Yosemite Lodging and Cabins

Yosemite National Park, Giant Sequoias

Massive, ancient giant sequoias live in three groves in Yosemite National Park. The most easily accessible of these (spring through fall) is the Mariposa Grove near the park's South Entrance, off of the Wawona Road (Highway 41). Two smaller--and less visited--groves are the Tuolumne and Merced Groves near Crane Flat.

The Mariposa Grove Road is closed to cars approximately November to April, depending on conditions. 

The Mariposa Grove is near the South Entrance on the Wawona Road (Hwy 41). Visitors can drive to the grove when the Mariposa Grove Road is open (summer through fall). During busy summer months, visitors are encouraged to park at the Wawona Store and ride the free shuttle bus to the Mariposa Grove. In winter and early spring, the Mariposa Grove Road is closed and visitors must park at the South Entrance and walk 4 miles (roundtrip) to and from the grove. During summer, the Mariposa Grove Museum is open in the Upper Grove. Trailers and buses over 40 feet are not allowed at any time. Motor homes over 23 feet are not allowed between 9 am and 6 pm (during the hours of the free shuttle). You can hike up the two-mile road (500 feet of elevation gain) when it is closed.

No roads enter the Tuolumne or Merced Groves; two to three miles of hiking (about 500 feet of elevation gain) is required before you will see giant sequoias.

The Tuolumne Grove is near Crane Flat on the old Big Oak Flat Road (Hwy 120 West). To access the grove, park in the Tuolumne Grove Parking Area, located on the Tioga Road (Hwy 120 East), 1 mile east of Crane Flat. Then walk 2 miles roundtrip into the grove (600-foot elevation change).

The Merced Grove is west of Crane Flat on the Big Oak Flat Road (Hwy 120 West). To access the grove, park at the Merced Grove Trailhead and walk 4 miles roundtrip into the grove.