Wawona Day Trip – Walking Distance or a Short Drive From Your Cabin!
Wawona may be less flashy than Yosemite Valley, its bustling cousin to the north, but make no mistake – there is plenty of natural beauty and history right at your doorstep when you stay at one of The Redwoods In Yosemite cabins.
Not only will you be tempted to linger on the deck of your cabin, surrounded by towering pines, or, in the winter, nestled in front of a cozy fire in the living room, you’ll find many nearby activities that will make a car trip entirely optional.
Here are just some of the ways you can spend a day in Wawona. (This map of Wawona will help you get oriented.)
Roam the Yosemite History Center in Wawona
The Yosemite History Center spans the South Fork of the Merced River not far from the intersection with Highway 41. Take a stroll through Yosemite’s past and peer in the windows of furnished cabins and buildings, consider escaping from the old jail, and imagine arriving in Yosemite on one of the old horse-drawn vehicles. During the summer months, volunteers open the cabins and portray historical figures from Yosemite’s past. You can also take a 10-minute horse-drawn stage ride from the Wells Fargo Office in the History Center.
Go horseback riding at the Wawona Stables
Just behind the Yosemite History Center, you can take a guided horseback tour of the Wawona area at the Wawona Stables. During the season, there are several 2-hour tours throughout the day, and experienced riders might consider an all-day ride to the nearby Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.
Take a Dip in the Local Swimming Holes
Swimming holes dot the South Fork of the Merced River as it runs through Wawona. Stop by the front desk at the Redwoods for directions to some of our favorite swimming holes.
Tiptoe Across the Wawona Swinging Bridge
Unlike the Swinging Bridge in Yosemite Valley that doesn’t swing, the Wawona Swinging Bridge bobs gently as you walk. When you’re done exploring the bridge, spend the afternoon sunning yourself on the smooth rocks at the river’s edge – an idyllic mountain stream experience.
Hike to Chilnualna Falls
Discover Wawona’s own waterfall – Chilnualna Falls.
A short 20-minute climb leads to a delightful small waterfall, which cascades over boulders and rocks just above Wawona.
If you’d like to continue, an 8.2-mile roundtrip hike gains almost 2,500 feet over 4 miles and will reward you with views into Wawona Valley and wooded ridges beyond, as well as spectacular views of Chilnualna Falls. Allow 6 to 8 hours for the roundtrip hike, and take plenty of water in the summer, as the trail is sunny and temperatures can be very warm.
Stroll the Wawona Meadow Loop
Enjoy a pleasant walk on the Wawona Meadow Loop Trail. This unpaved fire road skirts the edge of the Wawona Meadow and then circles back through pine forests to the Wawona Hotel. Enjoy wildlife and solitude on this 3-mile loop, which should take 1 – 1.5 hours depending on your walking speed.
Learn From Wawona Rangers
Tap into the knowledge of Yosemite’s NPS rangers to enrich your Yosemite visit. You can find them at the Wawona Visitor Center in the Thomas Hill Studio next to the Wawona Hotel. (Don’t forget to take a peek at the exhibit showcasing artist Thomas Hill’s artwork while you’re there!) Also, be sure to check the Yosemite Guide for current campfire programs, ranger-led walks, and evening entertainment.
Go Fish
Fishing is allowed on the South Fork from the last Saturday of April until November 15. You can obtain a California fishing license and guidelines at the Pine Tree Market in Wawona.
Savor a Bite to Eat at the Wawona Hotel
Relax with a beverage on the wide front porch of the historic Wawona Hotel before enjoying a delicious dinner in the Wawona Hotel Dining Room.
We Hope You Enjoy Exploring Wawona!
As with any day exploring outdoors, plan to bring a pack with essentials like water, snacks, a camera, insect repellant, and sunscreen. Most scheduled activities, such as ranger-led programs, are offered primarily during the summer months.
Tioga Road & Tuolumne Meadows – 2 hours one-way drive from The Redwoods
A drive long the Tioga Road to Tuolumne Meadows is a favorite summertime day trip. At 9,941 feet, Tioga Pass is the highest automobile pass in California. The road is closed once winter storms arrive, and efforts to clear the road of snow do not begin until late spring, with the road targeted to open by late May or early June. Always check current road conditions before planning a Tioga Road excursion. A drive along Tioga Road opens up some of Yosemite’s most stunning scenery, and here are just a few highlights:
- For any road trip in the Park, but especially along the Tioga Road, we recommend you purchase the Yosemite Road Guide, an informative book keyed to markers along all the Park’s major roadways.
- Be sure to stop at Olmstead Point, one of Yosemite’s most remarkable scenic overlooks. You’ll stand in awe of the expansive views of Tenaya Canyon, the backside of Half Dome (if you mount your binoculars on a tripod, you can actually see hikers climbing the cables to the top of Half Dome), and Clouds Rest. To the east you’ll enjoy a beautiful view of alpine Tenaya Lake and the peaks of the Tuolumne Meadows region.
- Spread a blanket on one of the many sandy beaches at Tenaya Lake and soak in the peacefulness of this dramatic setting. And if you have a little polar bear blood, take a refreshing swim in the frigid snow-melt fed lake.
