Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
4.5
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4.5
439 reviews
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Joseph Robba
Charlotte, NC2,281 contributions
Sept 2020
It was a bucket list item for my wife to see some Sequoias on our trip to the Sierras, and unfortunately the Mariposa grove was closed due to the Creek Fire. We opted to check out the Tuolumne Grove, as it was one of the few areas that had Sequoias and was open.
I'll say that the grove itself is a bit disappointing. I believe there are about 7-8 Sequoias in total, which is a touch underwhelming, when we originally were hoping to see multiple Sequoias all the in the same place. We brought our young kids (ages 8, 5, and 2), and I would say at least for us, it was a bit much to hike down there and back for everyone. The hike down to the Grove isn't bad, but the hike back is mostly uphill, and proved to be quite challenging for us with the kids. The hike itself is not a hard hike, it's just a bit long for the little ones, and having to drag them and backpacks with camera equipment/snack and water, made the trek challenging.
I personally was underwhelmed by this particular grove. The Sequoias themselves, though few, are impressive. There is a dead tree tunnel that our kids enjoyed seeing, but overall It was a long walk down, and a long walk back, for very little.
I'll say that the grove itself is a bit disappointing. I believe there are about 7-8 Sequoias in total, which is a touch underwhelming, when we originally were hoping to see multiple Sequoias all the in the same place. We brought our young kids (ages 8, 5, and 2), and I would say at least for us, it was a bit much to hike down there and back for everyone. The hike down to the Grove isn't bad, but the hike back is mostly uphill, and proved to be quite challenging for us with the kids. The hike itself is not a hard hike, it's just a bit long for the little ones, and having to drag them and backpacks with camera equipment/snack and water, made the trek challenging.
I personally was underwhelmed by this particular grove. The Sequoias themselves, though few, are impressive. There is a dead tree tunnel that our kids enjoyed seeing, but overall It was a long walk down, and a long walk back, for very little.
Written 10 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bidule05
France1,918 contributions
Sept 2020
In Yosemite national park, we hiked the fine Tuolumne Grove Trail (round trip: 2.5 miles, 500-feet elevation gain on return trip; duration: 1.5 hours).
We were amazed by the wonderful and majestic mature giant sequoias, especially the famous “Tunnel sequoia”. We learnt that the tunnel was gauged into the dead giant sequoia in 1878!
We were amazed by the wonderful and majestic mature giant sequoias, especially the famous “Tunnel sequoia”. We learnt that the tunnel was gauged into the dead giant sequoia in 1878!
Written 10 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SAI_Traveller_2015
Hyderabad, India330 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Visited grove couple of weeks back. Please carry food and water. Walk is close to 5 miles if you wish to see fallen trees and complete the loop.
Will take 4-5 hours.
Will take 4-5 hours.
Written 26 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1991KEB
Navarre, FL1,610 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
This was a fun walk, about a mile of switch backs and a 400 foot elevation drop, a 10 percent elevation drop. There was snow in several areas to wear correct shoes. The sequoia's were beautiful but remember you have to back up once you get to the bottom.
Written 9 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tracey k
Redmond, WA757 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
So, we are camping at El Portal with friends. We had just visited Sequoia National Park and driven down. Friends never seen a sequoia tree. For various reasons we end up at Tuolumne Grove. Merced grove is closed, mariposa drive time too much. To be fair, friends happy with excursion. I was just…sad. This example of leftover sequoias just….nothing like SNP. Still., if this is the only sequoia you can get to, easy enough, but you will work up some heat on Mile walk uphill from the grove to the parking lot. Certainly some nice photographs to be had. I would say in conclusion, go to Mariposa Grove.
Written 18 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathrine
Pennsylvania609 contributions
Oct 2021
If this is your only chance to see Sequoias, then do this hike. If you plan to go to Sequoia NP, then skip this. There are not many sequoias (maybe 8 in total) at the bottom of the mile+ hike down the hill with an elevation difference of 400'. Take water. The sign says allow 2-3 hours and they mean it. It's easy to go down, but coming up could be/might be challenging for some even though the path is somewhat paved.
Written 30 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J M
East Lyme, CT75 contributions
June 2022 • Family
This was our third stop on our way down Tioga Pass. We weren’t able to stop at Mariposa Grove so this was our best option to see the sequoias. The whole trip is about 3 miles round trip. Obviously the hill back to the parking lot is harder to walk then the trip down. We had a bottle of water and we’re just fine. There’s Fallen Giant, Dead Giant Tunnel Tree and a dozen or more big Sequoias. My kids loved crawling through the hollow trees and staring at the sheer enormity of the sequoias. There are benches at the bottom that families were eating at and a few places to sit and rest. Not many though. Definitely worth the hike. We’re from the Northeast and while we have some mighty oaks and pines, they are nothing like the giant sequoias.
Written 24 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clint S
Ellijay, GA393 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
This was a crowded place and a tough walk to look at big trees. There are better places to go view scenery of the park. Big trees. Really big trees of course but nothing special.
Written 2 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pingaroo
Chicago, IL2,163 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
Giant sequoias are naturally found only in California, and Yosemite NP has three groves: Mariposa (biggest; closed for restoration until fall 2017), Tuolumne, and Merced (smallest). The Tuolumne Grove & Nature Trail starts from the parking lot on Tioga Road and is 2.5 mi/4 km roundtrip. The trail is rated moderate due to 500 ft/150 m elevation change. The trail condition is very good - paved up to the Nature Trail, which consists of soil terrain.
