Home > The Groveland Hotel - A Serenite Hotel Near Groveland > Local Attractions
Places to Visit Near Yosemite:
Hike through a tree.
Yes, you heard us right, you can hike through a giant redwood tree with a stop by the Giant Redwood Tunnel in Tuolumne Grove. An easy hike through the beautiful redwoods will lead travelers to this beautiful stump: where you can walk through the very heart of this old retired giant.
Originally carved out to allow tourists to drive their horse-drawn buggies through, now this easy hike takes visitors down an old road through the very heart of this beautiful tree, with helpful placards and signs along the way explaining the significance of the area and the process of carving history through the redwoods.
Explore the Moaning Caverns.
The amazing Moaning Caverns were first explored by gold miners in the 1840s and 1850s and are now a very popular activity for the entire family. Explorers will descend into these magical and mysterious caves by way of narrow spiral staircases, and then expert tour guides will teach you the history of these caves as you explore further below the earth's surface. Learn about the various minerals that make up the dripping walls, or go spelunking in unit areas if you’re feeling brave.
Above the surface, other activities include axe throwing, panning for gemstones and exploring the visitor center where you can see old arrowheads and even a necklace that is estimated to be over 8,000 years old.
Visit the Yosemite History Center.
While many people come to Yosemite, few take the time to learn the history of this beautiful park or see some of its more special artifacts and treasures. Stop by the Yosemite History Center year-round to see some of the original buildings that were in the park, from a Chinese Laundry to a blacksmith’s forge.
It took a massive coordinated effort to preserve Yosemite for future generations to enjoy. The History Center truly commemorates the efforts of people, the events they experienced, and the issues they faced during the establishment of Yosemite as a national park.
Stop by the Cowboy Museum.
The Cowboy Museum is just a short drive away and commemorates the adventuresome spirit of the American West, as well as the essential role that California’s Central Valley played in shaping that history.
Packed full of local memorabilia from rodeo trophies and working saddles, explorers can learn about the history of cowboys in California and the cattle ranching that still thrives in the Central Valley today. It's a hands-on museum, so feel free to touch a bronc rein, listen to the bell attached to a bull rope, or pick up a cattle brand to feel the heft of it in your hand.
The Legend of Lyle
Step into Room 15 at the Groveland Hotel, and you may find yourself sharing quarters with Lyle, a prospector from the 1920s who has never quite checked out. Lyle, a quiet and somewhat eccentric miner, first arrived at the hotel after searching for gold in the nearby Spring Gulch region. He was known for his peculiar habits—like sleeping with a case of dynamite under his bed—and for his fondness for the Groveland, where he lived until his peaceful passing in 1927. But death didn’t deter Lyle from his beloved room. To this day, guests report that Lyle remains a steadfast, if somewhat finicky, resident, ensuring his room remains just as he likes it.
Ghostly Quirks
Visitors to Room 15 often experience Lyle’s presence through small, mysterious occurrences. He’s known for rearranging items on the dresser, particularly disliking women’s cosmetics, which he frequently moves to the sink. Lyle is also fastidious about hygiene, as evidenced by faucets that mysteriously turn on and off. He’s not a fan of bright lights, either - those who try to read late at night might find their lights dimmed without explanation. Yet, despite his ghostly quirks, Lyle’s presence is more playful than menacing, adding a touch of supernatural charm to the room.
A Haunting Attraction
Far from scaring guests away, Lyle’s ghostly antics have made Room 15 the most sought-after suite at our haunted hotel in Northern CA. From reports of locked doors refusing to open to late-night calls from an empty room, Lyle’s activities have become part of the hotel’s unique appeal. Some guests even claim to have seen Lyle himself, a tall, slender figure with a beard, who occasionally makes appearances late at night. While the Groveland Hotel’s elegant décor, cozy bar, and first-class dining are reason enough to stay, it’s Lyle’s enduring presence that gives the hotel its singular, unforgettable character.
Explore the Groveland Museum.
Groveland and big Oak Flat were instrumental towns in the 1850s as gold rush towns, and later both served as gateways to the newly established Yosemite National Park. Explore the Groveland Yosemite Gateway museum to leam more about our beloved town, the local residents, see artifacts from around Groveland, and more.
This museum is a perfect opportunity to learn more about the life and history of southern Tuolumne County. and if you look carefully you may even be able to see a photograph or two of the Groveland itself. We are proud to be members of the city of Groveland’s beautiful and unique history.
Little Golden Forest Trail.
Easy 2-mile loop. From Groveland Hotel go 8.1 miles east on Hwy 120 to the Stanislaus National Forest Groveland District Ranger Station turnoff on the right. Park at the Ranger station and look for the trailhead sign. The Little Golden Forest Trail is co-sponsored by Little Golden Children’s Books and National Arbor Day Foundation and was built to restore an area along Hwy 120 destroyed in the 1987 Stanislaus Complex Fire.
These 150- acres have been planted, and the trail built, in part by children in the local area with funding coming from donations made by children to Little Golden Books. Pay a visit to the Ranger Station before you leave and check out their resources.
Rainbow Pools.
Not a hike, but a lovely place to play in the water. At one time the Cliff House welcomed guests here until is burned in 1939. 13 miles east on Hwy 120 from the Groveland Hotel, just before the bridge over the South Fork of Tuolumne River (if you reach the Cherry Lake turnoff to the left, you’ve gone too far) turn right into the parking area where you’ll find picnic benches and restrooms.
This area does get busy in the summer because who doesn’t enjoy a cool swim on a hot summer’s day?
Carlon Falls Trail.
From the Groveland Hotel head east on Hwy 120 for 23 miles and turn left on Evergreen Road, just half-mile before the main entrance into Yosemite National Park. Drive for 1 mile to the parking area on the right. The easy 4-mile round trip trail follows the river upstream to the falls where you can have your picnic lunch and enjoy the view.
At the parking, you can also cross the road and head down-stream to an old forest service office parking area, with picnic tables and sweet spot to wade in the cool water. Be cautioned that there was quite a bit of storm damage this past winter and the trail currently has areas where you must go over, under or around downed trees.
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.
Not to be missed is the part of Yosemite National Park known as the Hetch Hetchy Valley, which receives far less visitors than Yosemite Valley. In a controversial move, the O’Shaughnessy Dam was built to supply San Francisco with its water supply. Exactly an hour from the Groveland Hotel, take Hwy 120 to Evergreen Road and follow it to the parking area at the Dam.
Hike over the dam, through the tunnel, and along the edge of the reservoir where the waterfalls will be cascading above you and Wapama Falls rage ahead of you. Walk as far as you’d like on this easy hike. To Wapama Falls and back is under 5.5 miles round trip. Hetch Hetchy is open in the summer from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm daily and as part of the National Park, you do pay the entrance fee, which is also valid at the main entrance to the park.
