Nelder Grove

nature enthusiasts this is a serene spot in the Sierra National Forest and offers a truly magical experience among towering giant sequoias. There are awe-inspiring presence of ancient trees, including the famous Bull Buck Tree. The trails are well-marked and accessible for hikers of all levels, with options ranging from easy strolls to more moderate routes. The Bull Buck Tree is a must-see—standing beneath its immense branches, you can't help but feel a sense of wonder at its age and grandeur. Whether you're marveling at the massive sequoias, enjoying the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees, or spotting wildlife, every step feels like a moment to treasure. Nelder Grove is well-maintained, and the interpretive signs along the trail provide fascinating insights into the area's history and ecology. If you're in the Yosemite area or looking for a quieter alternative, Nelder Grove is a must-visit.

We visited in the shoulder season (late october) and the whole place was blissfully uncrowded even on a Saturday. There were handful of people. No doubt the unpaved but good roads kept people away. I imagine there are alot more people at Mariposa Grove. The trees aren't as plentiful and uniformly huge as those at Mariposa Grove but still quite impressive, especially the bull buck tree and the chimney tree. These trees can be visited in a short, flat 2 mile trail. Well worth the visit. A more ambitious 5+ mile hike will bring you to more. During late October some of the trees are exhibiting fall colors.see photos. October is also an excellent time to camp here. Lots of open spots and the temps are perfect. Note the Shadow of the Giants trail is closed in 2018 due to the fires of 2019.

When I went in spring of 2021 there was lots of debris on trail and large fallen trees to cross due to a winter wind storm. There was damage to some structures. It was closed later in the season due to hazard trees so please check with the Bass Lake ranger station before you go. Be careful not to block people in when parking and cause a traffic nightmare. Also be careful not to get lost on faint sections of trail. Shadow of the Giants trail is closed indefinitely due to the railroad fire destroying that portion of the grove.

We came here after doing two days in Yosemite Valley. Of course the valley is beautiful, but it was such a relief to get away from people and have a trail to ourselves. And the giant sequoias! Yowza! This time of year the trails were wet, and we had to climb over downed trees across the trail, but that only made me love it more. Totally worth a stop. The route there was twisty, and it was a pitted uphill dirt road at the end, but our rental Malibu made it up just fine.

Amazing! Chimney trail is 1.4 mike loop through multiple giant sequoia trees. There are old cabins near parking/trailhead.