The grove occupies a small valley at an elevation of 5,469 feet (1,667 m) and is accessible by a 2.5 km (1.6 mi) dirt trail.

[1][2] The grove hosts about 20 large trees with a relatively open understory, and are spread out over the last 0.4 km (0.25 mi) of the trail.

This made the grove accessible to visitors from across the country, who could take a train to Merced, then travel by stagecoach through Coulterville and into Yosemite.

Foresta, a private summer camp near the park's western entrance, was established near Merced Grove.

[4] Merced Grove was the first Yosemite destination to open to automobiles each spring after the winter months of impassable roads.