Things to do near Wawona Hotel: hikes, golf, and more
Wawona Hotel sits inside Yosemite National Park and gives direct access to nearby hikes (Wawona Meadow Loop, Chilnualna Falls, Mariposa Grove), an on-site nine-hole golf course and tennis courts. Note: the hotel is currently closed for a National Park Service condition assessment; check official reopening updates before planning a stay.
In this guide
Hikes that start at or near the hotel
The Wawona Meadow Loop trailhead is directly across the road from the Wawona Hotel and is a mostly flat 3.5-mile loop that typically takes 2–3 hours. The loop is open to hikers, bicycles and horses and is a good, gentle introduction to the park’s meadows and birdlife.
Chilnualna Falls trailhead is a few miles from Wawona and offers a steeper, longer hike to multiple cascades for hikers seeking more elevation and a longer day on the trail.
- Wawona Meadow Loop — roughly 3.5 miles, mostly flat
- Chilnualna Falls — steeper hike with multiple cascades; trailhead a few miles from Wawona
- Mariposa Grove hikes — trail options range from short accessible loops to multi‑hour routes (see next section)
| Trail | Typical length | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wawona Meadow Loop | 3.5 miles | Mostly flat; trailhead across the road |
| Chilnualna Falls | Variable | Steeper, longer hikes; access a few miles from Wawona |
| Mariposa Grove trails | 0.3–7.75 miles | Options from short Big Trees Loop to the long Mariposa Grove to Wawona Point |
Mariposa Grove and big sequoias
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is about 8 miles (roughly a 20-minute drive) from Wawona Hotel. Trails in the grove include the wheelchair-accessible Big Trees Loop (0.3 mile), the Grizzly Giant Loop (about 2 miles), and longer options such as the 6.5‑mile Guardians Loop or the 7.75‑mile round-trip trail to Wawona Point.
A seasonal shuttle runs from the Wawona Store to Mariposa Grove roughly early March through late November; Mariposa Grove Road is closed to private vehicles from late November to about April 1, so check current park information before driving.
- Big Trees Loop — 0.3 mile, wheelchair accessible
- Grizzly Giant Loop — about 2 miles (1.5–2 hours)
- Guardians Loop — about 6.5 miles (4–6 hours)
- Mariposa Grove Trail to Wawona Point — 7.75 miles round-trip, strenuous
| Trail | Length | Access/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Big Trees Loop | 0.3 mile | Wheelchair accessible |
| Grizzly Giant Loop | ~2 miles | Moderate; 1.5–2 hours |
| Mariposa Grove to Wawona Point | 7.75 miles RT | Strenuous; ~1,200 ft gain |
Golf, tennis and on-site recreation
Directly across the street from the Wawona Hotel is the historic nine-hole Wawona Golf Course, a seasonal course that is one of the few located inside a U.S. national park. Clubs and carts have been available to rent at the hotel in the past; confirm availability with the property before arriving.
The hotel also offers an outdoor tennis court and a seasonal outdoor swimming pool (typically open June through September when hotel operations and weather allow). Non-hotel guests have historically paid a small court fee for tennis.
- Wawona Golf Course — nine holes, seasonal; check onsite for rental clubs/carts
- Tennis — outdoor court on property; small fee for non-guests reported on some listings
- Pool — seasonal outdoor pool typically open June–September; subject to hotel operations and weather
| Amenity | Seasonality | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Golf course (9 holes) | Seasonal | Located across the street from the hotel |
| Tennis court | Seasonal/available when hotel operates | Small fee reported for non-guests |
| Outdoor pool | Typically June–September | Seasonal and weather-dependent |
Historic sites and short walks around Wawona
Within a short walk of the hotel are the Pioneer Yosemite History Center (Pioneer History Center) and Wawona’s covered bridge. The open‑air museum has historic buildings like a blacksmith shop, a pioneer home and a mid-1800s covered bridge.
Wawona also has a swinging bridge over the South Fork Merced River that still moves when you cross it, and a popular local swimming hole on the river used by visitors in warm weather.
- Pioneer Yosemite History Center — free open‑air museum with historic buildings
- Wawona Covered Bridge — mid-1800s covered bridge near the history center
- Swinging Bridge — pedestrian bridge that swings as you cross it
- South Fork Merced River — popular local swimming hole in warm weather
| Attraction | Type | Distance or access |
|---|---|---|
| Pioneer Yosemite History Center | Open‑air museum | A short walk from the hotel |
| Covered Bridge | Historic structure | Part of the History Center area |
| Swinging Bridge | Pedestrian crossing | Nearby, accessible on foot |
Day trips: Yosemite Valley and nearby towns
Yosemite Valley is reachable by car from Wawona; sources list roughly an 18.1-mile drive (about a 45-minute drive under normal conditions). Driving times vary with season, traffic, and road conditions, so plan extra time during peak months.
Nearby gateway communities include Fish Camp (about 7 miles) and Oakhurst (further south along Highway 41). Attractions within a short drive include Tenaya Lodge’s spa offerings and the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad near Fish Camp.
- Yosemite Valley — listed around 18.1 miles / roughly 45 minutes by car
- Fish Camp — about 7 miles from Wawona; dining and small attractions
- Oakhurst — larger gateway town with services such as bike rentals
- Sugar Pine Railroad — near Fish Camp, short drive
| Destination | Approx. distance from Wawona Hotel | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yosemite Valley | ~18.1 miles | About 45 minutes by car (subject to conditions) |
| Fish Camp | ~7 miles | Short drive; dining options and Sugar Pine Railroad nearby |
| Oakhurst | Further south on Highway 41 | Gateway town with services |
Practical info for visitors
The Wawona Hotel’s address is 8308 Wawona Road, Yosemite National Park, California, 95389. The property has been closed since December 2, 2024 for a National Park Service condition assessment; it is not accepting reservations while closed. Check official park or concessioner pages for reopening updates before you travel.
Guestroom details and services reflect the hotel’s historic character: the property offers 104 guestrooms across six buildings, with a mix of private and shared bathroom configurations, limited in-room technology (no TVs or telephones), and complimentary Wi‑Fi available in shared areas like the Sun Room and Golf Shop rather than in guest rooms.
- Hotel status — closed since December 2, 2024 for a condition assessment; no reopening date announced
- Rooms — 104 guestrooms across six Victorian buildings; 50 rooms with private baths, 54 with shared/central baths
- Wi‑Fi — complimentary in the Sun Room and Golf Shop only; not available throughout guestrooms
- Parking — free self/guest parking on site
- Room name on property: Room (; beds: 1 Queen Bed)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Check-in / Check-out | Standard check-in 4:00 PM (front desk staffed 24 hours), check-out by 11:00 AM (times may vary by booking channel) |
| Pool / Golf / Tennis | Seasonal; pool typically June–September; golf and tennis seasonal and subject to hotel operations |
| Pet policy | Pets not permitted except trained service animals complying with ADA Title III |
