NORTHWEST MARIPOSA COUNTY

Mariposa County’s northwest corner is foothill, canyon and crag country. The bedrock landscape is marked by ruddy outcroppings and plunging valleys along its highways. Big blue reservoirs here are fed by the Wild & Scenic Merced River and provide ample opportunities for water recreation.

LODGING

In this region of Yosemite Mariposa County, the lodging is all about proximity to the lakes like McClure, McSwain and Don Pedro and options include camping and vacation rentals.

The majority of lodging options are around Lake McSwain and Lake McClure where the Merced Irrigation District operates one of the largest camping and RV campgrounds in the region including the Lake McSwain Recreation Area, Barrett Cove Recreation Area and Horseshoe Bend Recreation. These sites range from typical campsites for popping a tent or parking an RV to cabins for small families on the waterfront.

Further upriver, Bagby Camping & Recreation Area is located just below the Wild & Scenic Merced River at the inlet of Lake McClure, offering a wide range of campsites and boat launch.

HIGHWAYS

Highway 49

Highway 59

Highway 132

HUBS

Lake McClure

Lake McSwain

Lake Don Pedro Bagby Recreation Area

SEE & DO

At an elevation of 867 feet, sun-soaked Lake McClure and Lake McSwain are nestled in the oak-studded Sierra foothills in Mariposa County’s northwestern sector. Lake McClure and smaller Lake McSwain are fed by the Merced River and offer full- service family resorts featuring protected swim areas, day-use picnic tables and even a floating obstacle course called the Splash-n-Dash Aqua Park. Camping, fishing and waterskiing are also popular here, and the lower elevation provides a blast of summer heat that makes the water more inviting than ever.

Nearby Exchequer Mountain Bike Park has 700 acres of crunchy, chain-stretching joy overlooking Lake McClure. The Barrett Cove Recreation Area is an inviting venue for a lakeside camping trip.

The Bagby Camping & Recreation Area is located just below the Wild & Scenic Merced River at the inlet of Lake McClure, offering a wide range of campsites and boat launch.

Hiking among the oaks

Lake Don Pedro sunset

Exchequer Mountain Bike Park Splash-n-Dash Aqua Park