What’s New in Yosemite Mariposa County for 2025

Yosemite Mariposa County is timeless in its nature but dynamic in its changes to scenery, seasons, and adventure. The following is a list of more tangible exciting things that are new or coming in 2025.

Many of you may be wondering about a reservation system for summer 2025. Please see our update, as the National Park Service has not yet definitively announced anything.

Tenaya at Yosemite TURNS 35 with comprehensive renovation

Tenaya at Yosemite, the region’s largest and most comprehensive four-season resort, celebrates its 35^th birthday in July. Since opening in 1990, Tenaya has offered exceptional service to Yosemite Mariposa County’s visitors and residents alike. In more recent years, the hotel completed a comprehensive renovation. The main lodge now shines from the artistry of local craftsmen and tradespeople, inspired by the arts and crafts movement. All 244 of Tenaya’s guest rooms received custom upgrades including headboards, nightstands, desks and chairs, ottomans and sleeper sofas. The hotel recently unveiled a pickleball court, bocce ball court, 18-foot rock climbing wall and dedicated play area for dogs. The resort also offers new shuttles into Yosemite National Park.

Happy Goat Expands Offerings

Happy Goat Yosemite, a non-profit farm dedicated to fighting food insecurity, is announcing an exciting new guest experience launching in spring 2025: a daily homemade pasta and wine party.

Guests will begin their journey in town, where they’ll be picked up at Happy Goat’s downtown store and transported to the farm. Once there, an unforgettable afternoon awaits, including baby goat snuggles, a walking tour of the farm’s operations, and indulgent all-you-can-eat pasta paired with exceptional wines from terraces overlooking the farm. 

This new offering is part of Happy Goat’s broader mission to create meaningful connections between people, food, and community. Coupled with its downtown speakeasy, a charming private venue ideal for events of any size, Happy Goat continues to serve as a one-of-a-kind destination for both locals and visitors to the Yosemite area.

To extend the experience into town, Happy Goat is also opening the Happy Goat Social Club on Main Street in downtown Mariposa this summer. Part boutique, part concierge, this soon to open space offers custom hat fittings, Western-inspired retail, and a place for guests to book tours, dinners, and private events.

Happy Goat continues to redefine agritourism with charm, intention, and a whole lot of flavor.

For more information or to book your experience, visit www.visithappygoat.com 

Yosemite Mariposa County Celebrates 175th Anniversary

Mariposa County proudly celebrates its 175th anniversary this year, marking a landmark
moment in its vibrant cultural heritage. Special activities and events will take place
throughout the year. Known for its authentic western charm, visiting Mariposa County feels
like stepping into a movie scene, where the legacy of the Gold Rush era blends seamlessly
with enduring western traditions. Many pioneers came with dreams of fortune but stayed
for the breathtaking beauty of the landscape— majestic mountains, towering granite
monoliths, and the stunning waterfalls of Yosemite.

Wildhaven Yosemite Expanding in 2025

Wildhaven Yosemite will expand its glamping accommodations from 40 existing tents and cabins starting this Spring 2025, one year after its grand opening. Wildhaven will add tents, modular cabins, and more amenities including a new pool in 2025 and 2026, eventually growing to a total of 80 glamping tents and cozy cabins.

Tuolumne Meadows Campground Reopens

Yosemite National Park’s largest campground, Tuolumne Meadows has been undergoing a major overhaul and is set to reopen in 2025. The $20 million project was funded by the Great American Outdoors Act. The project rehabilitates and modernizes Tuolumne Meadows Campground which hosts more than 150,000 campers annually. Visitors can expect a simplified road system, new and updated restrooms, parking pads, picnic tables, food lockers, fire rings, improved accessibility and more.

Ahwahnee Hotel Renovations Complete

Funded by the Great American Outdoors Act, renovations to the historic Ahwahnee Hotel wrap up in 2025. The project included major seismic upgrades, a modernized HVAC system, fireplace improvements and a renovation of the hotel’s 6,000-square-foot kitchen. The Ahwahnee Hotel will celebrate 100 years in 2027.

A’ La Carte Dinning Returns at The Ahwahnee

A’ la carte breakfast and lunch service has returned to The Ahwahnee Dining Room, bringing elevated daytime dining back to one of Yosemite’s most iconic landmarks. Nestled in the heart of Yosemite Valley, The Ahwahnee is a national park treasure known for its striking architecture, historic elegance, and unforgettable dining experiences. Originally built in the 1920s to attract high-profile guests, the lodge has hosted presidents, royalty, and luminaries for nearly a century. With its grand dining room once again offering refined yet approachable meals.

YARTS celebrates 25 Years of Transportation to Yosemite

The Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS), has provided a clean, comfortable alternative to driving to Yosemite Valley since May 2000. This year, YARTS celebrates 25 years of serving gateway communities and visitors in Mariposa County. YARTS operates year-round on Highway 140 through Mariposa to the park and for part of the year on Highway 41 and 120. After arriving, visitors can use the Yosemite Valley Shuttle System for free and convenient rides on eco-friendly buses. The shuttles stop at, or near, all overnight accommodations, restaurants, stores and trailhead.

Discover Yosemite Offers New Hwy 14o Tour Route

Discover Yosemite is launching a brand-new small group and private tour route along Highway 140, ideal for visitors staying in Mariposa, Midpines, or El Portal. The Highway 140–Glacier Point and Yosemite Valley Tour offers breathtaking views of the Merced River, Tunnel View, Half Dome, El Capitan, waterfalls, and more. These comfortable, full-day tours include air-conditioned transportation and a picnic lunch, running June through October. It’s a relaxed, expert-guided way to experience Yosemite’s most iconic sights, without the hassle.

Smokin’ Oak BBQ & Twisted Cedar Taphouse Bring Big Flavor to Mariposa

Get ready to savor a true taste of Americana in the heart of downtown Mariposa. The newly opened Smokin’ Oak BBQ is serving up mouthwatering, “low and slow” cooked barbecue classics, while its partner next door, Twisted Cedar Taphouse, pours an impressive lineup of local meads, small-batch ciders, craft beers, and regional wines. Together, they create a one-stop destination for bold flavors, local pours, and laid-back Sierra foothill hospitality, perfect for a post-hike refuel.

Tuolumne Meadows Campground Reopens After 3-Year Renovation

One of Yosemite’s most iconic campgrounds is back. After a three-year closure for major renovations, Tuolumne Meadows Campground has re-opened to the public. The milestone also marks the first summer since 2019 that ALL Yosemite campgrounds are open to the public.