience. i have never had that feeling in nature before. the trees are absolute giants and it was so cool to see them. we sat for 15 minutes on the benches at/under the grizzly giant and just absorbed how large and awesome it is and didn't see another person the whole time we sat there. we walked the rest of the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail and it was just as excellent as anyone could ever ask for. we didn't rush ourselves and we spent a comfortable amount of time in the grove and enjoyed ourselves there. we made it back to the grove parking area to catch the YARTS bus back out of the parking area about 1230 or so. since we didn't know how long it would take us to get to the grove, we were hiking with a good bit of hustle, but were able to take our time in the grove and on the hike back to the parking area. awesome experience, highly recommend. if you decided to take the trail from the parking area to the grove, your shoes and lower legs are going to be absolutely covered in dust. my wife and daughter used the time before the bus came one we got back to the parking area to wash their legs. being the caveman that i am i chose to just stew in my grime.
Written July 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
D. Aaronson
Asheville, NC670 contributions
Aug 2021
As of 2021 the road up to the grove is closed, so it's an extra 4 miles (2 each way) to see the grove. Don't let this discourage you though, the advantage is that it is far less crowded than it normally would be. Take some extra water, allow a couple more hours and enjoy the trip.
Written August 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
mrspeaks
Louisville, KY8 contributions
Is the handicap parking area open for the Mariposa Grove?
PacificNWFamily
Washington State95,238 contributions
Yes. Currently folks with a disabled placard can drive from the Welcome Plaza to the Arrival Area. But they cannot drive on to the Grizzly Giant parking.
I highly recommend using the active Yosemite forum rather than this quiet seldom-viewed Q&A feature.
Shelby S
San Francisco, CA19 contributions
do I need Yosemite access day pass to visit the giant sequoias during COVID restricted travel?
PacificNWFamily
Washington State95,238 contributions
Yes. Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is inside the South Entrance of Yosemite.
If you have other questions, ask on the active Yosemite forum. This Q&A feature has few readers.
Matt G
Burton upon Trent, UK379 contributions
How long should you allow for visit to Mariposa Grove? Thanks
PacificNWFamily
Washington State95,238 contributions
Hi
I think the best place to ask questions about tourism in Yosemite National Park is the Yosemite TripAdvisor forum. You can have an actual conversation. This Q&A feature does not work well for that.
A vague general answer .... half a day or 3-6 hours.
I am a hiker but had been to Mariposa Grove dozens of times. On one visit, I quickly hiked all the way to Wawona Point, down through the Upper Grove, and back to the Arrival Area. So even though the NPS site suggests that loop would take 4-6 hours, I was done in less than 3 hours.
Some folks will only use the wheelchair accessible Big Tree Loop. Some will walk further and take dozens of photos. Some may spend most of the day.
Folks who visit now have to walk from the Welcome Plaza to the Arrival Area (that's the usual shuttle route, but there is no shuttle in February) to access the trailheads, so they'll be walking even longer than summer visitors.
Note that there is no food available. Bring what you need. And post on the Yosemite forum if you'd like to share more information about when you are visiting, how much hiking you like to do, and things like that.
Fernando Breevaart
Hellevoetsluis, The Netherlands2 contributions
Hi all,
I'm making a road trip in the US next may. Starting in LA, going to Las Vegas via Grand Canyon, Page, Bryce and Zion, From that point we go to Bakersfield and up to Mariposa to visit Yosemite. When we leave Yosemite we are going to San Fransisco and after a few days back to LA.
On a few points we stay for multiple nights, LA 4, Grand Canyon 2, Zion 2, Las Vegas 2, Mariposa 2, San Fransisco 3.
Because we have limited time everywhere i like to be prepared, because i would like to make a picture of the milky way in one of those amazing spots we will be visiting in May. I'm from the Netherlands and this is one of the worlds most light polluted countries in the world there are almost no ways to shoot the milky way close from where i live.
I'm collecting data so far, and this is what i found. The moon is very big at the moment when we are near the Grand Canyon 5-11/12 and Bryce 5-14 so the Milky Way is no option here. When we are at Mariposa near Yosemite the moon is much better 5-20/21 so i would like to make the picture over there.
Which spots do you all prefer to shoot the Milky Way in Yosemite? Which has the best view on the stars and als have a nice foreground to make the best picture possible?