- Drive on to Tuolumne Meadows and stop at the Visitor Center. You can get details about several great short walks or hikes that start out from this area, as well as morning and afternoon ranger-led walks and talks. Tuolumne Meadows is famous for its ever changing array of wildflowers. Ask one of the rangers at the Visitors Center for the best locations for wildflower viewing.
- Take an easy 1-mile walk to Parsons Memorial Lodge and Soda Springs. Exhibits at the Lodge tell the human history of Tuolumne Meadows, and is the place where John Muir and Robert Underwood Johnson conceived the idea of establishing Yosemite National Park.
- There is a grocery store and grill in Tuolumne Meadows, but if time allows, we suggest you continue east and exit the Park through the Tioga Pass Entrance. Just a short distance farther on the left is the Tioga Pass Resort, a fun place to enjoy a meal before making the return trip to Wawona. (Be sure to have your Park entrance receipt with you for re-entry into the Park. The $20 entrance fee is good for 7 days.)
- If you are traveling to or from Lake Tahoe, Death Valley, or Las Vegas, you can take this route as a one-way drive as you enter or exit the Park. Make sure you confirm road conditions before finalizing your plans.
On any day trip, always take along a pack with water, snacks, camera, binoculars, insect repellant, and sunscreen. Most scheduled activities, such as ranger-led programs, are offered primarily during the summer months.
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias- 20 minutes one-way drive from The Redwoods
Just a short drive away is the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Giant sequoias are also known as Sierra redwoods – not to be confused with the coast redwood, which are found in a separate range along the California coast. Giant sequoias are native only in isolated groups on the western slope of the central and southern Sierra Nevada. There are three groves of giant sequoias in Yosemite National Park – the Mariposa, Tuolumne, and Merced Groves. Of these, the Mariposa Grove is the largest and most often visited. It contains about 500 mature giant sequoias, and you can spend several hours to a full day exploring this
wonderland of towering giants.
- Plan to start your visit to the Mariposa Grove either early in the morning or mid-to-late afternoon. There is limited parking at Mariposa Grove. During summer months and spring and fall weekends, the Grove parking lot is usually full by 10:00 am, and parking opens up again after 3:00 pm. There is a free shuttle bus from the Wawona Store to the Grove during these peak hours.
- Pack a backpack lunch or dinner, as there is only a seasonal gift shop with very limited snack items at the Grove.
- There is both an Upper and Lower Grove in the Mariposa Grove. All the trails in the Grove are uphill, so we recommend buying a ticket (1999 season – $8.50/adult) for a ride on one of the open-air trams that run about every 20 minutes. Ride the tram to the Upper Grove, where you can visit the Mariposa Grove Museum. Pick up a trail guide before boarding the tram.
- If you’d like to add a scenic view of the Wawona Basin to your day, take a short hike from the Wawona Tunnel Tree (a tram stop – ask the driver for trail directions) to Wawona Point. From the Point you’ll see Wawona Meadow, golf course, and Wawona Dome. The short roundtrip walk should take less than an hour.
- After exploring the Upper Grove, you can either reboard the tram, or hike down to the Grizzly Giant. Again, you can reboard the tram at the Grizzly Giant or hike down to the parking lot. The full hike from the Upper Grove to the parking lot is 2 miles, and should take about 2-3 hours. The hike from the Grizzly Giant to the parking lot is just under a mile, and along the way you’ll see an abundance of majestic sequoias that make up the Lower Grove. If you have time for only one hike in the Grove, this should be it. Allow about an hour for the one-way hike from the Grizzly Giant to the parking lot.
- Check the Yosemite Guide for a variety of ranger-led walks in the Grove, if you’d like to hear the fascinating story of the giant sequoias from a park naturalist.
- During the winter season, trails in the Grove are marked for cross-country skiing or exploring on snowshoes.
On any day trip, always take along a pack with water, snacks, camera, binoculars, insect repellant, and sunscreen. Most scheduled activities, such as ranger-led programs, are offered primarily during the summer months.
Yosemite Valley Day Trip – 1 hour one-way drive from The Redwoods
Yosemite Valley’s seven square miles is the most visited area of the park, and for good reason. At every turn, you will be treated to one of the outstanding scenic wonders of the Park. Yosemite Valley is also the hub of the Park’s educational, recreational, shopping, and dining choices. In fact, you could make several day trips to the Valley, if you are inclined to spend time exploring or hiking. We’ve outlined below our suggestions for a one-day visit to the Valley, and then listed many of the other choices for you to customize your own day tripping plans.
One-Day Visit to Yosemite Valley
- Start early, and take a backpack lunch with you.
- Take your Yosemite Guide. The Yosemite Guide is published quarterly and you should receive one at the Park Entrance Station when you enter the Park. We have a small supply of Guides at our office, and one can also be obtained at the Park’s Valley Visitor Center. The Guide has a detailed map of the Park and Yosemite Valley, as well as current information about Park programs, guest services, operating hours, and the free Yosemite Valley Shuttle Bus.
