recreation

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PLEASE HELP PRESERVE MADERA COUNTY'S RECREATIONAL ENVIRONMENT BY RESPECTING MOTHER NATURE. DON'T LITTER, PLEASE DON'T TRESPASS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, CARRY NECESSARY PERMITS AND HAVE FUN!

Disability Friendly Recreation Areas
See Travel Tips Page

Natural Recreation Areas

Yosemite backcountry area - reservations/permits, 209-372-0740
Mariposa/Minarets Ranger District - North Fork, 559-877-2218 - Oakhurst, 559-658-7588
U. S. Forest Service, 559-658-7588, headquarter: 559-877-2218

Backpacking

Wilderness Backpacking Permits - Coulterville Area, Highway 132/120 - 209-962-7825 Fish Camp Area, Highway 41 - 209-683-4665 - Mariposa Area, Highway 140 209-966-3638 - Yosemite National Park - 209-372-0740

Biking - Mountain and Road

Goat Mountain Lookout - an energizing climb.
"007" - seven miles of downhill on a gnarly single-track.
Shut-Eye Peak - slick rock routes , along with majestic views of the Angel Adams and Yosemite wilderness area. Hwy. 41, 800-444-7275

Boating

Bass Lake - located southeast of Oakhurst. Bass Lake Boat Rentals and Water Sports, 559-642-3200, 800-585-9283
The Pines Resort - located at Bass Lake. - Pines Marina, 559-642-3565
Miller's Landing - located South Shore at Bass Lake, 559-642-3633
The Forks Resort - located at 39150 Road 222, Bass Lake, 559-642-3737
Millerton Lake -State Recreation Area, located 20 miles northeast of Fresno, off Hwy. 41, 800-444-7275

Cross Country Skiing

Ranger-Guided Cross Country Skiing - 209-372-0209

Fishing

Dept. of Fish and Game, Fresno, 559-243-4005
Bass Lake - located southeast of Oakhurst . Fish for kokanee salmon, and trout. The Bass Lake Fishing Derby is held in May with more than 800 tagged trout and $40,000 in cash and prizes.
Manzanita Lake - located two miles north of North Fork on Willow Creek , fish for rainbow trout. Family picnic area.
Mammoth Pool - located 40 miles east of North Fork on the San Joaquin River, Eastern Madera County's largest trout lake. Fish for brown trout.
Hensley Lake - located on the Fresno River near Madera. Fish for bass, blue gill, red-ear sunfish, crappie, catfish and rainbow trout. Camping sites, day use area for picnicking and boat ramps.
Eastman Lake - located on the Chowchilla River near Raymond. Similar fishing opportunities as Hensley Lake. Camping, picnicking and boat launching facilities. Bald eagles nest near the upper end of the lake, which is closed to access during nesting season.
Big Creek, Willow Creek, Fish Creek, Rock Creek, Chiquito Creek and Granite Creek - located along the South Fork Merced River. Great fly fishing for wild trout, brook, brown, rainbow and golden trout. Fly fishing lessons are offered on Big Creek, Chiquito Creek, Granite Creek, and the Merced River.
Iron Lakes, Bare Island Lake, Grizzly Lake and the Star Lakes, are good for still water fishing in the High Sierras.
Millerton Lake - State Recreation Area, located 20 miles northeast of Fresno, off Hwy. 41, 800-444-7275

Gold Panning
Click the Gold Panning Button for further information.

Coarsegold Creek - located on Hwy. 41, Coarsegold.
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad - 56001 Hwy. 41, Fish Camp

Hang Gliding

Motgherlode Sky Riders Instruction and Club - 209-529-9911

Hiking

The Way of the Mono Trail - a one-half mile, self guided walking trail near Bass Lake. You can see authentic Mono Indian grinding holes from this trail as well as spectacular views of Bass Lake.
Willow Creek Trail - use caution when hiking this trail, there are hazardous sections along the trail. Where Bass Lake passes along Angel Falls, see spectacular cascades flow into deep pools.
Goat Mountain Trail - this is a strenuous hike, climbing four miles to the summit, where you will find a fire lookout tower which provides some of the most awesome views of Bass Lake and the Sierra Nevada range. There are two trailheads along Bass Lake.
Shadow of the Giants Trail - an easy one mile hike among beautiful giant sequoia trees. Located in the Nelder Grove Giant Sequoia Preservation Area.
Cedars Interpretive Trail - this trail is especially easy for the physically challenged. A quarter-mile nature trail where you can learn about the region's natural resources and how to care for the environment. The trail starts from the North Fork Minarets ranger station.
Lewis Creek National Recreational Trail - a well hiked trail that follows the historical Madera Sugar Pine Lumber flume route. You will pass the Red Rock Falls and the 80 foot high Corlieu Falls
Millerton Lake - State Recreation Area, located 20 miles northeast of Fresno, off Hwy. 41, 800-444-7275
Wawona Meadow Loop - start at the Wawona Hotel, Yosemite. An easy 3.5 mile round trip that takes about 1.5 hours.
Swinging Bridge Loop - start at the Wawona Store/Pioneer History Center parking area, Yosemite. A moderate 4.75 mile round trip taking about 2 hours.
Taft Point - start at Taft Point parking area, Yosemite. An easy to moderate 2.2 mile round trip taking approximately 2 hours.
Sentinel Dome - start at Sentinel Dome parking area, Yosemite. A Moderate 2.2 mile round trip taking 2 hours.
Soda Springs/Parsons Lodge - start at Lembert Dome parking area, Yosemite. An easy 1.5 mile round trip taking 1 hour.
John Muir Trail through Lyell Canyon - start at Dog Lake parking area, Yosemite. An easy 8 mile trip one way, with a 200 foot gain, taking 3 to 4 hours.
Harden Lake - start at White Wolf drop off point via the Tuolumne Meadows Hikers' Bus, Yosemite. A moderate 9 mile round trip taking 4 to 6 hours.
Yosemite Valley via Porcupine Creek - start at Porcupine Creek via the Tuolumne Meadows Hikers' Bus, Yosemite. A moderate 7 mile one way trip with a 3,500 to 4.000 foot loss, taking 4 to 6 hours.
Lembert Dome - start at Tuolumne Meadows Store via the Tuolumne Meadows Hikers' Bus, Yosemite. A moderately strenuous 4 mile round trip taking 3 to 4 hours.
Foresta via Big Oak Flat Rd. - start at Tamarack Flat Campground entrance via the Tuolumne Meadows Hikers' Bus, Yosemite. A moderately strenuous 10-12 mile one way trip taking 5 to 7 hours with a 2,000 foot loss.
Yosemite Valley via Yosemite Creek - start at Lukens Lake trailhead via the Tuolumne Meadows Hikers' Bus. A moderately strenuous 10.5 mile one way trip taking 5 to 9 hours one way with a 3,500 to 4,000 foot loss .
Yosemite Valley via Cloud's Rest - start at Tenaya Lake via the Tuolumne Meadows Hikers' Bus. A strenuous 19 mile one way trip taking 10 to 12 hours. If camping overnight, you'll need a free wilderness permit.

