Lower Mariposa Grove Trail

Overview

Welcome to the front row of Yosemite’s giant sequoias. The Lower Mariposa Grove packs many of the grove’s headliners into a short walk amid more than 300 mature sequoias—some approaching 2,000 years old. Giant sequoias aren’t the tallest or widest trees on Earth, but they are the largest by volume, and you’ll feel that scale immediately.

Route Options (lengths are total)

• Lower Mariposa Grove Loop: 2.6 miles, typically 1–2 hours. This variant adds a quiet detour to the Faithful Couple.
• Grizzly Giant Loop: 2.0 miles, ~300 feet of gain on a steady climb to the Grizzly Giant; 1–2 hours depending on stops.
• Big Trees Loop: 0.3 miles on boardwalk/flat path; a quick, accessible sampler.

Surfaces range from boardwalk near the start to wide compacted dirt with some steps; it can be muddy after weather.

What You’ll See

This lower-grove circuit strings together the Fallen Monarch, the Bachelor & Three Graces, the famous Grizzly Giant (among the largest sequoias on Earth), and the photogenic California Tunnel Tree. The 2.6-mile variant adds the Faithful Couple—two sequoias fused at the base. Along the way, interpretive panels explain sequoia ecology and the role of fire in regeneration.

Getting There & Logistics

Most visitors park at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza near the South Entrance and take the free shuttle to the grove when it’s running (every 10–20 minutes in season). A tiny lot at the grove fills fast. When shuttles aren’t operating, you’ll need to walk about 2 miles each way (roughly 500 feet of gain) via the Washburn Trail or the closed Mariposa Grove Road just to reach the start. Water is available at the Welcome Plaza year-round and at the Arrival Area in summer only. Restrooms are at the Welcome Plaza, a picnic area on the Washburn Trail, the Arrival Area, near the Grizzly Giant, and at the Grove Cabin. Trailhead elevation is around 5,600 feet.

Best Time to Hike

Honestly, whenever you can—these trees impress in any light. That said, arrive early to beat the crowds and secure parking. Peak hours concentrate people around the Grizzly Giant and Tunnel Tree. In winter, expect snow/ice and factor in the extra approach when the shuttle isn’t running.

Tips & Tradeoffs

• This loop is easy overall, but the climb to the Grizzly Giant is steady—don’t underestimate it if you’re pushing a stroller.
• Want fewer people and a bigger workout? Continue beyond the lower grove into the upper grove toward Wawona Point—longer, quieter, and more elevation.
• Pets aren’t allowed on any trails, roads, or shuttles in the grove. Bicycles are only permitted on the Mariposa Grove Road between the Welcome Plaza and the Grizzly Giant when the road is open, not on the trails.