Yosemite National Park is home to approximately 550 to 600 mature Giant Sequoias, primarily located within three distinct groves. The largest and most famous is the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, situated near the park's south entrance, which contains about 500 mature trees, including the iconic Grizzly Giant and the California Tunnel Tree. This grove underwent a massive $40 million restoration to protect the fragile root systems and improve the visitor experience. The other two groves are significantly smaller and more secluded: the Tuolumne Grove and the Merced Grove, each containing about two dozen (20-30) mature trees. While these numbers may seem small compared to the thousands found in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks to the south, Yosemite's sequoias are some of the most studied and protected in the world. It is important to note that "mature" refers to trees that are large enough to be counted individually; there are many more "younger" sequoias and saplings throughout these areas. These ancient giants are the largest living things on Earth by volume and can live for over 3,000 years, surviving through their thick, fire-resistant bark and unique ability to thrive in the specific soil and climate of the Sierra Nevada.