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Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Yosemite South
view websiteSouth Entrance
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
209-372-1240
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Good-for-Kids Rating
Babies
Toddlers & Pre-KSchool-Age KidsPre-Teens & Teens
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias Description
Few things will make a child -- or grown-ups, for that matter -- feel as miniature as standing next to one of these trees. Many of the massive, ancient sequoias in the Mariposa Grove stretch more than 200 feet into the sky (as tall as a 20-story building!) and are between 1,800 and 2,700 years old. The seven-mile loop through the park is fairly flat and well-marked, and is worth trying with active kids who are about 10 and older; it should take you about four hours. Along the way you'll see many of the park's most famous residents: the 2700-year old Grizzly Giant, the Wawona and California Tunnel Trees, Faithful Couple, and the Clothespin.
Forest
Kid Tips
Babies: Carry your baby in a front pack to tour the park.
Toddlers & Pre-K: Opt to view the trees from the tram; even kids this young will be wide-eyed over their sheer size.
School-Age Kids: They'll love having their picture taken next to the trees, and exploring the forest.
Pre-Teens & Teens: Kids this age will get a kick out of completing the 7-mile hike.
Planning Notes
- Get there early or late. Try to get to Mariposa early in the morning, or in the early evening to avoid long lines of cars getting into the park (the lot is often full by 10 a.m.) You can also park at the Wawona Store and take the free shuttle.
- Take a narrated tour. If you don't want to explore on foot, the narrated 75-minute Big Trees Tram Tour will take you on a scenic ride from an open-air tram, available May through October (from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; call 209-372-4386 for schedules).
- Bring food. There is a gift shop that sells some snack items, but plan to pack a lunch if you're going to make a day of it.
- Don't walk on the trees' root systems. Despite their mass, sequoias are very fragile with shallow root systems that can be damaged if they're walked on, so remind little ones to stay on the designated walking paths.
Just the Facts
Hours: Open daily, year-round.
Fees: Free
Recommended Time: 2 to 4 hours
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What's Nearby?
- The Pioneer Yosemite History Center Highway 41, Wawona
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
209-372-0200 37.53932 -119.65974916666667 - Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad 56001 Highway 41
Fish Camp, CA 93623
559-683-7273 37.485040833333336 -119.6319288888889
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