Giant sequoia trees are known as the largest living trees on the planet, and are often called nature’s skyscrapers. Indeed, they can reach the height of a 20-storey building!
Today, these enormous trees grow only on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and can not be found anywhere else on the planet.
In Yosemite National Park, you can find the giant sequoias in Mariposa Grove, as well as in two smaller and less crowded ones—the Tuolumne and Merced Groves.
The Mariposa Grove is the largest grove of giant sequoias in the park, with more than 500 species, and here you can find the oldest tree in the park named Grizzly Giant, estimated to be around 2000 years old. You can take a tram tour through Mariposa Grove from May until October.
The Tuolumne Grove has about two dozen giant sequoias. The one you can’t miss is the Tunnel Tree, which you can walk through!
The third, Merced Grove, is the smallest, with only about twenty giant sequoias. This grove is also the least crowded and provides a more secluded experience for hikers.
Since 1890, giant sequoias have been under protection in Yosemite, being the symbol of the park’s wild beauty.
Practical info
When is the ideal period to spot giant Sequoias in Yosemite?
It's recommended to visit Yosemite National Park between May to October to witness Giant Sequoia. During this period, the weather remains temperate and dry, creating a perfect atmosphere for outdoor hiking. Mariposa Grove, Tuolumne Grove, and Merced Grove are the three places in Yosemite where you can witness giant sequoias. Do note that the dry seasons often lead to wildfires, so it's critical to verify alerts before planning your trip. Show more
Where other than Yosemite can you locate Giant Sequoias?
Giant sequoias are exclusive to the western slopes of Sierra Nevada, a mountain range located in California, stretching for about 260 miles. Environmental and geographical changes have confined their habitat to the Sierra Nevada range. Although Coast Redwoods and Dawn redwoods are different types of Redwoods, they can be found in the coastal areas of California. Show more
What is the number of Giant Sequoia species in Mariposa Grove?
More than 500 giant sequoias are present in Mariposa Grove, located inside Yosemite National Park, making it the largest grove of these trees in the National Park. These groves house some of the most important Sequoias like California Tunnel Tree, the Bachelor and Three Graces, the Grizzly Giant, the Faithful Couple, and the Clothespin Tree, among others. Show more
When is the birth estimate of Grizzly Giant, Yosemite's oldest tree?
The oldest tree in Yosemite, known as 'Grizzly Giant,' is estimated to be over 2000 years old, making it the oldest living organic life-form in the National Park. The tree dates back to around 1000 BC, during the time when the Great Wall of China was built. The tree is 210 feet tall and has an extensive base of 27 feet diameter. Show more
What is unique about Merced Grove and how many Giant Sequoias are found there?
Around twenty Giant Sequoias can be spotted in Merced Grove, located inside Yosemite National Park. Even though it's the smallest grove in the park, it houses significant Sequoias like the Bull Buck, which happens to be the number one largest giant sequoia in terms of volume. It's an isolated and less crowdy place in comparison to Mariposa and Tuolumne groves. Show more
