Mariposa Grove has no separate ticket; Yosemite’s entrance fee covers access, and the seasonal shuttle is free.
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At Yosemite’s South Entrance, paid listings can make Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias Tickets look like a separate attraction pass. The grove itself does not work that way: you pay Yosemite National Park’s entrance fee, park at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza, and ride the free shuttle when it is running.
Paid options only make sense if you want a Yosemite tour, a transport-included day trip, or help reaching the grove without managing park traffic. For most visitors with a car, the right purchase is simply the Yosemite entrance pass.
Paid ticket listings make sense only when they package transportation, a guide, or a broader Yosemite day tour around the grove:
Do You Need A Ticket For Mariposa Grove?
Mariposa Grove does not require a separate attraction ticket once you are inside Yosemite National Park. The gate fee for Yosemite is the admission charge that gets you access to the grove.
The usual route is simple. Drive to the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza near the South Entrance, use the day-use parking area, and take the free shuttle to the grove arrival area. The shuttle is the normal access route when the Mariposa Grove Road is open.
Private vehicles are not allowed to drive the Mariposa Grove Road when it is open, except vehicles displaying a disability placard. Visitors with a valid placard can drive close to the Grizzly Giant area and use an accessible section of trail.
Mariposa Grove Tickets: What The Fee Covers
Yosemite entrance passes cover the park, not just one grove or one trail. A standard private-vehicle pass is valid for seven consecutive days, so the same pass can cover Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Glacier Point Road when open, and Mariposa Grove.
The National Park Service lists the current Yosemite entrance fees on Yosemite’s official fees page, including the $35 private-vehicle pass and cashless payment rule at park entrances.
| Ticket Or Pass | What It Covers | Current Cost Or Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Mariposa Grove-only ticket | No separate admission product is sold for the grove | $0 beyond Yosemite entry |
| Yosemite private vehicle pass | Non-commercial vehicle with 15 or fewer passenger seats for seven consecutive days | $35 |
| Yosemite motorcycle pass | Up to two private, non-commercial motorcycles for seven days | $30 |
| Individual entrance pass | Person age 16 or older entering on foot, bicycle, horse, or non-commercial bus or van | $20 |
| Yosemite Annual Pass | Yosemite entrance for 12 months for US citizens and residents | $70 |
| America The Beautiful Annual Pass | Federal recreation entrance fees at National Park Service and other federal sites | $80 for US citizens and residents; $250 for non-US residents |
| Free entrance day | Entrance fee waived for US citizens and residents on listed National Park Service dates | $0 entrance fee; other fees may apply |
| Mariposa Grove shuttle | Ride from the Welcome Plaza to the grove arrival area while shuttle service runs | $0 |
| Bus parking reservation | Passenger carriers over 21 feet need a Mariposa Grove bus parking reservation | Operator responsibility; private cars do not need one |
Reservations And Shuttle Rules For 2026
Yosemite does not require a general entrance reservation in 2026, but the park entrance fee still applies. The practical limit at Mariposa Grove is parking, not a timed entry ticket.
The Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza has about 300 parking spaces, and Yosemite warns that the lot can fill by late morning. A morning arrival gives you a far better shot at parking, especially on summer weekends.
For 2026, the National Park Service lists Mariposa Grove shuttle service from May 3 through September 23 from 8 am to 7 pm, with the last bus leaving the grove at 8 pm. From September 24 through October 31, weather permitting, shuttle service runs 8 am to 5 pm, with the last bus leaving the grove at 5:30 pm.
Winter access changes the trip. When shuttle service is not running, access to the grove is via a two-mile hike each way on the Washburn Trail or Mariposa Grove Road, with about 500 feet of elevation gain.
What You Actually See Inside The Grove
Mariposa Grove is Yosemite’s largest giant sequoia grove, with about 500 mature giant sequoias near the park’s South Entrance. The shortest visit focuses on the lower grove and the Grizzly Giant area.
The Big Trees Loop is the easiest taste of the grove and works well for visitors with limited time. The Grizzly Giant Loop is the better pick if you want the famous sequoias, the California Tunnel Tree, and a fuller walk without committing to the upper grove.
- Big Trees Loop: A short lower-grove walk near the shuttle arrival area.
- Grizzly Giant Loop: About two hours, including the Grizzly Giant and California Tunnel Tree.
- Guardians Loop: A strenuous 6.5-mile round trip that reaches the quieter upper grove.
- Mariposa Grove Trail To Wawona Point: A strenuous 7-mile round trip with about 1,200 feet of elevation gain.
Pets are not allowed on the trails, roads, shuttle, or anywhere in the grove. Drinking water is available at the Welcome Plaza year-round and at the arrival area in summer only, and there are no food services in the grove.
Where To Stay Near The South Entrance
Oakhurst is the easiest outside-park base for Mariposa Grove because it sits south of Yosemite’s South Entrance on Highway 41. Wawona is closer but has fewer lodging choices, so Oakhurst usually gives travelers more rooms, restaurants, and grocery options.
Staying near the South Entrance helps if Mariposa Grove is your first stop of the day. Staying in Yosemite Valley can still work, but the drive to the grove adds time and makes an early shuttle easier to miss.
For lodging near the South Entrance and Oakhurst, compare the area on a map before choosing a room:
Use A Guided Yosemite Tour If Driving Sounds Like Too Much
A guided Yosemite tour can be a better value than a ticket alone if you do not want to manage entrance lines, parking, and the shuttle transfer. The right tour should clearly state whether Mariposa Grove is included, because some Yosemite tours focus only on Yosemite Valley.
Look for three details before paying: pickup point, time actually spent at Mariposa Grove, and whether the Yosemite entrance fee is included. A tour that includes the grove, Glacier Point when open, and Yosemite Valley can save planning effort, but it will be a long day.
For Yosemite tours that may include Mariposa Grove, compare the route details carefully before choosing:
Which Ticket Should You Buy?
Most visitors should buy the Yosemite private-vehicle entrance pass or use an America The Beautiful Pass, then ride the free Mariposa Grove shuttle. A separate Mariposa Grove attraction ticket is not needed.
- Driving one car: Pay the $35 Yosemite private-vehicle entrance fee unless you already have a valid pass.
- Visiting multiple national parks: Use an America The Beautiful Pass if the math works for your trip.
- Entering without a car: Expect the per-person Yosemite entrance fee for ages 16 and older.
- Using a commercial tour or bus: Confirm whether the operator has handled the required bus parking reservation.
- Visiting in winter or outside shuttle dates: Plan for the two-mile walk each way before you reach the grove trails.
The cleanest plan is to arrive early, bring water and snacks, check the shuttle schedule the morning you go, and treat Mariposa Grove as a Yosemite entrance-fee stop rather than a separate ticketed attraction.
References & Sources
- National Park Service.“Fees & Passes – Yosemite National Park.”Supports the current Yosemite entrance pass prices, pass rules, cashless payment policy, and nonresident fee details.