Magical MICE Destinations in Yosemite Mariposa County

The wide array of meeting spaces and unique venues in Yosemite Mariposa County highlights the region’s natural scenery. The wide-open vistas and fresh mountain air set the tone for open minds and fresh ideas. Perfect for people to gather for company meetings, organizational retreats, and team-building fun.

There are many reasons to choose a conference venue in Yosemite Mariposa County for your next meeting destination or MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) event. Located just a few hours from California’s main metro areas, it is far enough from the city to be a refreshing change of pace and close enough and centrally located to be convenient for all MICE travelers.

So, now that it’s time to get out of the office for some distraction-free meeting time, training, or simply a rewarding Yosemite retreat, let us introduce some of the amazing meeting and event venues nearby.

Bring Everybody and Treat Them Right at Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite

Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite offers the largest conference venue, meeting space and amenities in the Yosemite region in a 4-diamond resort setting.

Impress and inspire with a meeting or conference at this deluxe hotel and resort nestled beneath pines and cedars. Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite has the meeting space to accommodate up to 850 people, though smaller groups will fit right in and still feel welcome with customizable meeting spaces and party rooms, intimate board rooms and richly appointed breakout rooms.

From its location just south of Yosemite National Park, you’ll find plenty of nearby fun-filled activities too. The world-class Ascent Spa with 16 treatment rooms, business and activity concierge as well as activities such as climbing walls, archery, and winter ice skating and snowshoeing can all be enjoyed right from the front door, not to mention indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

Plus, you’re only a few minutes from Yosemite National Park and destinations like the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Yosemite Valley, and Glacier Point. Ask about taking a guided tour in exclusive convertible buses that won’t block the view.

The friendly and responsive staff at Tenaya provide a single point of contact to assist you with planning meeting spaces, reserving room blocks, organizing catering, and scheduling activities. This one-stop-shop makes meeting planning a breeze.

Yosemite Retreats & Meetings Inside the Park

If you’re looking for a national park-centric team retreat with easy access to the sights and sounds that make Yosemite a world-renowned destination, there are two destinations that will impress.

Yosemite Valley venues are literally surrounded by tall cliffs, seasonal waterfalls, and epic scenery in the most-visited portion of the park. You won’t have to go far for inspiring scenery and a fresh outlook.

Located at the southern end of Yosemite, Wawona venues offer a quieter and more contemplative experience surrounded by bubbling rivers and emerald meadows.

Yosemite Valley

For historic elegance and majestic meeting spaces, The Ahwahnee is the clear choice and a destination of its own. Well-appointed interiors and impeccable service set the stage for elegant solutions and thoughtful discussion. The Ahwahnee accommodates groups of 25 to 150 people.

The Ahwahnee offers several different stunning small group venues as well as larger reception areas. This is an excellent location for your awards dinner or special dining function, regardless of the meeting space selected in the Yosemite region.

In season, you can hear the roar of Yosemite Falls from Yosemite Valley Lodge. The famous waterfall tumbles nearly 2,500 feet (750 m) from soaring granite cliffs. Several meeting rooms, including the Cliff Room, Falls or Garden Terrace offer excellent space for unique meetings.

The Mountain Room Restaurant is also available for groups for first-class daytime meals or concurrent sessions. at Yosemite Valley Lodge accommodate up to 150 guests, making it an ideal venue for incentive travel, corporate retreats and conferences.

Rustic and close to nature, Curry Village provides meeting spaces set below Half Dome. The Curry Village Pavilion accommodates as many as 400 people with options for smaller break-out meeting spaces. You can also consider the outdoor amphitheater for award ceremonies, and presentations beneath the majestic cliffs.

Yosemite Hospitality, the authorized concessioner of the National Park Service, operates all of the Ahwahnee, Yosemite Lodge, and Curry Village meeting venues. Because they also manage the restaurants, retail outlets and most of the activities in the park, the conference guest services staff also make it easy to coordinate everything from meeting spaces to lodging, dining, and activities.

Wawona

Just minutes from the ancient trees at the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, and surrounded by playful creeks and open meadows, Wawona invites your team to slow down, breathe deep and find perspective and balance.

Wawona Hotel, also managed by Yosemite Hospitality, is an authentic Victorian-era hotel with vines encircling wrap-around porches and spacious verandas with a view of the immaculate grounds and a nine-hole golf course across the street.

Delicious dining options and nearby activities like hiking and horseback riding make this a popular meeting destination for groups of 25 to 150 people. If you’re holding meetings in another location, Wawona is an excellent choice for a group special event barbeque on the historic great lawn next to the swim tank.

Another option in Wawona is The Redwoods In Yosemite’s Wedding and Event Center. This gorgeous newly constructed facility has space for 100-person meetings or seated table service for up to 80. In addition to the spacious interior and adjacent catering kitchen, the Wedding and Event Center also boasts a wide-open deck area with two large outdoor fireplaces. Organize this space as a dining area or a meeting with a view.

