Yosemite has a congestion problem, which can make visiting the park time consuming and frustrating. The park consistently receives more than 4 million visitors every year, the bulk of which travel to Yosemite Valley—a 7 mile long, 1 mile wide sliver of the whole national park.

With unmatched beauty plus dozens of trails known around the world, it’s no wonder why Yosemite receives so much love. But not everyone has the temperament or interest in waiting in lines and navigating crowds. Luckily, the Valley’s beauty extends into lesser known areas that receive significantly less traffic. These trails near Yosemite have none of the crowds and all of the park’s wonder.

Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias

Sequoias are one of California’s most remarkable trees, often towering between 250 and 300 feet in height. The sheer size of them rivals every other tree on the planet. Yosemite has a grove of these trees about an hour drive south of the Valley via Wawona Road.

During peak season between late May and early September, shuttles run from the main parking lot to the grove of Sequoia trees, which is otherwise only accessible via the 6.7-mile out and back Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias Trail. The hike meanders through a burn area and a partially sun-covered forest before taking you to the main Sequoias. Those who choose to hike the trail instead of snagging a shuttle can expect 1,217-feet of elevation gain on an even, highly developed dirt trail.

A bonus 2-mile hike from the main grove takes hikers to the Grizzly Giant, which is a 209-foot towering Sequoia. It’s the second-largest Sequoia in the national park. Although the tree’s protections prohibit us from knowing its exact age, some experts estimate that the tree is anywhere between 2,000 and 3,000 years old.

Another great side quest is located just north of Mariposa Grove at Yosemite’s History Center, where visitors can wander around a historical site and sit by the south fork of the Merced river for a leisurely lunch.

Town of Mariposa

Most Yosemite travelers come from San Francisco or Sacramento, which inevitably means that they’ll be driving east for a couple of hours. One iconic stop on the way to the park is the town of Mariposa, an hour’s drive west of Mariposa Grove. Although the town doesn’t have the sheer granite rock faces and grueling hikes of Yosemite’s main corridor, it’s a great stopover point where travelers can book a trip with the only skydiving company in the region that gives participants views of Half Dome before jumping. My 20-minute flight took me to an elevation of about 14,000 feet where I had the chance to gaze at Half Dome – the world’s biggest granite monolith, before returning to the jump site.

The town is also home to one of the nation’s most iconic climbing museums. The Yosemite Climbing Museum is covered with a gallery of images and pieces of gear that were used for some of the most impressive historical moments in climbing. Ken Yager, one of Yosemite’s original Stonemasters—a group of climbers who changed the face of climbing in the 70s by attempting increasingly more daring endeavors—is a constant presence at the museum. He’s been known to share top-secret adventure stories to those who stick around the museum long enough to hear them.

Mariposa Hikes and Swimming Destinations

Another side note to the town of Mariposa is that it does have a handful of hikes that are easily accessible to most adventurers. Among the best trail options is the Merced River Trail, although it can climb into 100-degree temps during the summer. Yet the 5.5-mile out and back route features a mellow 482-feet of elevation gain that takes hikers along the Merced River, which is a popular swimming area for people of most ages.

A lengthier hike option is the Hites Cove Trail. This moderate out-and-back climbs a little over 1,000 feet, taking travelers along the steep canyon walls above the Merced River. It’s dog friendly, and a great challenge for new or intermediate hikers. Just keep in mind that there’s very little shade along this hike, which means that sun protection, like a hat and sunscreen, and extra water are essential.

Diana Falls

Diana Falls, a 20-foot cascade leading to a swimming hole, is technically in the nearby town of Coulterville–a 40 minute drive north from Mariposa. But it’s worth the side-trip. Hike between beautiful cliffs on this trail that leads you to a swimming hole at the base of the Diana Falls cascades.