ACCOMMODATIONS

YOSEMITE MARIPOSA COUNTY: Accommodations

Style. Privacy. Rustic Charm. Individuality.

Many places say they have accommodations for any kind of traveler, but Yosemite Mariposa County truly has a diverse variety of lodging options – from campgrounds to luxury hotels. To provide a starting point on your lodging selection journey, here are five excellent Mariposa County options for the ultimate winter stay.

AutoCamp Yosemite: A unique twist on the iconic Airstream trailers with a combination of vintage class on the outside and modern style inside. The property also features a seasonally heated pool, trailer-side grills, and host experiences like complimentary yoga sessions and occasional live music.

Yosemite View Lodge: Location, location, location.

Yosemite View Lodge has the distinction of being the closest resort to Yosemite Valley. Most rooms have personal balconies overlooking the Wild & Scenic Merced River and two restaurants on site.

The Redwoods in Yosemite: Cozy cabins and luxury mountain homes come together into an amazing location within Yosemite National Park. More than 125 fully equipped units come with 24-hour support from a full-service front desk, nearby grocery stores, a gas station and a historic restaurant at the Wawona Hotel within walking distance.

Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders: This community of more than 130 cabins located mostly in the Yosemite West and Wawona regions are a great starting point for High Sierra adventures in all four seasons. Many cabins boast views of the wild and Scenic Merced River Canyon, as they are perched above the canyon at nearly 6,000 feet (1,828.8m) above sea level. With varying sizes and styles of cabins, Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders offer options for all groups and budgets.

The Ahwahnee: The crown jewel of national park lodges, the hotel is a must-visit destination within Yosemite Valley for its dining, décor and architecture that complements the natural setting of the park.

Tenaya at Yosemite: This full-service resort nestled in the Sierra National Forest is only minutes from the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. A variety of lodging offers from hotel rooms and spacious modern suites in the main lodge to Explorer Cabins with private living rooms and decks.

Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort: Tucked away on its own bend along a stream, perched under a grove of black oaks, the Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort has a magical feel. The Bug offers a relaxed and social atmosphere where families, backpackers and international travelers all feel welcome in its variety of affordable accommodations and old-time mountain resort vibe.

Family Travel

YOSEMITE MARIPOSA COUNTY: Family Travel

Mariposa County is the backdrop for unforgettable family getaways. Yosemite National Park’s iconic granite peaks and rushing waterfalls draw families to the region, but beyond the park, kids of all ages will enjoy rugged foothills, sapphire lakes and Gold Rush charm.

Lake McClure and Lake McSwain: At an elevation of 867 feet (264.2616m), these sun-soaked lakes are nestled in the oak-studded Sierra foothills and fed by the Merced River. Both 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.

Exchequer Mountain Bike Park: with 700 acres of crunchy, chain-stretching joy overlooking Lake McClure, the daredevil in the family will jump at the opportunity to ride.

Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad’s historic steam engine locomotives chug along the narrow gauge right-of-way of the Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Company with tall trees on either side. The on-site museum details the local logging legacy. During the summer months, enjoy a full evening of dining, entertainment, train riding and adventure when joining the “Moonlight Special” evening events.

Yosemite Trails Horseback Adventures offers unique journeys into the woods and back in time. The outfitter offers an all-day trip through the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and one-hour Big Creek crossing rides.

AirBORRN Aviation Services Scenic Tours takes visitors high above Mariposa County and Yosemite National Park with spectacular views of waterfalls, rivers, lakes and signature sights like Half Dome, El Capitan and more.

Badger Pass Ski Area: Yosemite Mariposa’s snowcovered terrain comes into play at the oldest ski resort in California. At 8,000’ elevation (2438.4m), Badger Pass Ski Area offers downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowboard terrain park, tubing and more. It’s intimate with just five lifts providing access to mostly beginner and intermediate runs, and the heralded ski school at Badger Pass is a great place to learn to ski.

