Wawona Point

Wawona Point is the payoff at the far end of the Mariposa Grove Trail, a full day's hike that trades the crowds around Grizzly Giant for a quiet overlook above the Wawona Valley. It's a serious outing — plan on the better part of a day — but the trail itself is wide, well-graded, and shaded by some of the biggest trees in the park the whole way up.

The Hike

The round trip runs 7.75 miles with about 1,200 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate and typically taking 4 to 6 hours, according to the National Park Service. The route follows the same path people have used to reach the grove for generations, passing named giants like the Bachelor and Three Graces, the Faithful Couple, and the Clothespin Tree before climbing to the point.

What You'll See

Wawona Point is an open overlook rather than another stand of trees — the reward for the climb is a wide view out over the Wawona Valley, with the South Fork of the Merced River and Wawona Dome laid out below. It's a different kind of Yosemite panorama than the Valley floor views most visitors get, and far fewer people make it this far to see it.

Getting There

The trail starts at the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area near the South Entrance, a short drive from Fish Camp. Personal vehicles aren't allowed into the grove itself — most visitors ride the free shuttle from the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza, though hikers can also walk in via the Washburn Trail or Mariposa Grove Road. Dogs are not permitted anywhere in the grove.