The Tuolumne Grove is one of three giant sequoia groves in Yosemite National Park, California, containing approximately two dozen mature giant sequoia trees. This 2026 visitor guide covers access times, park entrance fees, how to get there, parking, accessibility, what to see, and practical tips for planning your visit.
The grove is a popular stop on Yosemite National Park day tours from San Francisco.
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) |
| Trailhead location | Tioga Road (Highway 120), 0.5 miles east of Crane Flat junction |
| Distance from Yosemite Valley | Approximately 16 miles (30-minute drive) |
| Hike distance | 2.5 miles round trip |
| Time needed | 1 to 2 hours for hike; allow extra time for parking and facilities |
Tuolumne Grove access hours
The Tuolumne Grove trail is accessible year-round, 24 hours daily. The trailhead parking area on Tioga Road remains open throughout the year, though winter conditions bring snow and ice to the trail. Highway 120 (Tioga Road) from Crane Flat to the trailhead stays open year-round, but tyre chains may be required during winter months. The eastern portion of Tioga Road beyond Crane Flat to Tuolumne Meadows typically closes from November through late May or early June due to snow. Check current road conditions on the National Park Service website before travelling in winter.
Why book the Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias day trip from San Francisco?
- Visit Yosemite’s iconic landscapes: See famous natural wonders such as Yosemite Valley, granite cliffs and cascading waterfalls in one unforgettable day.
- See giant sequoia trees: Walk among some of the world’s largest and oldest trees, offering a humbling experience amid ancient forest giants.
- Expert local guide: Knowledgeable guides share insights on geology, ecology and the park’s natural history throughout the tour.
- Comfortable round-trip transport: Includes direct travel from San Francisco so you can enjoy the scenery without arranging your own logistics.
- Perfect for nature lovers: A full-day immersion in one of America’s most beloved national parks, ideal if you want a comprehensive Yosemite experience in a single outing.
Yosemite National Park entrance fees
Access to the Tuolumne 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 outrageous $100 per person extra fee, unless they have a non-resident America the Beautiful Annual Pass. These cost $250.
Entrance fees and information were checked and updated in January 2026.
How to get to the Tuolumne Grove
From Yosemite Valley, take Highway 120 (Big Oak Flat Road) northwest for approximately 10 miles to the Crane Flat junction. At Crane Flat, where the Crane Flat gas station is located, Highway 120 becomes Tioga Road heading east. Continue on Tioga Road for approximately 0.5 miles; the Tuolumne Grove parking area is on the left (west) side of the road, adjacent to a National Park Service maintenance compound.
From the Big Oak Flat Entrance on Highway 120, drive approximately 7 miles southeast to Crane Flat, then continue 0.5 miles east on Tioga Road to the trailhead parking on the left. The nearest major airports are Fresno Yosemite International Airport (approximately 100 miles south) and San Francisco International Airport (approximately 190 miles west). No public transport serves the trailhead. Check road conditions before travelling, particularly in winter when snow affects Highway 120.
Without your own wheels, the easiest way to visit is on a Yosemite day tour from San Francisco.
Parking at the Tuolumne Grove
The trailhead parking area is a spacious lot that accommodates cars, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles. Parking is free with valid park entrance. During summer months, the lot can fill quickly, particularly between late morning and mid-afternoon when tour buses arrive. Spaces typically become available as hikers complete the 1 to 2-hour round-trip hike and depart.
Arrive before 09:00 or after 16:00 to avoid peak parking demand. The parking area has limited accessible parking spaces near the trailhead. Pit toilets are available in the parking area. There are no restrooms, drinking water, or facilities at the grove itself or along the trail. Fill water bottles before leaving the parking area.
How long to spend at the Tuolumne Grove
The complete hike takes 1 to 2 hours for most visitors. The trail descends 500 feet over one mile from the trailhead to the grove entrance, requiring approximately 20 to 30 minutes downhill. The half-mile nature loop through the grove takes 20 to 30 minutes at a leisurely pace. The return uphill climb to the parking area typically takes 30 to 45 minutes and is moderately strenuous. Allow additional time for parking, using facilities, and resting. Visitors should budget 2 to 2.5 hours total from arrival to departure.
Accessibility at the Tuolumne Grove
The Tuolumne Grove trail is not wheelchair accessible. The trail follows the former Big Oak Flat Road, a paved surface in poor condition with cracks, uneven sections, and a steep downhill grade. The trail descends 500 feet in one mile, with grades reaching 12 to 15 per cent in places. The return uphill is moderately strenuous and may be challenging for visitors with limited mobility or cardiovascular conditions.
