The Mariposa Grove is the largest giant sequoia grove in Yosemite National Park, California, containing over 500 mature giant sequoias. Located in the southern portion of Yosemite near the South Entrance, the grove is home to famous trees including the 3,000-year-old Grizzly Giant, the California Tunnel Tree, and the Fallen Monarch. This guide covers access times, park entrance fees, how to get there, parking, accessibility, trails, and practical tips for planning your visit.
The national park idea is rooted in the Mariposa Grove; in 1864, President Lincoln signed legislation protecting the grove and Yosemite Valley for public use. The grove reopened in June 2018 following a major restoration project that improved giant sequoia habitat and visitor experience. Access is via free shuttle from the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza (mid-April through November) or a 2-mile hike when shuttles are not operating.
Mariposa Grove is one of the highlights on a small group Yosemite highlights day tour.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Access hours | Open year-round, 24 hours daily |
| Park entrance fee | $35 per vehicle (valid 7 days) | $30 per motorcycle (valid 7 days) | $20 per person on foot/bicycle (valid 7 days) |
| Shuttle location | Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza, near South Entrance on Highway 41 |
| Distance from Yosemite Valley | Approximately 35 miles (1.5-hour drive) |
| Shuttle operating season | Approximately mid-April through November (dates vary by weather) |
| Time needed | 2 to 6 hours depending on trail choice |
Mariposa Grove access hours
The Mariposa Grove is accessible year-round, 24 hours daily. Free shuttle service operates from the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza to the grove from approximately mid-April through November, with exact dates varying by weather and road conditions. Shuttle service begins no earlier than 15 April and closes on or before 30 November each year.
Shuttle hours: Buses arrive approximately every 15 minutes. From 10 May through 24 September, shuttles run 08:00 to 19:00 (last bus leaves the grove at 20:00). From 25 September through 1 November, shuttles run 08:00 to 17:00 (last bus leaves at 17:30). From 2 November through 30 November, shuttles run 08:00 to 15:30 (last bus leaves at 17:00). From December through mid-April, no shuttle service is available. Access during winter is via a 2-mile hike on the Washburn Trail or Mariposa Grove Road.
Yosemite National Park entrance fees
Access to the Mariposa Grove requires payment of Yosemite National Park entrance fees. A private vehicle pass costs $35 and is valid for seven consecutive days. This fee covers the vehicle and all passengers. Motorcycle entry costs $30 for seven days. Visitors entering on foot or bicycle pay $20 per person aged 16 and over for seven days; children aged 15 and under enter free.
The Yosemite Annual Pass costs $70 and provides unlimited entry for 12 months. The America the Beautiful Annual Pass costs $80 and covers entry to all US national parks and federal recreation lands for 12 months. Senior, military, and disability passes are available at reduced rates or free. Entrance fees are paid at park entrance stations and cannot be purchased online in advance. The park does not accept cash; credit and debit cards only.
As of January 2026, non-US residents aged 16 and over must pay an exorbitant $100 per person extra fee, unless they have a non-resident America the Beautiful Annual Pass. These cost $250.
Without your own vehicle, the best way of getting to the Mariposa Grove is on a small group Yosemite highlights tour.
Entrance fees and information were checked and updated in January 2026.
How to get to the Mariposa Grove
From Yosemite Valley, drive south on Wawona Road (Highway 41) for approximately 35 miles (1.5 hours). Pass through Wawona and continue to the South Entrance of Yosemite National Park. The Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza parking area is located 2 miles north of the South Entrance on the east side of Highway 41. From the South Entrance, the welcome plaza is a short drive north.
From Fresno and southern California, enter Yosemite via Highway 41 north through Oakhurst and Fish Camp. The South Entrance is approximately 65 miles from Fresno. Continue 2 miles past the entrance station to the welcome plaza. Free shuttle buses depart from the welcome plaza to the grove when shuttle service is operating (approximately mid-April through November).
When shuttle service is not available (December through mid-April), access the grove via a 2-mile hike on the Washburn Trail or Mariposa Grove Road from the welcome plaza. Both routes have approximately 500 feet elevation gain. The Mariposa Grove Road is open only to vehicles displaying a valid disability placard when operating (approximately mid-April through November).
