Nelder Grove near Sierra Sky Ranch

What’s actually there

Nelder Grove holds dozens of mature giant sequoias, along with the stumps and other traces the loggers left behind in the 1800s. The grove is named for John Nelder, a settler who built a cabin here in the 1870s and spent over a decade in these trees before the Forest Service acquired the land decades later. That history is part of what makes the place feel different from Mariposa — you’re walking through a working landscape as much as a preserved one.

For a family-friendly loop, park at the interpretive center. Two restored cabins and a 3D map of the grove are right there, which makes it an easy place to get oriented before you set out.

From the center, follow the road down past the campground toward Bull Buck. Walk a short way past the tree itself and turn around — that’s where you get the view most people come for. Bull Buck stands close to 250 feet tall and is one of the largest trees in the grove.

Loop back onto the main trail and head north across a couple of small footbridges. This stretch takes you past the old logging stumps, over a creek, and to the Chimney Tree — a sequoia you can walk through, with the scarring from past fires still visible on the inside.

The honest part

In 2017, the Railroad Fire burned through much of Nelder Grove and killed 38 of the grove’s 92 monarch trees. The Shadow of the Giants trail was closed permanently as a result and hasn’t reopened. It’s worth knowing before you go, both because the damage is visible on parts of the loop and because trail conditions in this area can still shift year to year — fallen trees, storm debris, occasional closures. If you’re planning a specific route, a quick check with the Bass Lake Ranger District or our front desk before you head out will save you a wasted trip.

Trails in the grove range from short quarter-mile stretches near the interpretive center to about five miles for the more ambitious routes. None of it is technical. Good shoes and water are enough.

If you’re planning something bigger than a hike

Ten minutes from the interpretive center — 2.4 miles down the road — is The Lodge at Two Moons, our sister property in the same stretch of Sierra National Forest. It’s built for groups: weddings, corporate retreats, family reunions, multi-day wellness stays. The property has several distinct venue spaces, so a 20-person retreat and a 150-person wedding can both be hosted well, just differently.

The chef-led catering team builds custom menus per event — locally sourced fruit and baked goods for morning arrivals, a dessert spread paired with the stargazing at night, s’mores at the fire pit to close things out. Guests can stay in the on-site lodge cabins, or a short drive away with us at Sierra Sky Ranch.

If you’re weighing Nelder Grove as a backdrop for a wedding or retreat rather than a hike, the Lodge at Two Moons is worth a visit, property viewing by appointment only.

Why we like sending people here

Mariposa Grove will always be the bigger draw, and it should be — it’s Yosemite, and the trees are extraordinary. But Nelder Grove is closer to Oakhurst, rarely crowded, and gives you the giant sequoia experience without the shuttle lines. It’s a good half-day in the morning when you’re not rushing into the park, or the afternoon after you’ve already seen the Valley and want something quieter.

If you’re staying with us and want current trail conditions before you drive out, ask at the desk. We hear from guests fairly often after they’ve been, and we’re happy to point you toward whichever loop fits the time you’ve got.