Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in Yosemite
add photosThe Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, near Yosemite's South Entrance, contains about 500 mature giant sequoias. Giant sequoias are perhaps the largest living things on Earth.
Tram tour tickets: adults $$$, children $$
http://www.yosemite.ca.us/mariposa_grove_of_giant_sequoias/#map
12 Reviews for Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in Yosemite
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'11, '12, '130 families found this helpful
"Walk through a tree!"
We drove in from the South Entrance and visited the grove as our first stop. We went for a short hike up to the Tunnel tree, where we got to walk right through a tree. The signs along with way provided us with an interesting history of the area. We all enjoyed our first stop in Yosemite!
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1 family found this helpful
"amazing!"
We love to visit Yosemite--and the Mariposa Grove. All ages will be amazed at the size of these trees! It is a fun place to explore and walk around. You can bring food and have a picnic. There are little walking paths throughout this grove. A must see when in the Yosemite Valley. I think it is closed during some of the winter months due to road conditions--check to make sure it is open.
0 families found this helpful
"TAKE THE TRAIN"
We did take the train, but I am so glad we did. Luckily, my in-laws went before (and are senior citizens) and they knew the ins/outs. You have a recording of what is going on around you and learn so very much. Of course it was fun to listen to all the other languages sometimes too. The trees are magnificient, but you learn so very much more history etc. if you go on the tour. It is a little expensive, but the train stops and lets you take pics etc. too.
0 families found this helpful
"Great outdoor space to take kids"
We really enjoyed learning about the sequoia trees with our son. I think this is an awesome place to take children of any age. There are several fallen trees that you can look at and walk through. We were blown away by the sheer magnitude of the space. An excellent place to visit with or without children.
0 families found this helpful
"Half awesome, half wicked"
we did the walk from the tram stop up to the upper grove and museum. my DH refused to pay 96$ for 5 of us to take the tram up as recommened by many many a guidebook. instead we hiked it. the lower part was a bit challenging for my 4yr o,d but he wasn't too unhappy. we got to see the Grizzly Giant and the California Tree (which has a tunnel in it you can stand in). this part I would recommend whole heartedly. the second part, to the Upper Grove, is Not Worth It. it was a very very steep hike. the payoff was minor. there is a restroom (flush) and a tiny cabin that serves as th emusuem, and the best part... a cold cold water fountain. everything really impressive is in the lower grove. stay there. or plan to spend the dough to tram it to the top and walk down. ps. asthmatic? remember your inhaler. I am an allergic asthmatic and the dust really played havoc with my breathing.
3 families found this helpful
"Explore the "big trees""
The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, located just two miles from the South Entrance to Yosemite National Park, is home to some 500 of the largest living things on the planet. We first took my oldest son to the “big trees” when he was two and he was completely awe-struck.
Skip the pricey tram ride and scout out the surroundings on foot. The 1.6-mile roundtrip hike to the Grizzly Giant is a good option for kids and will take you right past the California Tunnel Tree, so named because visitors used to be able to drive their cars right through it! Not only did my then 2 year old love all the trees, but he found plenty of bugs to check out on the ground, too!
This place gets toasty during the summer, so be sure to pack your sunscreen and plenty of water.
1 family found this helpful
"Great hike, big big trees"
Mariposa Grove is at the south entrance to the park. Often the parking lot is full and you can park in the lot just inside the gate (if it's not full also) and take the bus up to the grove. This is the same shuttle bus that goes through the entire park. It is free.
There are amazing trees here, really big ones, that you can walk through (they get to be hollow). You can pick up a map (might have to pay a small amount for it) and walk. They also have a pricey tram ride. My mom wasn't into much walking so she paid for the tram ride and it was nice- narration which told you what you were seeing, and stopped occasionally so you could get out and walk up to the trees. The narration is available in multiple languages. We had my 1 year old with us and we seated him on the seat between us in the middle so he wouldn't fall out. In fact he fell asleep!
If you are a more active family, I highly recommend hiking it yourself. There is a shop at the top and rest rooms. You can also take the tram ride up and walk down, but there is no discount for not riding the second half. Had we been there without my mom, we would've put my son in the backpack carrier and hiked up and down.
This is pretty far from Yosemite Valley, but if you're at Yosemite, you must see the big trees.
0 families found this helpful
"Dissappointed about Mariposa Grove"
It took way too long to get there from the Yosemite valley and when we got there, we were turned away because of lack of parking. GRR. After backtracking 14 miles to Wawona, we left our van and took a shuttle. When we got to Mariposa Grove, everything was for sale. Even the maps were not free. The guided tour was 15 bucks each...way too pricey for me. We walked to the Grizley tree. This tree was the best tree worth seeing. It was a seedling when Christ was born! Overall, we were better off walking, but it seemed really long, especially for small feet.
1 family found this helpful
"Simple and relaxing"
On our way to San Francisco, after admiring Glacier Point, we make a stop at the Mariposa Grove. It is relaxing and at the same time very impressive to be surrounded by these beautiful trees.
Stop by, you will not regret it. Children and adults alike will have a nice time.
1 family found this helpful
"take a ride"
Around June , they have extended hour to ride wagon.
If you can catch the last one, you could enjoy explesion and they might let you walk back through trees from last part. If you wish to stay ride, sure you can. I like this place in right before sunset.
0 families found this helpful
"Fun with the Family"
The largest of three sequoia groves in Yosemite. It’s the home of the 209-foot, 300-ton Grizzly Giant, the Columbia (290 feet), and dozens more 2,000- to 3,000-year-old sequoias, the world’s largest living things. One branch of the Grizzly Giant is more than 6 feet in diameter, and the cinnamon brown bark is 24 inches thick.
The narrated, open-air tram tour stops frequently for passengers to hop on and off to wander nature trails on the way to a vista point at 6,810 feet, overlooking the vast Wawona forest basin. Instead of taking the tram back to the parking lot, wander the 2.5-mile, easy downhill route on footpaths beneath the fragrant branches. In the cool stillness you’ll hear only bustling chipmunks and the prattle of Stellar’s jays; trillium and wild iris spring from carpets of moss and fern.
2 families found this helpful
"Nice Easy Hike"
The hike is easy, and we enjoyed exploring the forest along the trail. This is a good hike for older kids who can walk a few miles, and it is very peaceful to be among the redwoods.
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