visit yosemite madera county visitor guide

Hello Visitors! Welcome to the southern Yosemite region and bountiful Madera County. We hope you have many “moments” in our towns and bring home everlasting memories. Our “Welcoming Committee” (who’ve been known to act like animals) is here to remind everyone to “Respect It, Protect It and Enjoy It” while you are here in our home and theirs. This wild bunch will give you tips throughout the guide on what to do in the area and how to make sure it’s there for generations to come. We hope you enjoy your trip as much as we enjoy having you. Please stop by the Visitor Center in Oakhurst for maps and personal itinerary planning. Respect It Protect It Enjoy It RHONDA SALISBURY •CEO/FILM COMMISSIONER, VISIT YOSEMITE | MADERA COUNTY RHONDA SALISBURY •CEO/FILM COMMISSIONER, VISIT YOSEMITE | MADERA COUNTY Yosemite Falls cover photo by Nancy Robbins - see page 57. YosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com2023-2024 Visitors Guide - Visit Yosemite | Madera County 1THE OFFICIAL SOUTHERN YOSEMITE VISITORS BUREAU Guide Books & Maps•Free Coffee • Clean Restrooms 24-Hour Information & Reservation Board• Gift Shop TABLE OF CONTENTS Average Temperatures LOWHIGH Jan29°48° Feb31°52° March34°58° April38°64° May45°80° June51°85° LOWHIGH July57°99° Aug56°99° Sept51°82° Oct42°71° Nov33°56° Dec28°47° U.S. Forest Service Sierra National Forest Bass Lake Ranger District www.fs.usda.gov/sierra/ Oakhurst Ofﬁce (559) 658-7588 (April - September) North Fork Ofﬁce (559) 877-2218 (All Year) VISIT US ONLINE! YosemiteThisYear.com VISITOR CENTER HOURS Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Summer) Visit Yosemite | Madera County Highway Conditions & Weather Reports Yosemite National Park nps.gov/yose • (209) 372-0200 Highway 41 into Yosemite National Park is open all year National Weather Service noaa.org Caltrans roads.dot.ca.gov (800) 427-7623 • Highway 41 40343 Highway 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644 Phone: (559) 683-4636 • Email: info@yosemitethisyear.com Mileage & Drive Times FROM MILEAGE DRIVE TIME Bakersﬁeld...............155 miles..............2.5 hours Fresno........................48 miles............50 minutes Las Vegas.................438 miles.................7 hours Los Angeles.............275 miles..............4.5 hours Merced.......................67 miles............1.25 hours Sacramento..............170 miles..............3.5 hours San Diego................380 miles.................6 hours San Francisco...........213 miles.................4 hours Electronics are wonderful— but are not always reliable in rural and mountain areas. For your safety, don’t depend on GPS/Nav Satellite devices to get you to your destination. NOTE REGARDING GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM Facebook.com/YosemiteMadera Twitter.com/YosemiteMadera YouTube.com/VisitYosemiteMaderaCounty Pinterest.com/YosemiteMadera Instagram.com/YosemiteMadera TikTok.com - @visityosemite ARTICLES Respect It, Protect It, Enjoy It��1 Yosemite in a Day or more��4-5 Southern Yosemite Hiking Trails��8 Sierra Foothills Hiking Trails��9 Bass Lake��10-19 Sierra Vista Scenic Byway��22-23 Tours, Transportation & Guided Adventures��24-26 Get Off The Beaten Path��30-31 Pet Friendly��36 The Toast of Oakhurst��38 Wineries of Madera County��39 Fishing��40-41 Fossils to Falls Road Trip��44-45 Sporting Events��47 Art and the Arts��48-49 Magic of Winter��51 Native American Culture��52 Finding Ways to Wellness��53 Majestic Mountain Loop��55-56 Work Where You Play��60 INFORMATION General Information��2 Calendar of Events��34-35 Photo Credits & Cover Photo��57 Dining��58-59 STAY WITH US Campgrounds��19-21 RV Parks��20 Golf Courses��46 Lodging��62-63 Vacation Rentals��64 MAPS California��2 Fossils to Falls Road Trip Artist Map��3 Yosemite Valley Shuttle��6-7 Bass Lake��10 Sierra Vista Scenic Byway��23 Madera County & Southern Yosemite��32-33 Museums & Historical Sites��42 Thrifting & Gifting��43 2023-2024 Visitors Guide - Visit Yosemite | Madera CountyYosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com 2YosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com2023-2024 Visitors Guide - Visit Yosemite | Madera County 3Yosemite In A Day or more SPRING HIKING YOSEMITE • CIARA TURNER-EWERT STOP 1 Tunnel View This stunning and popular view is a “must see” stop on your visit. Made most famous by Ansel Adams, from here many of the Yosemite’s key landmarks can be seen: El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, Half Dome, Clouds Rest, Sentinel Dome (and many more). Then continue your journey toward Yosemite Valley. STOP 2 Bridalveil Fall and Swinging Bridge Just under 4 miles