Mariposa Grove
Among the Giants
The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias offers one of Yosemite’s most awe-inspiring experiences, where nearly 500 mature sequoias rise from the forest floor. Located just four miles from Tenaya at Yosemite, the grove is easily within reach, yet feels worlds away. Access begins near the South Entrance, where guests can seasonally board a shuttle to the lower grove, or hike approximately two miles from the parking area for a more immersive approach year-round.
Fallen Monarch
One of the first notable landmarks you’ll encounter in the Mariposa Grove is the Fallen Monarch. Though it toppled centuries ago, the tree remains remarkably preserved, with its massive root system still visible—a testament to the natural resilience of giant sequoias. As you explore, please help protect this ancient tree by admiring it from a distance and avoiding climbing on its trunk.
The Grizzly Giant
The Grizzly Giant is one of the largest trees in the Mariposa Grove and is thought to be more than 1,800 years old. Looking up, it can be hard to fully appreciate the scale and mass of this sequoia. The large limb on the south side of the tree is nearly 7 feet in diameter alone. That one branch of the Grizzly Giant is larger than any non-sequoia tree in the grove!
California Tunnel Tree
Just beyond the Grizzly Giant stands the California Tunnel Tree, a reminder of Yosemite’s early tourism era. Carved in 1895 to allow horse-drawn stages to pass through, the tunnel remains today, and visitors can still walk through its center. Farther up in the grove once stood the Wawona Tunnel Tree, famously known as the “tree you can drive through,” which fell during the winter of 1968–69.
Mariposa Grove Cabin
The trees in the upper grove, perhaps because of their proximity and the open areas between them, have a particular majesty and cathedral-like grace. For many, it’s their favorite part of the grove. The cabin in the upper grove occupies a site where Galen Clark, the “first guardian of Yosemite,” built a small cabin in 1861.
Wawona Point
A short spur trail of about a quarter mile leads to Wawona Point, where expansive views open to the west and north. This quiet overlook offers a rewarding pause above the forest, with a perspective that feels both wide-reaching and removed from the more traveled paths below.
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Spark discovery with on-site activities included in each stay.