Parking at the Mariposa Grove
The Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza has approximately 300 parking spaces for cars, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles. Parking is free with valid park entrance. The lot fills by late morning during peak season (summer months and weekends). Arrive before 09:00 to increase chances of finding parking, particularly on weekends and holidays.
When the parking area is full, visitors may need to wait for spaces to become available or return later. Alternative parking is not available nearby. Accessible parking spaces are provided at the welcome plaza. The Mariposa Grove Road is open only to vehicles with valid disability placards when operating; these vehicles can drive as far as the Grizzly Giant parking area.
For sequoias without the shuttle service faff, try the Tuolumne Grove elsewhere in the park.
How long to spend at the Mariposa Grove
Time required depends on which trail visitors choose. The Big Trees Loop Trail (0.3 miles, wheelchair accessible) takes 30 to 45 minutes. The Grizzly Giant Loop Trail (2 miles) takes 1.5 to 2 hours. The Guardians Loop Trail (6.5 miles round trip) takes 4 to 6 hours. The Mariposa Grove Trail to Wawona Point (7 miles round trip) takes 4 to 6 hours.
Add time for the shuttle ride (approximately 10 minutes each way when operating) or the 2-mile hike from the welcome plaza when shuttles are not running. Most visitors exploring the lower grove via the Big Trees Loop and Grizzly Giant Loop spend 2 to 3 hours total, including shuttle time. Visitors hiking to the upper grove should allow 5 to 7 hours.
Accessibility at the Mariposa Grove
The Big Trees Loop Trail (0.3 miles from the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area) is wheelchair accessible. The relatively flat paved loop features the Fallen Monarch and interpretive panels about giant sequoia ecology. Accessible restrooms are available at the arrival area (flush toilets in summer, vault toilets in winter).
Visitors with valid disability placards can drive on the Mariposa Grove Road (when open, approximately mid-April through November) as far as the Grizzly Giant parking area. A wheelchair-accessible trail section near the Grizzly Giant allows visitors to view this famous tree and surrounding sequoias without hiking from the arrival area.
Restrooms are located at the welcome plaza (year-round), grove picnic area (vault toilet, 1 mile from parking area via Washburn Trail), arrival area (flush toilets in summer/vault toilets in winter), near the Grizzly Giant (vault toilet), and Mariposa Grove cabin (flush toilet in summer/vault toilet in winter). Drinking water is available at the welcome plaza (year-round) and arrival area (summer only). Visitors should bring adequate water for hiking, particularly when only one water source is available.
Pets are not allowed on any trails, roads, or anywhere in the Mariposa Grove, including the Mariposa Grove Road and Washburn Trail. Pets are not permitted on shuttles. Bicycles are allowed on the Mariposa Grove Road between the welcome plaza and the Grizzly Giant when the road is open but are not allowed elsewhere in the grove.
What to see at the Mariposa Grove
The grove contains over 500 mature giant sequoias, some of the largest and oldest living trees on Earth. The Grizzly Giant is one of the largest sequoias in the world, estimated to be approximately 3,000 years old. The tree measures 30 feet in diameter at its base and stands 210 feet tall. One of the Grizzly Giant’s lower branches measures nearly 7 feet in diameter.
The Fallen Monarch is a massive fallen sequoia lying along the Big Trees Loop Trail. The hollow interior demonstrates the fire resistance of sequoia bark and heartwood. Historical photographs show cavalry troops on horseback and early automobiles driving through the hollow log. The Bachelor and Three Graces is a group of four sequoias growing close together, with one large tree surrounded by three smaller trees.
The California Tunnel Tree, located on the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail, had a tunnel cut through its base in 1895. Unlike the now-fallen Wawona Tunnel Tree, the California Tunnel Tree remains standing and visitors can walk through the tunnel. The Faithful Couple is a pair of sequoias that grew together, fusing their trunks at the base.
The Telescope Tree in the upper grove is a fire-hollowed sequoia standing upright. Looking up through the hollow interior reveals the sky, creating a telescope-like view. The Clothespin Tree, located on the trail to the upper grove, is named for its distinctive shape created by fire damage. The Mariposa Grove Cabin, built in 1930, is a historic structure in the upper grove that once housed a museum.