from the Bridalveil Fall parking area and trailhead (expected to re-open summer 2023) this popular picnic area, complete with picnic tables and grills, offers great views of the Merced River, Sentinel Rock and Yosemite Falls (both day and nighttime views can be stunning). The bridge no longer moves, the current structure replaced a swinging one that was damaged in a ﬂood several decades ago, but the views will move you! Note – during summer months this spot can be very popular and parking is limited. STOP 3 Yosemite Chapel The Yosemite Chapel is the oldest building still in continuous use in Yosemite Valley. Dating back to 1879, the chapel offers both a history lesson and a spectacular view of Yosemite Falls. It’s also a fantastic location to capture fall photos. STOP 4 Sentinel Bridge Just a short 0.2 miles from the chapel and a left over Sentinel Bridge and you’ll experience another great viewing spot (follow the signs to the parking lot). From the parking lot, which is also Valley Shuttle Stop 11, you get panoramic views of Cooks Meadow and Yosemite Falls. You can access the Cook’s Meadow loop trail from here. After taking in the views, walk back over to the bridge for a viewing spot featuring a wonderful view of Half Dome over the Merced River. STOP 5 Yosemite Village, Valley Loop Trail & Yosemite Falls Follow the signs for Visitor Parking area. There is much to see in the Yosemite Village including the Valley Visitor Center, the Yosemite Museum, Ansel Adams Gallery and the Indian Village, just to name a few. Looking for a bite to eat? Step into Degnan's Deli for a tasty sandwich. We suggest taking it to-go and enjoying a short walk to Lower Yosemite Fall. There, you can enjoy your meal while gazing at the magniﬁcent 2,425 foot waterfall. From the lower fall, head out on the Valley Loop Trail and stroll your way through the valley enjoying views of Half Dome, El Capitan and the Merced River from many different angles. Along the way enjoy scenes of lush meadows, wildﬂowers and a possible deer or coyote sighting. STOP 6 Valley View Stopping at this picturesque location at the end of your day of exploring the valley provides a nice balance to your start at Tunnel View. Here the Merced River ﬂows on by and the late day light paints the walls of the western end of the valley. The warm light highlights the towering granite walls and brings out unique color and details. You get a true appreciation for why this much photographed spot is also known as the Gates of the Valley. DAY 1 (Yosemite Valley) 2023-2024 Visitors Guide - Visit Yosemite | Madera CountyYosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com 4HALF DOME MERCED RIVER FALL • DARVIN ATKESON BRIDALVEIL FALL • CHRISTIAN MUELLER STOP 1 Tuolumne Grove Park at the grove trailhead and take a short 1¼ mile hike along Old Big Oak Flat Road through a shaded forest. Here you can ﬁnd around two dozen mature Giant Sequoias. Plan for 1½ to 2 hours of hiking. STOP 2 Olmsted Point Enjoy amazing views that showcase how glaciers shaped this part of Yosemite as you look down Tenaya Canyon toward Yosemite Valley. Clouds Rest and a unique view of Half Dome are key features toward the south with Tenaya Lake viewed toward the northeast. STOP 3 Tenaya Lake The views around the alpine lake are spectacular and it’s a popular location to enjoy a picnic, do some kayaking, take a swim or do some ﬁshing. You can also choose just to lay back, soak up the sunshine and enjoy the fresh air. STOP 4 Tuolumne Meadows Just 6½ miles from Tenaya Lake is one of the largest high- elevation meadows in the Sierra. Stop by the Visitor Center, take a short hike to the Parsons Memorial Lodge or simply enjoy the changing light on the meadow, the Tuolumne River and the many unique geologic features of the area like Lembert Dome, Unicorn and Cathedral Peaks. STOP 1 Mariposa Grove Stand among some of the world’s oldest and largest trees in the Mariposa Grove. This is the largest of the three groves in Yosemite and home to several hundred mature Giant Sequoias and miles of great trails to explore. STOP 2 Wawona Located about 10 minutes inside the south gate to Yosemite, step back in time in historic Wawona. Explore picturesque sites such as the Yosemite History Center, the Wawona Hotel, the Chinese Laundry Building and the Wawona Covered Bridge. STOP 3 Chilnualna Falls Take a less-traveled hike to enjoy some of the lower cascades of Chilnualna Falls or plan for a full day of hiking and complete the entire trail to the top of the falls. (8.4 miles /13.5 kilometers). DAY 2 (Highway 41) DAY 3 (Highway 120 East) PARK RESERVATION UPDATE Good news! Reservations will not be required to visit Yosemite National Park