Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias

The Mariposa Grove in the south of Yosemite National Park holds more than 500 mature giant sequoias and is the largest sequoia grove in the park. One of the best known is the Grizzly Giant, whose age is estimated at around 2,700 to 3,000 years. Short trails such as the Big Trees Loop (about 0.5 km, or 0.3 miles) are good for a first impression; the longest route, to Wawona Point, is about 11 km (7 miles) round trip.

Parking is at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza near the south entrance, which has restrooms, visitor information and water refill stations. The road beyond it is closed to most private vehicles. A free shuttle takes visitors 3 km (2 miles) to the grove; it runs seasonally, from mid-April at the earliest to about the end of November, with hours that vary by month and weather, roughly every 15 minutes. Without the shuttle, you walk about 3 km (2 miles) each way on the Washburn Trail or the road, with an ascent of about 150 m (500 ft). Dogs are allowed only on leash in the parking lots, not on trails, the road or the shuttle.