Do I need a reservation to visit Mariposa Grove?

Yosemite is not requiring vehicle entrance reservations in 2026, but you still need to pay the park entrance fee or use a valid pass. Confirm current requirements with the park before your trip.

What's the easiest way to see a giant sequoia here?

The Big Trees Loop is a flat, paved, wheelchair-accessible 0.3-mile round trip that passes the Fallen Monarch, taking about 30 to 45 minutes.

How do I get to the Grizzly Giant?

Take the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail, a 2-mile round trip with about 300 feet of elevation gain that also reaches the California Tunnel Tree.

Do I have to take the shuttle to reach the grove?

No, but most visitors do. The free shuttle runs from the Welcome Plaza parking area roughly mid-April through November. When it isn't running, you can walk or bike in via the Washburn Trail or grove road, adding about 4 miles round trip.

Mariposa Grove Trailhead – Yosemite Sequoia Trail Guide

Mariposa Grove Trailhead is the starting point for the largest stand of giant sequoias in Yosemite National Park — more than 500 mature trees spread across the grove's lower and upper sections, just off Wawona Road near the South Entrance and the town of Fish Camp. Everyone parks at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza and rides a free shuttle in to this trailhead, then picks from four routes depending on how much time they have.

Four Trails, One Trailhead

Big Trees Loop — 0.3 miles round trip, flat and paved, 30–45 minutes, wheelchair accessible. Passes the Fallen Monarch.
Grizzly Giant Loop Trail — 2 miles round trip, about 300 feet of elevation gain, 1.5–2 hours. Reaches the Grizzly Giant and the California Tunnel Tree.
Guardians Loop Trail — 6.5 miles round trip, about 1,200 feet of gain, 4–6 hours. Climbs into the grove's quieter upper section past the fallen Wawona Tunnel Tree, the Telescope Tree, and the historic Mariposa Grove Cabin.
Trail to Wawona Point — 7.75 miles round trip, about 1,200 feet of gain, 4–6 hours. The longest option, ending at a panoramic overlook above the Wawona Basin.

What You'll See

The Grizzly Giant is the grove's most famous tree, dated at roughly 3,000 years old and standing a short walk from the trailhead. Just past it on the same loop is the California Tunnel Tree, carved through in 1895 so horse-drawn stages could pass beneath — it's the only living sequoia in the grove you can still walk through today. The longer loops reach the fallen Wawona Tunnel Tree and the Telescope Tree before climbing toward Wawona Point.

Getting There

The free shuttle between the Welcome Plaza and the trailhead runs seasonally, roughly mid-April through November depending on conditions. When it's not running, you can still reach the grove on foot or by bike via the Washburn Trail or grove road, which adds about 4 miles round trip. Yosemite is not requiring vehicle entrance reservations in 2026, but you'll still need to pay the standard entrance fee or use a valid pass — confirm current conditions with the park before you go.

Mariposa Grove Trailhead

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