Yosemite Mariposa Sequoia Grove

Yosemite National Park is full of places that make you feel small, but Mariposa Grove does it in its own particular way. Located near Yosemite’s South Entrance, it is the largest sequoia grove in the park and holds more than 500 mature giant sequoias.

The trunks and high branches give the grove a cathedral-like scale, and the age of the trees puts the length of a single visit in perspective.

The National Park Service estimates the Grizzly Giant to be about 3,000 years old. Nearby, the California Tunnel Tree has a 19th-century passage cut through its living trunk, a reminder of how visitors once altered the trees they came to see.

The grove has undergone major restoration work to protect the roots, soil, hydrology, and long-term health of the sequoias. Their roots are shallow compared to their size, so staying on the trails helps protect the soil and root systems that support them.

For Mariposa Grove access, the free shuttle operates seasonally from the Welcome Plaza near the South Entrance, and the schedule changes with weather, staffing, and road conditions. When the shuttle is not operating, access usually requires a hike on the Washburn Trail or Mariposa Grove Road, unless official accessibility options apply. Check the NPS page before going instead of assuming the road, shuttle, parking, or water availability will match a past visit.

Give yourself time to notice the roots and soil as well as the branches overhead. It is worth walking slowly enough to take in the trees and imagine the generations that have passed while they kept growing.

Official Links and Planning Notes

• Yosemite: Mariposa Grove
• Yosemite: permits and reservations
• Yosemite: conditions and alerts

Before going, check shuttle hours, parking, road status, trail closures, weather, and air quality. Snow, restoration work, fire management, and seasonal staffing can change the experience quickly.

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