- Stop at Tunnel View pullout for your first breathtaking view of Yosemite Valley.
- Park your car at the day-use parking lot at Curry Village, and take the free Yosemite Valley Shuttle Bus to the Valley Visitor Center (Shuttle Bus Stop #6).
- The Valley Visitor center is a good place to start your visit. Park information, orientation programs, exhibits, and books are available.
- Reboard the Shuttle Bus to Yosemite Falls (Shuttle Bus Stop #7). The walk to the base of the falls is easy and short.
- Consider a two-hour Valley Floor Tour (1999 season – $17.50/adult), which you can board from Yosemite Lodge (Shuttle Bus Stop #8). A 2-hour, 26 mile tour on an open-air tram or enclosed motor coach (depending on weather) to see and photograph the beautiful landmarks and waterfalls in Yosemite Valley. Guides will share information about Yosemite’s animal and plant life, as well as the geology and history of the Park.
- Reboard the Shuttle Bus to Happy Isles (Shuttle Bus Stop #16). Enjoy your backpack lunch soothed by the sounds of tumbling water near the Happy Isles Nature Center. A seasonal snack stand is nearby. The Happy Isles Nature Center is open late spring to early fall. Check the Yosemite Guide for operating hours of both the snack stand and Nature Center.
- Happy Isles is the trailhead for hikes to Vernal and Nevada Falls. Hike to the Vernal Falls footbridge (1.4 miles, 1-2 hours) for a stunning view of this cataract, or continue along the Mist Trail to the top of Vernal Falls (3 miles roundtrip; 2-4 hours). This is considered a "moderate to strenuous" hike.
- Reboard the shuttle bus to the Curry Village day-use parking lot (Shuttle Bus Stop 1).
- Return to your cabin at The Redwoods for a great home-cooked dinner, or enjoy dinner before leaving Yosemite Valley. You can choose from a variety of dining experiences in various Valley locations, ranging from snack food to fine dining. Check the Yosemite Guide for your dining choices.
Customize Your Yosemite Valley Day Trip
Just a Few of Your Other Choices
- Rent bicycles at Yosemite Valley or Curry Village and tour the Valley on more than 12 miles of surfaced bike paths.
- Visit the Yosemite Museum Gallery, Indian Cultural Exhibit and Village, and Ansel Adams Gallery, all located in Yosemite Village near the Visitor Center.
- Join a Park Service Ranger for a walk to explore Yosemite’s natural and cultural history. Check the Yosemite Guide for the current schedule.
- Venture out on one or more of the many Yosemite Valley Day Hikes described in the Yosemite Guide.
- Rent a raft at Curry Village and float along the Merced River soaking in the changing scenery of Yosemite Valley.
- In winter, ice skate in the shadow of Half Dome at the Curry Village outdoor ice rink.
- Attend an evening performance of the Yosemite Theater, which offers a variety of theatrical and musical presentations. Check the Yosemite Guide for the current schedule.
- Enjoy an elegant dinner at The Awhawnee Dining Room or The Mountain Room at Yosemite Lodge. Note that for dinner, a suit coat and tie for men, and dresses or evening pantsuits for women are preferred at The Ahwahnee Dining Room.
On any day trip, always take along a pack with water, snacks, camera, binoculars, insect repellant, and sunscreen. Most scheduled activities, such as ranger-led programs, are offered primarily during the summer months.
Pet Friendly Vacation Rentals in Yosemite National Park
There is no reason to leave your pet at home when you come to The Redwoods In Yosemite. We have many fully equipped Pet Friendly vacation homes! The Redwoods In Yosemite (located INSIDE Yosemite National Park) has several pet friendly hiking trails nearby. And the 7th night is always FREE at The Redwoods! There is a $25 charge per pet, per night (two pets maximum).
Service animals are always allowed and welcome. There is no extra charge for a service animal.
Yosemite National Park Pet Policies
- Pets are allowed in Yosemite National Park. There are some restrictions and regulations that will ensure that your pet and Yosemite Wildlife are protected from disease and from each other.
- Inside the Park, pets are allowed on fully paved trails and roads, on a leash 6 feet or shorter, and cannot be left unattended.
- Inside the Park, pets are NOT allowed on unpaved or poorly paved trails, except for the Meadow Loop and Four Mile fire roads in Wawona, on the Carlson Road, and on the Old Big Oak Flat Road between Hogdon Meadow and Hazel Green Creek.
- Inside the Park, pets are NOT allowed in the back country, beaches, meadows, shuttle buses, or in public buildings.
For the courtesy of other visitors, human companions are responsible for cleaning up and depositing pet feces in trash receptacles.
Our Pet Friendly vacation homes accommodate up to 10 guests in up to 4 bedrooms. Homes are privately owned and reflect the owner’s tastes and requirements. Every home has a fully-equipped kitchen with a microwave, coffeemaker, toaster, and housewares, bed and bath linens, heat system,and deck with barbecue. Additional amenities available in selected homes include telephone, TV/VCR, satellite television system, game room, gas grill, dishwasher, and hot tub.