Dogs are allowed on the paved main trail through the grove but must be kept on a leash. Dogs are not permitted on side trails within the grove. Bicycles are not allowed on the trail. Visitors requiring accessible giant sequoia viewing should consider Mariposa Grove, which offers wheelchair-accessible paved trails and tram service to reach the grove.
Pit toilets at the trailhead parking area are accessible. There are no facilities along the trail or in the grove. No drinking water is available at the trailhead or grove; bring adequate water for the hike.
What to see at the Tuolumne Grove
The trail follows the Old Big Oak Flat Road, one of the first roads into Yosemite Valley, built in the 1870s as a toll road. The road carried traffic until 1945 and remained open to vehicles until 1993. The paved but deteriorating surface descends through mixed forest of sugar pines, white firs, and incense cedars before reaching the grove.
Approximately one mile from the trailhead, an “Entering the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias” sign marks the grove entrance. The first sequoia appears 0.2 miles past this sign. The grove contains approximately two dozen mature giant sequoias scattered among the surrounding forest, along with several fallen sequoias and fire-scarred stumps.
The Dead Giant (also called the Tunnel Tree) is the most notable feature, located along the half-mile nature loop. This fire-scarred sequoia stump was tunnelled in 1878 to attract tourists and served as a drive-through tree until 1993. Visitors can walk through the tunnel on foot. Other features include fallen sequoias exposing massive root systems, mature living sequoias ranging from 15 to 25 feet in diameter, and interpretive signs explaining sequoia ecology, fire adaptation, and forest management.
The grove sits on a cool, shady west-facing slope kept moist by North Crane Creek, which flows through the valley. The forest floor features undergrowth of dogwoods, ferns, and smaller trees. The half-mile self-guided nature trail begins at the Tunnel Tree, bears left down the road, crosses a bridge at a small picnic area, and loops back to the main road. Some giant sequoias grow on the opposite side of the road surrounded by dense vegetation.
Beyond the grove, the Old Big Oak Flat Road continues downhill for 4.5 miles to Hodgdon Meadow near the Big Oak Flat Entrance, though most visitors return to the trailhead after exploring the grove.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip |
|---|
| Arrive before 09:00 to secure parking and hike before tour groups arrive, particularly during summer months. |
| Bring adequate drinking water as none is available at the trailhead or on the trail. At least one litre per person is recommended. |
| Use restrooms at the trailhead before starting the hike; there are no facilities at the grove or along the trail. |
| Remember the return hike is 500 feet uphill and moderately strenuous; pace yourself and take breaks as needed. |
| Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good traction as the paved surface can be slippery when wet or icy. |
| In winter, expect snow and ice on the trail. Microspikes or traction devices are recommended. The trail is popular for snowshoeing. |
| Allow extra time if hiking with children or less experienced hikers, as the uphill return can be challenging. |
| 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 Tuolumne Grove suitable for children? | Yes, children can complete the hike, though the 500-foot uphill return may be tiring. Children aged 5 and older typically manage the trail with rest breaks. |
| Do you need to book in advance? | No advance booking is required for the trail. However, Yosemite National Park entrance fees must be paid at park entrance stations. |
| Is the Tuolumne Grove accessible in winter? | Yes, the grove is open year-round. Winter brings snow and ice to the trail, making it popular for snowshoeing. Expect strenuous conditions and bring appropriate gear. |
| Are restrooms available? | Pit toilets are available at the trailhead parking area. There are no facilities at the grove or along the trail. |
| How long does the hike take? | The round-trip hike takes 1 to 2 hours, with 30 to 45 minutes required for the uphill return to the parking area. |
| Is there wheelchair access? | No, the trail is not wheelchair-accessible due to steep grades and uneven paved surface. Mariposa Grove offers accessible sequoia viewing. |
Things to do near the Tuolumne Grove
Merced Grove, another small sequoia grove containing approximately 20 mature trees, is located 3 miles west of Crane Flat on Big Oak Flat Road. The hike is 3 miles round trip with 600 feet elevation gain on return, and typically less crowded than Tuolumne Grove. Crane Flat, at the junction of Big Oak Flat Road and Tioga Road, has a gas station, seasonal campground, and access to hiking trails.
Yosemite Valley is approximately 16 miles (30-minute drive) from the trailhead and contains numerous attractions including Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan Meadow, and visitor services. The classic panorama, taking in Bridalveil Fall, is from Tunnel View before you enter.
Tuolumne Meadows, accessed via Tioga Road (typically open late May through October), is approximately 40 miles east of the trailhead and offers subalpine meadows, hiking trails, and the Tuolumne River. Mariposa Grove, the largest sequoia grove in Yosemite with over 500 mature trees, is located near the South Entrance, approximately 35 miles from the Tuolumne Grove via Yosemite Valley and Highway 41.
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.