during the summer of 2023. Reservations were required in the summers of 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic and in summer 2022 when numerous key visitor attractions were closed for critical infrastructure repairs. Other Favorite Stops to consider: •El Capitan Meadow Enjoy a picnic lunch from Degnan’s Deli while watching climbers tackle the towering granite face of El Capitan. •The Ahwahnee Enjoying a hot chocolate, or maybe an Irish Coffee, is a great way to ﬁnish off a day of winter exploration in the valley. •Ahwahnee Meadow It’s a great place to enjoy the sunset in the valley as you watch the warm colors of alpenglow shift from orange to dark red as they travel up the face of Half Dome and Washington Column. YosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com2023-2024 Visitors Guide - Visit Yosemite | Madera County A WORD TO THE WISE - always check park status and updates BEFORE you visit Yosemite! 5Curry Village (westbound) 19 Lower Pines Campground 18 Mirror Lake 17 Happy Isles 16 Upper Pines Campground 15 Curry Village (eastbound) 14 Housekeeping Camp/ Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center 12 Four Mile Trail * 11 Cathedral Beach * 10 El Capitan Meadow * 9 Valley Visitor Center & Museum * 5 El Capitan Picnic Area * 8 Degnan’s Kitchen * 4 Yosemite Valley Lodge/ Yosemite Falls Parking * 7 6 Lower Yosemite Fall * The Ahwahnee * 3 Yosemite Village 2 Yosemite Village Parking 1 * Stops serviced by the Valleywide Shuttle only Valley View Tunnel View Bridalveil Fall B r i d a l v e i l C r e e k 10 9 8 Camp 4 V a l l e y L o o p T r a i l V a l l e y L o o p T r a il Sentinel Beach El Capitan Picnic Area Cathedral Beach W a w o n a R o a d Yosemite Valley & Valley Shuttle Map VALLEY VIEW PANORAMA VYMC 2023-2024 Visitors Guide - Visit Yosemite | Madera CountyYosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com 6Parking Bathroom Electric Car Charging Station Information Wilderness Permits Exhibits Theater Picnic Area Picnic Area Accessible Spots Available Trailhead Bicycle Rentals Seasonal Campground Lodging Food Service Groceries Book & Souvenir Shop ATM Post Office Curry Village Parking Yosemite Village Parking Yosemite Falls Parking 8836 ft 2693 m 72I4 ft 2I99 m M e r c e d R i ve r Lower Yosemite Fall Vernal Fall Nevada Fall c l o s e d i n w i n t e r 19 18 17 16 15 14 12 11 5 4 7 6 3 2 1 North Pines North Pines North Pines Upper Pines Lower Pines Lower Pines Trailhead Parking Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center (YCHC) Half Dome F o u r M i l e T r a i l Campground Reservations Campground Reservations To Chinquapin/Wawona Rd. and Hwy 41 Glacier Point no shuttle service closed in winter Swinging Bridge Swinging Bridge Church Bowl Picnic Area Chapel Glacier Point Road Medical Clinic M ist T r a i l Nature Center at Happy Isles Recreation Rentals Curry Village Housekeeping Camp Housekeeping Camp The Ahwahnee U p p e r Y o s e m i t e F a l l T r a i l Mirror Lake seasonal The Ansel Adams Gallery Yosemite Valley Lodge Yosemite Valley Lodge YOSEMITE’S SERVICES, including shuttle operations throughout the park, are subject to change (even trafﬁc patterns can change seasonally). Please check the park’s webpage for the latest status as well as to ﬁnd information about services and conditions in the park beyond Yosemite Valley. Yosemite Public Transportation Info Village Garage Medical Clinic Indian Village Yosemite Cemetery Yosemite Valley Welcome Center Opening in 2023 Yosemite Library Administration Building Ansel Adams Gallery P Yosemite Village & Day Use Parking Valley Wilderness Center Visitor Center and Theater Yosemite Conservancy Bookstore Yosemite Museum Post Office Degman’s Kitchen & The Loft at Degman’s Rangers’ Club 30 min only Village Drive Bike Path Sentinel Bridge P P Village Store & Village Grill N o r t h s i d e D r i v e V i l l a g e D r i v e V illa g e D r i v e E1 4 9 5 2 10 V a l l e y L o o p T r a i l S e n t i n e l D r i v e Parking Short-Term Yosemite Village M e r c e d R i v e r P Yosemite's free shuttles run between 7am and 10pm. The stops are served in numerical order. The Valleywide Shuttle services ALL the stops; the East Valley Shuttle Services only selected stops. The Valleywide Shuttle runs approximately every 12 to 22 minutes with a total round trip time of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The East Valley Shuttle runs approximately every 8-12 minutes with a total round trip time of approximately 50 minutes. Get Sandy the Squirrel's Trading Card at the Ansel Adams Gallery YosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com2023-2024 Visitors Guide - Visit Yosemite | Madera County 7Next >