LEHeaven
Wales, UK69 contributions
Hi, my husband is a keen photographer. He took some incredible Milky Way photos in Darwin, on the edge of Death Valley. I have never in my life seen so many stars (and we live near a dark sky area Brecon Beacons). He also however took some amazing Milky Way photos from Tunnel View in Yosemite. It’s very accessible and looks out to El Capitan which makes for a great shot - he also took photos of the rock climbers camping on the cliff face at night. Great photo opportunities. Hope this helps.
Sam O
Buenos Aires, Argentina48 contributions
Hola ! visitaremos secuoya national park en mayo del año proximo, iremos en auto desde las vegas y luego seguiremos a yosemite... la idea es pasar el dia en los secuoyas y la noche cerca de ahi... que zona nos recomendas??
Gracias por tu ayuda.
Sam.
PacificNWFamily
Washington State95,238 contributions
Hi Sam
Google Translate: Hello ! We will visit Sequoia National Park in May of next year, we will go by car from Las Vegas and then we will continue to Yosemite ... the idea is to spend the day in the redwoods and the night near there ... what area do you recommend? Thanks for your help. Sam
This is a seldom viewed English language Q&A.
My suggestion is to skip Mariposa Grove as you'll see more groves of trees in Sequoia NP. Then stay in Yosemite Valley.
Please ask questions about your Yosemite tourism on the Yosemite forum page. Use English.
MaLynnH
Independence, KS2 contributions
Is there any lodging within hiking distance to the grove?
Boingjimgy1st
Kingston upon Thames, UK31 contributions
Thanks no but there are lodgings about half an hour drive away. May be some even closeremember. Check out the site for listings
moimeme
Austin, TX52 contributions
I’m planing to go with 2 under 3 kids.
Is there a place to eat in Mariposa Grove?
Do you have Internet at the park?
To access Mariposa Grove you have to go through a lot of edges routes? I mean is easy drive or the route is S shaping?
Thanks in advance!
tressarudik
Michigan50 contributions
Ok So here the deal. You are coming from the South from Oakhurst Stop at McDonald's and if the kids like hot lunch keep wrapped or insulated. There are no sitdown restaurants. From Oakhurst to the Park entrance (right by the roundabout parking lot) where you can take the bus up to the trees here. FYI I know that you can get a 4g on ATT from the parking lot because my son stayed in the camper while we hiked the 1.7 miles up to the trees (all boardwalk)
From Oakhurst, the road has a lot of gentle curves. IF you go deeper in the park to the Valley or to the falls or to Sentinel Dome there are tons of switchbacks but consider the are more highways, not tiny roads.
ViruDh
Chicago, IL10 contributions
Do we have any hike which is not more than 2-3 miles?
Mike G
San Francisco, CA1,162 contributions
There are hikes of all lengths, and they all start with a nice boardwalk. So you can go out as far as you like and then come back. Even someone in a wheelchair could go on the boardwalk and see many of the sequoias.
Is there any discounts for veterans
Odyssey796690
Watsonville, CA49 contributions
Vets are free in national parks 👍
kontseptualno
Moscow, Russia1 contribution
Можно ли попасть из Yosemite Valley в Mariposa grove на общественном транспорте
PacificNWFamily
Washington State95,238 contributions
When the YARTS bus service is running in summer, you could catch the 11:15 am bus to Mariposa Grove which arrives at 12:35. But the only return bus leaves at 1:50 pm. That's probably not enough time to actually do anything as you'd need to shuttle up to the Grove and back to the parking lot.
You might try to make friends with someone at your lodging and offer to pay for gasoline.
The Yosemite forum (in English) is a good place to have a conversation about tourism in Yosemite.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
- We recommend booking Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 4 Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias:
- (2.27 mi) Big Creek Inn B&B
- (8.54 mi) Evergreen Haus
- (9.93 mi) Nature's Inn Bed & Breakfast
- (2.61 mi) Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite
- (3.44 mi) Wawona Hotel
- Restaurants near Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias:
- (2.61 mi) Sierra Restaurant
- (2.61 mi) Jackalope's Bar and Grill
- (3.45 mi) Wawona Hotel Dining Room
- (3.95 mi) Hall & Buffalo Bar
- (2.63 mi) Embers Restaurant
- Attractions near Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias:
- (0.00 mi) Big Tree Trail
- (0.00 mi) Grizzly Giant Tree
- (0.00 mi) Wawona Point
- (0.00 mi) Wawona Tunnel Tree
- (0.00 mi) Guardians Loop Trail