Pioneer Yosemite History Center

Yosemite National Park


Off Wawona Rd, about 6 miles north of Mariposa Grove, you can take in the manicured grounds of the elegant Big Trees Lodge and cross a covered bridge to this rustic center, where some of the park’s oldest buildings were relocated. It also features stagecoaches that brought early tourists to Yosemite, and offers short horse-drawn stagecoach rides in summer.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Yosemite National Park attractions

1. Chilnualna Falls

1.53 MILES

Chilnualna Creek tumbles around 2200ft over the north shoulder of forested Wawona Dome in an almost continuous series of cascades. The largest and most…

2. Wawona Swinging Bridge

1.81 MILES

Metal cables anchored to boulders on both ends of this 40 ft span over the South Fork of the Merced River keep the wobbling relatively light. Nice spot…

3. Mariposa Grove

4.02 MILES

With their massive stature and multi-millennium maturity, the chunky high-rise sequoias of Mariposa Grove will make you feel rather insignificant. The…

4. McGurk Meadow

9.94 MILES

Lush wildflower-strewn meadow with a historic log cabin. Makes for a nice, leisurely stroll.

5. Dewey Point Lookout

11.44 MILES

There are panoramic views of Yosemite Valley from this 7385ft ridge lookout.

6. Inspiration Point

11.49 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…

7. Yosemite National Park

12.18 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…

8. Bridalveil Fall

12.23 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…