We chose the Tuolumne Grove over the Merced Grove because it is larger and the trail is slightly shorter (2.5 mi vs. 3 mi). We did this trail at 4PM on the Saturday of the extremely busy Memorial Day weekend. It took us roughly 1 hour with many photo stops. Although Yosemite Valley and even Hetch Hetchy was very crowded, Tuolumne Grove was not. There were plenty of free parking spots, and most people were leaving the grove.
We found the trail very peaceful and beautiful as it wasn't busy and wildflowers were blossoming. We were lucky enough to encounter deer at Big Red, the first giant sequoia. Don't miss the Tunnel Tree and the Fallen Giant. We didn't encounter any mosquitoes on our way to the grove but were bitten by a few on the Nature Trail. Bring bug spray!
We chose the Tuolumne Grove over the Merced Grove because it is larger and the trail is slightly shorter (2.5 mi vs. 3 mi). We did this trail at 4PM on the Saturday of the extremely busy Memorial Day weekend. It took us roughly 1 hour with many photo stops. Although Yosemite Valley and even Hetch Hetchy was very crowded, Tuolumne Grove was not. There were plenty of free parking spots, and most people were leaving the grove.
We found the trail very peaceful and beautiful as it wasn't busy and wildflowers were blossoming. We were lucky enough to encounter deer at Big Red, the first giant sequoia. Don't miss the Tunnel Tree and the Fallen Giant. We didn't encounter any mosquitoes on our way to the grove but were bitten by a few on the Nature Trail. Bring bug spray!
Written 12 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marcia E
New York43 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
We really want to see sequoia trees and the Mariposa Grove was closed for renovation during our visit. We were directed to the Tuolumne Grove. Easy walk down to the grove. We stopped and stared with our mouths hanging open when we caught sight of the first sequoia you see. They really are indescribable in person. Tough hike back uphill to the parking lot but very glad we made the effort to visit.
Written 20 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the Tuolumne Grove Trailhead accessible during the winter? Searches have shown that Tioga Rd is closed after October and I plan to do a Viator tour in January that meets there.
Written 19 December 2017
The closure gate for Tioga Road is east of the parking lot for Tuolumne Grove. Tuolumne Grove will be accessible in January.
Written 30 December 2017
HoneyMoon2018
Pietrasanta, Italy
Ciao ! Ho letto che il sentiero si biforca a destra (Aspen Valley Road) e a sinistra (Big Oak Flat) così mi domandavo quale dei due sentieri è migliore ? Grazie
Irene
Written 7 December 2017
Mi scuso per il ritardissimo nella risposta ma vedo solo adesso il messaggio; anche io concordo che la scelta dipende dal tempo che hai a disposizione, non mi ricordo quale sia il più corto(quello che ho fatto io) ma nelle indicazioni è ben evidenziato il tempo di percorrenza di entrambi. La sequoia a tunnel si trova in quello più breve ma, non mi farei condizionare da questo nella scelta perchè non è poi così bella ed emozionante come le altre sequoie vive.
Written 10 January 2018
Buenos dias, voy a estar en Febrero por la zona, y como lei que Yosemite es complicado, queria ir a Mariposa Grove a ver por lo menos las Sequoias, esta bien o hay nieve?, donde me alojo ?, estoy viniendo de San Francisco, gracias!
Written 17 August 2017
Hi, just for clarification. You park the car at the Tuolumne Grove Trailhead and then you walk about 20 minutes to the high trees and then back?
Written 8 August 2017
Yes. The trail head will take a little bit longer than twenty minutes, especially going back up.
Written 21 October 2017
Can I take a stroller? Or would a wagon be better to take? ( have a little one to take on the trail)
Written 6 July 2017
It is a tarmac road, so a stroller should be ok, but it is very hilly
Written 8 July 2017
Hi, Live out. What would you like to know about this attraction?
How do we get to this trail head? I heard the Tioga Road is still closed? Do you think this is appropriate for an 8 year old? Thanks for your help! Best, Candy
Written 6 June 2017
It's easy to find and the trail head is well marked, and the trail itself is paved.
It's easy going down, but make sure you bring enough water, as the hike back up is a bit difficult.
An 8 year old should be able to handle it.
Written 26 June 2017
Yes, on the main trail (there are some side loops where dogs aren't allowed). From the Yosemite NPS website:
"There are a few additional (very obscure and unsigned) places where pets are allowed:
- Wawona: Wawona Meadow Loop, Chowchilla Mountain Road, and Four Mile and Eleven Mile fire roads (but not the Four Mile Trail in Yosemite Valley).
- Hodgdon Meadow: Carlon Road from the trailhead to Hodgdon Meadow and on the Old Big Oak Flat Road from Hodgdon Meadow to Tuolumne Grove parking lot."
Written 19 May 2021
Is this trail safe to walk ie no wildlife will jump on us :)
Written 4 October 2016
It's a paved road... very unlikely you will encounter any wild animals, as too many stupid humans around :)
Written 17 October 2016
We will be visiting in late May. Will this area be open? It seems like I read somewhere it doesn't open until June. Thanks!
Written 8 March 2016
Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias is open year round. The closure gate of Tioga Road is past the parking lot for Tuolumne Grove.
Note that this is a great question to post on the active TripAdvisor forum for Yosemite National Park. Several folks would offer their advice & feedback.
This Q&A feature is seldom viewed.
Written 1 April 2016
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