THINGS TO DO

There are lots of fun things to do not only in Yosemite but in the surrounding area as well.
Below is a list of some of the available activities.

IN THE PARK

There are innumerable activities available in the park. These are operated by park concessionaire Aramark.
This includes but is not limited to: hiking, rafting, biking, golfing, horseback riding, swimming, and rock climbing.

WINTERTIME FUN

Cross country and downhill skiing, snow shoeing and other snow play activities are available in the national park. To get to the snow play area in the national park head north out of Oakhurst on highway 41.

FROM MARIPOSA AND OAKHURST TO FISHCAMP

Both towns are about 17 minutes from our place and both offer a number of enjoyable recreational opportunities.

Mariposa is north on California Highway 49 (a right on the highway when leaving our place) and Oakhurst is to the south.

Back Road Explorations:

There are plenty of backroads to explore here. Either buy your own Sierra National Forest map before you get here or you can study ours. Possibly the best area for exploring lays along the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway, an area north of Oakhust that borders the national park's high country. Here you will find hiking trails, lakes, streams, old mines and examples of the Sierra's most distinctive granite domes, meadows and glacial valleys. Check road conditions before travelling this area from fall to spring.

Fishing:

There is some great sport and fly fishing in and around the national park. You will find lots of resources on the internet.
This Aramak page should provide a pretty good overview.
This page is a little more in depth fishing related info.

Golf:

There are two nice courses in the area:

The Wawona Hotel Golf Course is inside the national park, about 45 minutes north of Oakhurst on California highway 41.

The beautiful Fresno creek runs right through the middle of River Creek Golf Course. It's about 15 minutes south on highway 49 from our place.

Hiking:

You are in the middle of one of the best places in the world for hiking! Local Russ Cary has created this awesome "Hiking in Yosemite" website for no reason other than to help everyone find out about the fantastic hiking opportunities in and around the park!

Here is a national park web page with information on day hiking in Yosemite.
This page from the same website is good if you want general information on hiking in the park.

Talk to your innkeepers for more hiking information and resources.

Horseback riding:

Yosemite trails Pack Station offers 1 and 2 hour rides as well as a half day trip into Yosemite's Mariposa grove of giant sequoias. During the winter months they also have sleigh rides. For more ways to go horseback or mule riding in the national park, visit this page from Aramark's official website.

Rafting

This is a popular activity, especially in the hot summer months. This page from the Mariposa Tourism Bureau has a good overview. Note that Half Dome Village raft rentals, operated by the park concessionaire, is the only operation offering rafting inside the national park, the rest are on the river just outside the park. For information on raft rentals in the park, access Aramark's page here.

Train ride:

Located in Fish Camp, about 20 minutes north of Oakhurst on route 41, the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad is a historic 3 ft narrow gauge railroad with two operating geared steam train locomotives that tours visitors along a 4-mile excursion through the scenic Sierra National Forest over tracks once used for logging trains at the turn of the century.

Shopping:

The historic mining town of Mariposa offers a variety of shopping possibilities.
Here is a sampling:

Yosemite Gifts. On main street. Lots of Yosemite related "touristie" stuff as well as other neat stuff: gems, minerals, geodes, bugs, fossils and...too much to list here!

Gem and Mineral Club Store. Interesting stones and locally made jewelry. On 7th street two doors up the street from Subway.

Fremont House Good quality outdoor wear for men and women by Woolrich, Keene, Merrel, Ugg, Stetson, and much more. On main street.

Anahata A very nice shop with fair trade items from around the world.

Wine tasting:

The Alley A fun hangout on Main Street with wine and craft beers.

Casto Oaks Taste and purchase some of the best wines this area has to offer. On Main Street.

The Local Grape A local wine club with a variety of local wines located in historic downtown Mariposa.

Silver Creek Winery Be sure to make an appoinment to taste their delicious wines! Served at Savories restaraunt in Mariosa.

Swimming:

There are numerous swimming opportunities in and near the park. But beware! During certain times of the year streams and rivers have strong currents and very slippery rocks. Every year someone dies here because of this! Also, attempting to swim or "take a dip" above any of Yosemite's giant waterfalls is usually fatal!
Lots of information online. Mariposa County has a public swimming pool that anyone may enjoy that is open during the summer months.

Also, Bass Lake, a few miles north of Oakhurst, has swimming. Talk to Richard or Jane for directions.

Live theater:

Oakhurst has the Golden Chain Theater, a non-profit community theater.
We found last year's production of Fiddler on the Roof was very enjoyable!