We all like a good surprise now and again: interesting encounters we didn’t expect; intriguing tales of forgotten history; well-preserved ghost towns along winding backroads. Indeed, Yosemite Mariposa County is a vast and compelling space with heaps of originality and loads of curiosities.
Yet with iconic attractions such as Yosemite Falls and Half Dome, it’s easy for these hidden gems to get lost in the proverbial shuffle. No longer. From the covert to the unsung, and the distinctive to the just plain fun, here is our Quirky Tour of Yosemite Mariposa County.
Step One: Find Your Base Camp
As with any well-crafted itinerary, you need to know two basic elements: where you’re headed and where you’re staying. Our regional guide to Yosemite Mariposa County is manna from planning heaven on this front. Pour yourself a favorite beverage and take some time with the map. Then figure out not only where you want to stay but how you want to stay, whether that’s a comfy hotel, a woodsy cabin, a friendly bed & breakfast or an under-the-stars campsite.

Once you’ve got the lay of the land, use the following region-by-region breakdown to learn about the quirky attractions that await. Let the distance from your base camp be your guide. When possible, we suggest slow, immersive travel in Yosemite Mariposa County. Spending a full day in a particular region allows visitors to truly appreciate the stunning scenery and absorb the unique culture, not to mention enjoy some local grub!
Now the fun part…build your multi-day itinerary from the regions below and stay awhile!
Yosemite Valley

The greatest hits of Yosemite Valley are hard to miss. Indeed, the graceful drop of Bridalveil Fall captivates, and the morning shadow from El Capitan stretches long. But the Valley has some unexpected — and often overlooked — attractions that are worth seeing.
Located behind the Yosemite Museum, the Indian Village of the Ahwahnee gives visitors a glimpse into the life of the Miwuk with its life-sized historic structures. Examples include the Chief’s House, Sweathouse, Ceremonial Roundhouse, and the traditional Cedar Bark House which looks like a tipi but uses different materials for construction.

Northern Yosemite

Photo Credit: Scott Marengo
Though the most “remote” of the Yosemite regions, Northern Yosemite stuns with its rugged, High Country beauty. Most visits here center around the golden expanse of Tuolumne Meadows, but for the intrepid explorer there is some next-level sleuthing to be had a short distance away at Tioga Pass.

Ghost towns are essential stops on any quirky tour, and the Great Sierra Mine (abandoned 1882) is no exception. Located at nearly 11,000 ft on the eastern border of Yosemite National Park, the stone cabin ruins and deserted shafts of Dana village are testament to the silver lode that never came. Park in the paved lot on Highway 120 just inside Yosemite’s Tioga Pass Entrance. The 3.8 mile out & back trail takes you past Middle and Upper Gaylor Lakes to the abandoned mine site, with an elevation gain of 900 ft. Note: Please enjoy Yosemite Mariposa County responsibly, and never disturb structures or remove items from historical sites.

Another fun stop in the Northern Yosemite region lies just past the O’Shaughnessy Dam at Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. After crossing the dam on foot, a rough-hewn rock tunnel burrows 600 ft along the Wapama Fall Trail. Once part of Lake Eleanor Road before the reservoir was first completed in 1923, the tunnel ricochets with echoes and abounds with silhouettes. Pic-worthy for sure.
Southern Yosemite

A century ahead of today’s tiny house craze, two historic cabins in Southern Yosemite make for interesting stops on the Quirky Tour. Located along the Guardians Loop Trail in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, visitors can find the Galen Clark Cabin (also known as the Mariposa Grove Cabin). Clark, an early conservationist and friend of John Muir, “discovered” Mariposa Grove in 1857 and was assigned the title of “Guardian of Yosemite” after its designation as protected wilderness by President Abraham Lincoln in 1864. Though boarded up now, the picture above shows that not much has changed!

The second stop on the tour — the Artist Cabin — is located at the Yosemite History Center in Wawona. This collection of outdoor exhibits features historic buildings relocated to the site from various chapters of Yosemite’s fascinating past. The Artist Cabin was built by Norwegian immigrant Chris Jorgensen along the bank of Merced River in Yosemite Valley. He lived here with his wife Angela (daughter of famed chocolatier Domingo Ghirardelli) from 1900-1917, painting the Park’s iconic rock & waterscapes while becoming an early voice in the Yosemite art scene.
Northwest Mariposa County

For visitors coming from the San Francisco Bay Area, the first region you’ll encounter on your Quirky Tour of Yosemite is Northwest Mariposa County. A land of rolling hills dotted with graceful oaks and craggy rock formations, its buried mysteries pay homage to Yosemite’s mining and tourism past.
When the New Exchequer Dam was built (forming today’s water sports mecca of Lake McClure), the historic towns of Bagby and Exchequer were relegated to their watery graves. Located where the Merced River feeds McClure along Highway 49, Bagby was once a Gold Rush mining and milling town complete with hotel and saloon. Late in the season when the water is low (or in drought years) the visible foundations of these ghost structures reveal an interesting chapter in California’s past.

Located deep below the waters of Lake McClure near the dam, the town of Exchequer will never be seen but boaters can float assured that history lurks beneath. Tunnels from the once-vaunted Yosemite Valley Railroad are also submerged here. This early track route brought Yosemite’s first tourists before highways were built.

