Mariposa County, California
Mariposa, California is a top spot for getting outdoors. With its scenic trails, top-notch activities and must-visit attractions, it is the perfect spot for an outdoor adventure. The best trails and activities in and near the area include hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, and camping. There are also plenty of attractions to explore such as Yosemite National Park, Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, and the Mariposa County Fairgrounds. Whether you're looking for a relaxing day trip or an exciting outdoor experience, Mariposa has something for everyone.
Top Spots in and near Mariposa County
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Mammoth Lakes, California
Heart Lake
5.02.11 mi / 500 ft gainYou will see a couple of trailheads starting by parking at the Coldwater Creek Campground parking lot. This one is specifically marked Heart Lake. There will be a couple of forks in the trail, but if you stay right and on the more obvious path, you will be up to Heart Lake in no time. (Going left...Read more -
Lee Vining, California
Mono Lake's South Tufa Loop
4.40.91 mi / 39 ft gainMono Lake is was formed at least 760,000 years ago, making it one of North America's oldest lake. Explore the coastline of this unique lake filled with unusual rock formations called tufas. Photograph the tufa towers with the majestic mountains in the background. The towers can make for some very...Read more -
Bridgeport, California
Hike to Peeler Lake
11 mi / 2400 ft gainThis trip can be done as a day trip or backpacking trip. It is around an 11 mile out-and-back trip.Park at Twin Lakes in Bridgeport, CA. There is a $10 fee and it can take a while on busy weekends. A permit is required to stay overnight in Hoover Wilderness. The trailhead can be hard to find; it ...Read more -
Lee Vining, California
Explore the Mono Lake Tufas under the Milky Way
5.0This past spring, I got the urge to photograph the Milky Way over the other-worldly landscape of Mono Lake, a large, desert saline lake at the edge of the eastern Sierras in California. One of the the lake's defining features is it’s incredible tufa rock formations, a variety of limestone. The e...Read more -
Mammoth Lakes, California
Snowshoe Shady Rest Park
2 mi / 100 ft gainShady Rest Park is located on Sawmill Road just minutes from the Mammoth Lakes town center. Start off by crossing through the parking lot headed north towards the large open field covered in snow. The open field is a great place to walk around and become comfortable with wearing and walking in sn...Read more -
Lee Vining, California
Camp at Mono Lake
5.0Many people visit Mono Lake for a quick photo opportunity of the South Tufa. When I discovered camping was allowed on the North side of the lake, I knew I had to experience it and share.You head East on Cemetery Rd. just North of Lee Vining. This road turns into a dirt road, which will require yo...Read more -
Lee Vining, California
Explore the Black Point Fissures
4.32 mi / 500 ft gainThis area is such a great way to spend time exploring. It's a lot different than what it's surrounded by, making it a great change of pace in the Eastern Sierra.Just East of Lee Vining, California is Black Point, which sits on the North side of the massive Mono Lake...Which used to be an underwat...Read more -
Mammoth Lakes, California
Sherwin Lakes Trail
5.04.42 mi / 850 ft gainJust outside the town of Mammoth Lakes, CA is the Sherwin Lakes Trailhead. An easy 10 minute drive down some dirt roads will get you to the dirt parking lot where you can safely leave your vehicle and begin your fairly easy 2.5 mile hike to Sherwin Lakes. (Valentine Lake is not much further beyon...Read more -
Pinecrest, California
Backpack to Bear Lake (Emigrant Wilderness)
4.58.34 mi / 705 ft gainStart by picking up your wilderness permit at the Summit Ranger Station near Pinecrest - (209) 965-3434. There's no quota for this area, so no need for reservations in advance. To reach the trailhead, make your way south from the Ranger Station and turn left onto Crabtree Rd. Drive along this ro...Read more -
Mammoth Lakes, California
Valentine Lake via Sherwin Lakes Trail
5.09.76 mi / 2026 ft gainPark at the Sherwin Lakes Trailhead. Begin your ascent through scrubby foliage and old pines. Once you arrive at a junction with a bench, turn around. Note that the uphill climb is pretty decent past Sherwin Lakes, so if you're feeling overly winded after the arriving at these lakes, this may be...Read more -
Tuolumne County, California
Backpack Chewing Gum Lake
3.34.5 mi / 1000 ft gainChewing Gum Lakes is located in Emigrant Wilderness, South of Lake Tahoe and North of Yosemite, with stunning valley views and gorgeous granite faces, peaking through the tree lines of the Stanislaus National Forest. Sitting just north of Yosemite allows you to take in a portion of the beauty of ...Read more -
Tuolumne County, California
Climb Cracks at the Gianelli Edges
We first found the Gianelli Edges mentioned in the Climbers Guide to the Sonora Pass Highway. A short 2.5-3 hour drive from our place in Oakland, it's a great spot for a quick single day or overnight climbing excursion. Just head out 120 toward Yosemite and pull off on the 108 toward Burst Rock/G...Read more -
Mono County, California
Rock Climbing at Clark Canyon
5.0Good quality volcanic tuff? That may somewhat of a contradiction, but nevertheless, Clark Canyon is indeed one of the best pocketed playgrounds in the Mammoth area.Be advised, however, that it is a little tricky getting there, and in certain spots you may need high clearance (a Prius won't make i...Read more -
Mammoth Lakes, California
Relax at Laurel Lakes
0 mi / 0 ft gainThe Laurel Lakes trip, just south of Mammoth Lakes, is a worthwhile day trip that can easily be made into a hiking/camping trip.To get there, make your way to Laurel Lakes Rd via Sherwin Creek Rd either from Old Mammoth Rd or from the 395. The road to the lakes is not too bad initially but you'll...Read more -
Lakeshore, California
John Muir Trail: Camping at Lake Virginia
5.0You'll find an ample supply of warm, sunny campsites here. After a tough climb leading up to this area, a plunge in the cold water and sunbathing on the warm granite surrounding the lake is just what the doctor ordered. This is one of the sites that you want to plan around - even if you arrive at...Read more -
Pinecrest, California
Hike to Cleo's Bath
4.56.5 mi / 1263 ft gainThis 6+ mile hike is located at Pinecrest Lake in the Stanislaus National Forest located in Tuolumne County and features a lake, river, forest, waterfall, and swimming hole. It is accessible year-round, in winter there will be snow, and the hike is dog friendly except between May 15th-September ...Read more
