When the Native Americans traveled between the foothills and Yosemite Valley, Wawona was the halfway point on their journey. They called it Pallachun, meaning “a good place to stay.” This Indian encampment is now the small community of Wawona, home to the historic Wawona Hotel (formerly known as the Big Tree Lodge) and a private community of mountain cabins, many available to rent. Stay overnight (to relax on the wide veranda on one of the hotel’s Adirondack chairs is a Sierra rite of passage), or just spend a day in the area. (Ed. note: As of January 2026, the hotel remains closed indefinitely for repairs.)
The Restoration of Mariposa Grove
Wawona is also adjacent to Yosemite National Park’s south entrance, which offers good access to the magnificent Mariposa Grove. The oldest of Yosemite’s sequoia groves, Mariposa dates back to 1864, when Congress passed legislation to permanently preserve both the grove and Yosemite Valley. The grove went through a three-year restoration ending in 2018; this was designed to revive ecological processes, protect wildlife, and minimize the impact of car traffic on the 500 mature giant sequoias.
Things to Do at Mariposa Grove
At Mariposa Grove, the main draw is walking and hiking among some of the park’s largest and oldest giant sequoias, including iconic trees like the Grizzly Giant, Fallen Monarch, and California Tunnel Tree. You can pick from several trails: the easy Big Trees Loop, the moderate Grizzly Giant Loop, or longer routes such as the Guardians Loop and Mariposa Grove Trail that extend deeper into the forest and up toward Wawona Point.
A seasonal free shuttle—with variable dates, but starting no earlier than April 15, and typically running through November—travels between the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza and the grove itself, making access easier when it’s operating. The Welcome Plaza also has visitor information, restrooms, and a small bookstore.
In summer, take a dip in nearby swimming holes, follow the switchback hiking trail to Chilnualna Falls, and get a history lesson at Pioneer Yosemite History Center. Visitors can see exhibits inside the former Chinese laundry and the Acting Superintendent's Office buildings (moved there in the ‘50s and ‘60s from elsewhere in the park), take a horse-drawn carriage ride, or watch a blacksmith forge tools over a coal fire. Throughout the year the area is also a popular destination for horseback riding (through Yosemite Trails Horseback Adventures and Wawona Stable), picnicking, and birdwatching.
Parking and Other Nearby Sequoia Groves
Mariposa Grove has a consolidated parking area, farther away from the trees (catch the shuttle from the south entrance), and some roads have been turned into hiking trails, including a boardwalk walkway. You can also see giant sequoias in other parts of Yosemite: Visit Tuolumne Grove, on the Tioga Road just east of Crane Flat, and Merced Grove, located on Big Oak Flat Road east of the Big Oak Flat Entrance.