The Wedding and Event Center is surrounded by comfortable vacation rental cabins at a variety of bedroom configurations and price points. This is ideal for groups that may be considering inviting family members for more social and non-meeting Yosemite retreat-focused gatherings or corporate incentive programs.

Celebrate Creativity at The Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort

Does your group have a hip creative spirit? Seriously consider holding your meeting at the Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort. With five different meeting areas across the property and a relaxed, nature-loving vibe, you’ll find your gathering resonating with the environment that makes “The Bug” a popular local destination for artists, thinkers and creatives!

The Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort’s main meeting space is the Bodie Room which accommodates up to 120 people for meetings, classes, parties, theater productions, dances, presentations, and more. Stage setups and AV equipment are available here, and large side doors lend an indoor-outdoor experience where your event can spill out onto outdoor plazas.

Additional meeting spaces include an outdoor amphitheater where up to 65 people can gather on a semi-circle of redwood benches around a fire pit or stage area. You can also hold daytime events in the peaceful environs of the Yoga Studio (up to 16 guests).

The June Bug Café’s Dining Hall, summer deck, and Tenaya Room double as mid-day event space for up to 50 people with buffet and table setups. The Tenaya Room comfortably hosts small groups of up to 16 people as well.

The Ridge Top Plaza overlooks the surrounding forest and is perfect for everything from wedding ceremonies to stargazing parties. A generator provides power for audio and visual equipment and canopies are available for shade as well.

Find Flow with Meetings by the River in El Portal

Two meeting venues within minutes of Yosemite’s Highway 140 Arch Rock entrance station, await you in the town of El Portal.

Yosemite View Lodge perches above the wild and scenic Merced River just a few minutes from the Arch Rock Entrance Gate for Yosemite. Two meeting rooms above the River Restaurant and Lounge are perfect for small weddings and small groups. The Boulder Conference Room holds 60 people and Pebble Conference Room hosts up to 45. The lodge also offers indoor and outdoor pools and spas, and some of the well-appointed rooms come with fireplaces and/or private spa tubs.

A little further downriver, Yosemite Cedar Lodge conference room is a popular meeting destination for education, religious, government and business groups of up to 175 people. The lodge features a full-service meeting and event space that is customizable for your needs. For executive retreats, undisturbed patio meetings, and informal brainstorming sessions, also consider the Master Suite at Cedar Lodge.

In addition to being close to Yosemite, Yosemite View Lodge and Cedar Lodge are both close to spring and summer whitewater rafting trips. These are a refreshing way to build teamwork while navigating the Merced River’s rapids. Plus, this area’s spring wildflower displays are the best in the region.

Designed With Nature in Mind Autocamp Yosemite

With a sleek mid-century modern clubhouse and chic close-to-nature accommodations, Autocamp lives up to its motto: “Where great design meets the great outdoors”. The Clubhouse’s upstairs meeting space accommodates groups of up to 48 ““ although buying out the entire Clubhouse space is also an option. Plus, there are flexible outdoor spaces. The spacious lawn holds up to 100 guests and hosts reception dinners or yoga classes with equal panache. Meanwhile, the scenic private Upper Flat is perfect for cocktails or wedding ceremonies. Combine this with delightfully appointed luxury Airstream trailers, tents, and cabins for an idyllic gathering space ““ perfect for corporate retreats to Yosemite or out-of-the-box brainstorming sessions.

Room to Move at the Mariposa Fairgrounds Meeting Facilities

Not just for rodeos and county fairs ““ the Mariposa Fairgrounds has many indoor and outdoor spaces that can be rented for gatherings of all sizes at an affordable rate. Four separate buildings on the grounds range in size from 1152 to 5000 square feet (107 – 464 square meters) can accommodate groups of 175 to 650, with formal dining spaces available for groups of 100 to 400. Outdoor areas like Picnic Area or the Fiske Barbeque Area are great for camping and/or an outdoor barbeque. There’s also a wedding area with its own waterfall and shaded by a great oak is a picture-perfect wedding ceremony location and lots more.

Transportation options can be arranged to house your group attendees at one of a dozen local lodging venues in the Town of Mariposa and deliver them you to your meetings.

Claim Your Space ““ Small Group Venues in the town of Mariposa

For small reunions and small team meetings, you can also claim some private space in the town of Mariposa.

The Quality Inn has meeting space for 40. You can reserve a private room for up to 20 at The Miner’s Roadhouse 140 Restaurant and Bar. Or gather over some of the best coffee in the area at Pony Expresso Coffee House & Trading Post with up to 10 of your besties.

Meet You in Yosemite Mariposa County

Regardless of which meeting venue you choose, Yosemite Mariposa County is sure to provide lasting memories of an enchanting and productive time well-spent.