Goat Meadow is a classic under-the-radar sledding hill offering tubing, sledding, and all-around snow play.

Mariposa Butterfly Festival honors the founding flyers that give the county its name. Mariposa was named by the 1806 Spanish expedition of Gabriel Moraga, when so many butterflies swarmed his camp that they nearly blocked out the sun. He named that place Las Mariposas, Spanish for “The Butterflies.” The festival is a celebration of music, art, food, education that culminates with the release of about 5,000 butterflies.

Mariposa Museum & History Center: Named a “Best Little Museum” by the Smithsonian Institution, the center’s wow-worthy attractions demonstrate how the first settlers lived while pursuing their quest for gold.

Beyond The Valley

YOSEMITE MARIPOSA COUNTY: Beyond the Valley

Dotted with hidden gems, a journey through Mariposa County takes travelers back in time and through some of the most beautiful under-the-radar natural wonders.

Coulterville

At the Junction of Highway 132 and Highway 49 sits Coulterville, a laid-back nexus of old & new. With nearly as many California Historical Landmark buildings (40) as residents (60), you can park your car and walk main street for a true Gold Rush experience. Built in 1854, the reputedly haunted Hotel Jeffrey, set to reopen in 2023 as the Hotel Bluey, oozes Old West charm and once hosted the likes of John Muir and President Teddy Roosevelt. The Northern Mariposa County History Museum assays all the diggings in one place while the abandoned Sun Sun Wo Store offers a glimpse into the past as the last remnant of the Mother Lode’s largest Chinatown.

Greeley Hill

Heading northeast from Coulterville, Highway 132 officially becomes the John Muir Highway as it climbs towards Greeley Hill, on the doorstep to the western edge of Stanislaus National Forest. Visitors can hike & bike its vast network of fire roads, as well as enjoy fishing and camping.

Buck Meadows

Just 12 miles (19.312128km) from the Big Oak Flat Entrance to Yosemite National Park, Buck Meadows is a great place to grab a bite of American comfort food at the Lucky Buck Cafe. Book a cozy cabin for the night at the budget-friendly Buck Meadows Lodge, or a spacious room next door at the Yosemite Westgate Lodge Electric Vehicle (EV) drivers fret not the juice — there’s a shared Electrify America charging station on-site.

Foresta

Situated at 4,314 feet (1,314.9072m), Foresta has an interesting history and is one of only three areas of private property within the boundaries of Yosemite National Park. Worth seeing in Foresta are the McCauley & Meyer Barns (National Historic Landmarks) while hikers can check out the lightly-visited Foresta Falls — an easy two mile out-and-back hike to a cascade along Crane Creek. There are no hotels in Foresta, but you can stay in a handful of vacation rentals, some with views of a surprisingly close Half Dome to the east. Note: This is private property so please be respectful of the residents and park clear of any driveways or roads.

El Portal

El Portal is the gateway to Yosemite’s western entrance and features trout fishing, whitewater rafting (spring/early summer) and several day-use picnic areas where baskets are always welcome. Boasting the closest overnight accommodations outside of the Park’s gate, El Portal offers a range of options from hotels to campgrounds. You’ll also find some of the last remnants of the Yosemite Valley Railroad, which used to be the main way for visitors to get into Yosemite. Still standing are a caboose, a turntable and the Bagby Station, which was deconstructed and moved upstream to El Portal when the Bagby Dam was built.

Briceburg

Briceburg sits where the South and Main Forks of the Merced River meet. Though not technically a town, a small store was built here in 1926 during the construction of Highway 140 that catered to tourists and locals alike. The store has been transformed into the Briceburg Visitor Center, where visitors can stop and learn more about the area’s fascinating past. In addition to fishing, hiking, swimming and rafting, there are three first come/first served campgrounds.