Wawona Point, reached via the Mariposa Grove Trail (7 miles round trip), provides panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. The overlook sits at the upper reaches of the grove with 1,200 feet total elevation gain from the trailhead. The fallen Wawona Tunnel Tree, located near the cabin in the upper grove, was a tunnel tree that stood until 1969 when it collapsed under heavy snow.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip |
|---|
| Arrive at the welcome plaza before 09:00 to secure parking, particularly on summer weekends and holidays when the lot fills quickly. |
| Bring adequate drinking water; water is only available at the welcome plaza year-round and at the arrival area in summer. |
| Pets are strictly prohibited everywhere in the Mariposa Grove, including all trails, roads, and shuttle buses. |
| Plan your hike based on fitness level and available time; the Big Trees Loop (30-45 minutes) and Grizzly Giant Loop (1.5-2 hours) suit most visitors. |
| When shuttle service is not operating (December through mid-April), add 4 miles round trip and 500 feet elevation gain for the walk from the welcome plaza. |
| In winter, expect snowy and icy trail conditions; bring appropriate footwear and consider snowshoes or cross-country skis. |
| No food services are available at the welcome plaza or in the grove; bring snacks and meals for longer hikes. |
| Stay on designated trails to protect fragile sequoia root systems, which extend up to 100 feet from the trunk. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Mariposa Grove suitable for children? | Yes, the Big Trees Loop (0.3 miles, wheelchair accessible) and Grizzly Giant Loop (2 miles) are suitable for children. Longer trails require more endurance. |
| Do you need to book in advance? | No advance booking is required for the shuttle or trails. However, Yosemite National Park entrance fees must be paid at park entrance stations. |
| Is the Mariposa Grove accessible in winter? | Yes, the grove is open year-round. Winter access requires a 2-mile hike as shuttle service does not operate. Expect snowy and icy conditions. |
| Are restrooms available? | Yes, restrooms are located at the welcome plaza, picnic area, arrival area, near the Grizzly Giant, and at the grove cabin. |
| How long does a visit take? | The Big Trees Loop takes 30-45 minutes; the Grizzly Giant Loop takes 1.5-2 hours; longer trails take 4-6 hours. Add time for shuttle or walking from the welcome plaza. |
| Is there wheelchair access? | Yes, the Big Trees Loop Trail at the arrival area is wheelchair-accessible. Visitors with disability placards can drive to the Grizzly Giant parking area when the road is open. |
Things to do near the Mariposa Grove
Wawona, approximately 7 miles north of the welcome plaza, contains the historic Wawona Hotel (built 1879), Pioneer Yosemite History Center with historic buildings and covered bridge, and seasonal ranger programs. The Chilnualna Falls Trail, accessed from Wawona, is a strenuous 8-mile round-trip hike to a 2,200-foot cascade waterfall.
Glacier Point, accessed via Glacier Point Road from Wawona Road (seasonal, typically late May through November), provides elevated views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and the High Sierra. The drive from the Mariposa Grove to Glacier Point takes approximately 1.5 hours. Yosemite Valley, approximately 35 miles (1.5 hours) from the Mariposa Grove, contains Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan Meadow, and numerous visitor services. Get the obligatory valley and Bridalveil Fall panorama photo from Tunnel View first.
Fish Camp and Oakhurst, located south of the park on Highway 41, offer accommodation, restaurants, and services. The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad in Fish Camp, approximately 4 miles south of the South Entrance, operates historic narrow-gauge steam trains through Sierra forest. Bass Lake, approximately 25 miles south of the South Entrance, provides recreation including boating, fishing, and swimming during summer months.
More California travel
Other California travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Inside Hearst Castle – the most expensive home ever built.
- The Grove of the Titans – seeing giant redwoods in Jebediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
- The best times to spot Roosevelt Elk at Elk Meadow in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.
- Visiting the Museum of Western Film History in Lone Pine.
- Why you should take the drive up through the Eastern Sierra to Whitney Portal.
