75th Anniversary
75 Years in Yosemite
In 1949, in a quiet stretch of forest inside Yosemite National Park, a group of homeowners decided to preserve their mountain homes and keep them open for future generations. They wanted their families to experience the park, and to share it with the public. Together, they founded The Redwoods In Yosemite, dba Wawona Property Management Inc.
In 2024, The Redwoods In Yosemite marks 75 years of welcoming travelers from around the world to one of the most iconic places on earth. Over seven and a half decades, the collection of vacation homes has grown into a lasting institution, holding tradition alongside a genuine commitment to preserving its heritage.
Today, The Redwoods operates more than 115 vacation home rentals, plus a wedding and event center, in the town of Wawona inside Yosemite National Park. The majority of the homes are individually owned by 73 shareholders, ranging from intimate log cabins to spacious family homes.
We are immensely proud to celebrate 75 years of serving our guests with dedication and passion. This anniversary reflects the enduring legacy of the families who first built homes here and the unwavering commitment of our staff.
Christian Mueller, General Manager
The Redwoods is not just a management company. We are deeply woven into the fabric of this community. We have seen fires, the pandemic, and a brutal windstorm in 2021 that forced evacuations. We have always strived to give back, and we work closely with the National Park Service and the Wawona community.
Christian Mueller
All of The Redwoods cabins sit inside Yosemite National Park, about 4.5 miles inside the south gate on Highway 41 in the town of Wawona. It is the closest community to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, home to more than 500 mature sequoias including the Grizzly Giant and the California Tunnel Tree. Chilnualna Falls, the second-highest vertical drop waterfall in Yosemite, is just steps from many of the cabins, with a trail that leaves right from town.
Throughout 2024, The Redwoods will share this milestone with guests, staff, homeowners, and shareholders. Festivities kicked off with the Annual Homeowners Meeting on April 5, 2024.
In the meantime, take a deep dive into The Redwoods history with a series of Recollections of Life and Events in Wawona. We would love for you to share your own memories of Wawona and The Redwoods too.
What Does The Redwoods Mean to You?
Over generations, countless visitors have driven down Chilnualna Falls Road for the first time in search of an answer to that question. To those who made that journey, we all were that person at one point. The uniqueness of that first memory, and those that followed, is as individual as the Redwoods itself.
It is a constant appreciation of that mix of the familiar and the new that makes the Redwoods so special. Places like this are rare. In many ways, its continued existence is an improbable outcome for a small establishment inside one of the great national parks. Were it not for decades of care from its early founders and every generation that followed, the story of the Redwoods might read quite differently.
Acknowledging every contribution that helped bring the Redwoods to where it is today would be a daunting task. Then again, that debt of gratitude may already be paid in full. Anyone who has spent time here has received something meaningful in return: memories. To the person those memories belong to, they are likely priceless.
Several individuals have generously shared their thoughts on the Redwoods for all of us to enjoy. Perhaps that will compel you to share yours as well. It's not difficult. You just have to ask yourself: what does the Redwoods mean to you?
By Jon Finney, WPMI Board of Directors President 2012–2016
75th Anniversary
Read the Recollections
History: Life and Events in Wawona
Recollections
Explore
Chilnualna Falls Trail
Plan Your Visit
Browse All Cabins in Wawona
We Care
The Redwoods In Yosemite is active in our community. Our Company Mission Statement includes being a leading, respected, and supportive member of the Wawona/Yosemite community as part of our framework.
Our team members volunteer for Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Facelift, Adopt a Highway, and fundraisers including the annual community park fundraiser, Wawona Charter School fundraiser, and local fire department support events. We are active members of our gateway Chamber of Commerce, Yosemite Gateway Community Partners, High Sierra Visitor's Council, and Yosemite Gateway Tourism Bureaus. We sponsor Valley Children's Hospital, Sierra Art Trails, our local Boys and Girls Clubs, and various community outreach events.
Community Partners & Memberships