Just below the New Exchequer Dam, the Quirky Tour take visitors to its little sib Lake McSwain. Several osprey nesting platforms have been built atop tall poles, and these majestic birds are finding the conditions just right — upping the already acclaimed Yosemite Mariposa County birding game. Fun Fact: These boxes were built by PG&E to encourage the osprey away from their power poles — a favorite nesting spot in the past.
Southern Mariposa County

With its deep Gold Rush history, traveling through Southern Mariposa County is like rambling along in a runaway mine cart. The straw-colored hills ripple with heat waves in the summer, then transform to electric green with the winter rains. This is wide open country — Catheys Valley, its largest population center, has just 723 residents.

Things get interesting when you hear tell of a famous 19th century explorer (General John C. Frémont) having to protect his dramatically-named gold mine (The Black Drift) from claim jumpers (The Hornitos League). A stop at the vista along Highway 49 brings it all to life with an informational plaque describing how Frémont’s Fort was built to protect his vast holdings. Though the Fort no longer remains, the view into Hell’s Hollow canyon north towards Bagby keeps the drama alive.

The Quirky Tour continues 3.5 miles south along Highway 49 to Bear Valley, where May Rock once was the site of May Day celebrations for Mariposa County’s early pioneers. The rock itself — an 82-ft. extrusion of quartz — is located just beyond the marker on private property, but gazing through the oaks it’s easy to imagine the music and dancing that brought locals together. Pro Tip: Visit the adjacent Mount Bullion/Casto Oaks Winery (by appointment only) or their tasting room in downtown Mariposa for some of the finest adult grape juice Mariposa County has to offer. Heck, why not stay in their Winemakers Cottage for bucolic bliss.

The “ghost” town of Hornitos — with a population that hovers around 50 people — fully captures the boomtown mystique. Once a bustling gold mining town of more than 10,000 people, its residents included famous chocolatier Domingo Ghirardelli and the bandit-hero Joaquin Murrieta. Check out the ruins near the main plaza or walk up the hill to historic St. Catherine’s Church where its Día De Los Muertos celebration brings devotees — some in costume — every November 2nd.
Central Mariposa County

The town of Mariposa is the nerve center for Central Mariposa County as it attracts visitors who want a taste of “city” life when visiting Yosemite National Park. Here you’ll find friendly locals willing to share their knowledge, and quirky characters attracted by Mariposa’s rugged Gold Rush past.

Everyone’s heard of farm-to-table, but how about court-to-jail? Built in 1854, the Mariposa County Courthouse is the oldest lawbreaker’s bench west of the Rockies still in continuous use. Its classic architecture and clocktower that reaches for the blue Sierra sky are pleasing to the eye…unless you’re a desperado. For those unfortunate rogues who couldn’t slip past the long arm of the law, the historic Mariposa Old Stone Jail is conveniently located just down the street from the Courthouse. Built in 1858 with rough-hewn granite blocks, this monument to misdeeds was retired in 1963 but still holds a menacing intrigue.

Little Shop of Ramen is a true original. Hand-pulled Japanese noodles served in the same space as a masterfully-curated wine shop (The Local Grape) that’s located in Mariposa’s historic Gold Coin Building. Quirky to the core! This husband-and-wife team aim to please all Yosemite goers with Japanese soul food and their wealth of knowledge about California wines. Say hi and work on your tasting notes…pets and vegans welcome!

Speaking of pets, Coffee With Critters is a unique way to take a break from hiking and enjoy scones & coffee at the behest of some well-loved farm animals. Located just outside of Mariposa in Bootjack, this sanctuary has everything from pigs and alpacas to chickens and peacocks. Offer some snacks and make new friends.

Offering e-bike tours that range from 2 hours to full day, or specialty tours that pair e-biking with classic Yosemite Mariposa County activities such rock climbing and gold panning, Yosemite E-Biking is an essential stop on the Quirky Tour. Bikes, safety equipment and local knowledge provided!
Northern Mariposa County

Simply put, Northern Mariposa County is where worlds collide. From the knotty barn wood and Gold Rush history of Coulterville to the expanse of Stanislaus National Forest, the experiences are vast and the surroundings are ruggedly beautiful.

For face painting, tasty food, and local artisans there’s nothing quite like Coulterville’s CoyoteFest. Occurring every September, CoyoteFest captures the spirit of this quirky and fun-loving Gold Rush town. Show off your yips and in the Coyote Howl Contest and do the two-step to live music. Pro Tip: Build your itinerary around a Yosemite Mariposa County event and match your outdoor rec with some local pizzazz…the perfect balance.

Originally built in 1859, the Golden Rock Ditch was a 36-mile water transport that included the 2,200-foot wooden Big Gap Flume that carried water from high above Conrad Gulch near Buck Meadows. Both engineering and history buffs will appreciate this challenging feat of construction which utilized eleven towers made of sugar pine, the tallest being 256 ft. The flume eventually collapsed in 1868 but was replaced with a siphon pipe. For a nearby meal try the Lucky Buck Cafe, and overnighters are welcome at the Yosemite Westgate Lodge or the Buck Meadows Lodge with Yosemite’s Big Oak Flat Entrance just 13 miles away.
Wize To Localize
When building your itinerary for the Quirky Tour of Yosemite Mariposa County, be sure to use the “Filter By Region” buttons on the left of the page. These can be found for all lodging types in our Places To Stay section, as well as in our Eat & Drink section. Supporting Yosemite’s gateway communities by spreading out and slowing down makes for an unforgettable adventure and provides an aerial view of all its quirks and curiosities. Happy travels!