Merced Grove

Yosemite National Park


A dirt road, closed to cars, dips steeply down the smallest, densest and quietest sequoia grove in the park.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Yosemite National Park attractions

2. Tunnel View

9.62 MILES

Just off Hwy 41, immediately east of Wawona Tunnel, is the parking lot for this spectacular viewpoint where you can take in much of the valley floor,…

3. Inspiration Point

10.06 MILES

Some of Yosemite's best vistas are granted to those who hike the steep, 1.3-mile trail up to this viewpoint. Inspiration Point used to be a spot along an…

4. Rainbow Pool

10.18 MILES

About 15 miles east of Groveland, in the Stanislaus National Forest, Rainbow Pool is a popular swimming hole with a small cascade; it's signed on the…

5. Valley View

10.3 MILES

Views of El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall can be had from this valley-floor turnout.

6. Yosemite National Park

10.87 MILES

Yosemite means "killer" in the Indigenous Miwok language, and in today's parlance it's indeed an impressive, awesome site. Everywhere you look in Yosemite…

7. Ribbon Falls

10.88 MILES

At 1600 ft, Ribbon Falls, only seen from the west side of El Capitan, is the highest single drop falls in North America. There's no signage and no real…

8. Bridalveil Fall

11.24 MILES

At the southwestern end of the valley, Bridalveil Fall tumbles 620ft. The Ahwahneechee people call it Pohono (Spirit of the Puffing Wind), as gusts often…