The Mariposa Grove is located at the South Entrance to Yosemite National Park and is an often overlooked destination. There are over 500 giant sequoias located here and are really easy to access, even with small children. Watch our Mariposa Grove video HERE!

Hiking: If traveling with kids, I would recommend the following hikes.

Big Trees Loop Trail (easy)

• 0.3 mile (0.5 km) loop from trailhead, 30 to 45 minutes (wheelchair accessible)

• Begin at Mariposa Grove Arrival Area. Winding through a forest with many giant sequoias, this trail features the Fallen Monarch and interpretive panels on the life and ecology of giant sequoias. This loop is relatively flat and is wheelchair accessible.

• You can bring a stroller on this hike, it is more like a little scenic path than a hike. Really great for baby walkers but if you can do more, I would try to do the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail

Grizzly Giant Loop Trail (moderate)

• 2 miles (3.2 km) loop from trailhead, 1.5 to 2 hours

• Begin at Mariposa Grove Arrival Area. Start along the Mariposa Grove Trail at the Big Trees Loop and hike past notable trees such as the Bachelor and Three Graces, the 3,000-year-old Grizzly Giant, and California Tunnel Tree. Allow two hours to enjoy the full loop that winds along the edge of the grove and includes 300 feet (91 m) of elevation gain. Visitors with a valid disabled placard can drive as far as the Grizzly Giant parking area and enjoy this area of the grove via a section of trail that is wheelchair accessible.

• This trail is pretty easy for little walkers but I would NOT recommend bringing a stroller on the trail as it does get fairly narrow and rocky. I had mine and needed to carry it up which wasn't fun.

Parking: When you arrive at the grove, you will need to park your car and shuttle in. Below are the shuttle times for 2025. Please check HERE for updated information. During the winter, the shuttle is not available - you can hike the 2 miles in, but I would not recommend this with small children.

Shuttle Hours for 2025

Buses arrive about every 15 minutes

• May 10 through September 24: 8 am to 7 pm (last bus leaves Mariposa Grove at 8:30 pm).

• September 25 through November 1: Weather permitting, 8 am to 5:30 pm (last bus leaves Mariposa Grove at 5:00 pm).

• November 2 through November 30: Weather permitting, 8 am to 3:30 pm (last bus leaves Mariposa Grove at 5:00 pm).

• December 1 through (at least) April 15: No shuttle service available.