Midpines

Midpines sits at 2,585 feet (787.908m) and was founded in 1926 by Newell D. Chamberlain as a resort along the newly built Highway 140. There’s a mixture of pine & oak dotting the landscape with a smattering of homes tucked between. The Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort, affectionately known as The Bug, offers a variety of accommodations from hostel beds to cabins on stilts and several vacation rentals. The on-site Yosemite Health Spa is a great place to decompress after a long day on the trail with treatments like aromatic herbal baths and massage, while the daily-changing menu at the June Bug Cafe is known by locals as one of the best restaurants in the region, dedicated to healthy & tasty road eats including a solid selection of vegan and vegetarian options.

AutoCamp Yosemite with its armada of iconic Airstreams that have been carefully appointed for ultimate Sierra comfort. Enjoy ACY’s “Experiences” such as Say Om Beneath the Trees (yoga) and Live Music Happy Hour at the Clubhouse.

Bear Valley

Bear Valley was the hub of Colonel John C. Fremont’s mining empire after he purchased the 44,000-acre Mexican land grant Rancho Los Mariposas. The Gold Rush history runs deep and the original buildings from the mining days including the BonTon Saloon, Trabucco Store and Odd Fellows Hall. Look for the Bear Valley Historical Marker (California Historical Landmark No. 331) for information on this transformative period of California history.

Hornitos

The fascinating Gold Rush “ghost town” of Hornitos, was home to the first Wells Fargo stagecoach office in the county. Hornitos has a current population of 66 but was once home to 15,000 people during in the 1870’s. Word on the street has it that bandit-hero Joaquin Murrieta built a tunnel from the Hornitos dance hall to his private horse stable to evade lawmen, all part of the high-spirited local lore. The remnants of this bustling time can now be found in the many architectural ruins that dot the landscape, including the crumbling walls of famed chocolatier Domenico Ghirardelli’s (that Ghirardelli!) general store. Not to be missed: the annual community “Enchilada Festival” held on a weekend every March for more than 70 years.

Catheys Valley

Catheys Valley was originally an agricultural and ranching community known by local miners for producing fruit and grains. You’ll find a clean well-kept family park with the original 1879 schoolhouse, accessible restrooms, playground and more. This is a great place to ride bikes and watch sunsets. Local eats include the Oasis Cafe where you can get everything from red & green chilaquiles to a double B.L.T. Lodging includes the Posada Mariana Bed & Breakfast, a 25-acre hacienda where each of its four rooms is named after a different town in Mexico and enters through a central courtyard.

Fish Camp

Two miles (3.218688km) from Yosemite National Park’s South Gate, the historic hamlet of Fish Camp is the hub of many old and new recreational activities. Access the Sierra National Forest behind the first class resort Tenaya at Yosemite, which offers ample excursion options. Winter opens the sled runs at Goat Meadow Snowplay Area and many family winter activities. Just down the tracks is Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, a memorable ride through the woods alongside the former logging flumes that once dropped into the central valley. And of course there is the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias (Park entrance fee required) where guests can feel the strength of these titan trees whether on foot or via snowshoes. Hotels, local market, attractions, camping and vacation rentals are available making Fish Camp a small-town destination with big possibilities for fun.

Wawona

Located inside Yosemite National Park, historic Wawona is set at an elevation of 4,000 feet (1,219.2m). Here, the diversity of flora & fauna allowed the native Miwuk people to thrive here for millennia. The Buffalo Soldiers of Yosemite — a little known but fascinating chapter of Black history — were instrumental in developing Wawona. In the 1870’s, Wawona became a waystation for the increasing number of tourists until the building of the Wawona Hotel in 1875. Now a rare National Landmark & treasure, hotel guests and campers alike can play nine holes at the Wawona Golf Course or take a lap around Wawona Meadow to see spring wildflowers. Fans of the days of yore are encouraged visit the Yosemite History Center, while hikers can shake it out on the less-visited but equally impressive Chilnualna Falls Trail and swimmers can take a dip in the South Fork of the Merced River