Horseback Riding
Overnight horse camping in Yosemite requires a permit and specific horse inoculations.

Yosemite Horseback Riding Info. 209-372-0200
Yosemite Trails Pack Station, 559-868-3405
Wawona and Yosemite Valley - located in Yosemite National Park. One and two hour rides are available for beginners and half day and full day rides for more experienced riders. Guided tours available.
Yosemite Trails Pack Station - located in Yosemite National Park, southern entrance. One and two hour rides and an all day ride to the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias.
Minarets Pack Station - located in the Sierra backcountry. Day trips and overnight pack trips into the Ansel Adams Wilderness and Yosemite, 559-868-3405
Sierra National Forest - located adjacent to Yosemite. There are primitive and established campgrounds for both horse and rider.
Millerton Lake - State Recreation Area, located 20 miles northeast of Fresno, off Hwy.41, 800-444-7275

Parks and Public Lands

Wassama Round House State Historic Park Off Hwy. 49, five miles northwest of Oakhurst 559-822-2332 A 27 acre park used primarily as a ceremonial meeting place for California's Native Americans. The Gathering Days celebration is held annually the second Saturday in July. Enjoy crafts, dancing and basket weaving.
Yosemite National Park - Approximately 1,170 square miles in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. There are 263 miles of roads, 800 miles of hiking trails, around 240 species of birds, 80 species of mammals, and 1,400 species of flowering plants, 37 of which are trees. Yosemite's elevation ranges from 2,000 feet to over 13,000 feet, and is 94.5 percent undeveloped. General Park Info. 209-372-0200
Sierra National Forest 559-877-2218
Bass Lake Recreation Area - located in the Sierra National Forest, southeast of Oakhurst. National Recreation Reservations System 877-444-6777
Millerton Lake - State Recreation Area - located 20 miles northeast of Fresno, off Hwy. 41 800-444-7275

Neighborhood: Picnicking, Playgrounds, Multi-Use Fields, Swimming Pools

Oakhurst Community Park - just off Hwy. 41 near the Oakhurst Branch Library on Civic Circle. Ideal for picnics and playground equipment for children.

Rock Climbing

Yosemite National Park - half and full day classes and private guides are available from May through October in Yosemite. General Information: 209-372-0200 Yosemite Guides: 209-379-2231

El Capitan - located in Yosemite National Park. Visitors interested in watching professional climbers can park at El Capitan Meadow in Yosemite Valley and gaze at the largest single mass of granite in the world.

Snowmobiling
There is no snow removal on national forest roads.

Whisky Snowmobile Trail - located above North Fork. A 35 mile marked route through the forest following existing roads. Whisky Falls Snowmobile Area (USFS) 559-877-2218
Beasore Road - located above Bass Lake, near Pines Village.

Snowshoeing

Badger Pass - located in Yosemite National Park. National Park Service ranger- naturalists conduct easy snowshoe walks. Small fee for snowshoe rentals.
Snow Shoe Walks - 209-372-0209

 

Recreational Businesses

Backpacking Trips - Guided

High Sierra Camp Reservations - 209-253-5674

Bike Rentals

Will Riskit Mountain Cyclists - 209-742-52-39 or 966-5139
Yosemite Bug Hostel - 209-966-6666
Yosemite Concession Services - 209-372-1200

Boat Rentals

Barrett Cove - 209-378-2441
Bass Lake Boat Rentals and Water Sports -Bass Lake: 800-585-WAVE, 559-642-3200
The Pines Resort - Bass Lake: 800-350-7463, 559-642-3565
McClure Point - 209-378-2441
Miller's Landing - Bass Lake: 559-642-3633
The Forks Resort - Bass Lake: 559-642-3737
Sierra Power Center - 10432 Hwy. 41, Madera: 559-432-1817

Bowling

Sierra Lanes

Carriage Rides

Butterfly Carriage and Stage Lines - 209-742-6767

Campgrounds

Group Camps

Calvin Crest
Camp Pacifica
Camp Sugar Pine
Episcopal Conference Center
Jack Boyd Camp Green Meadows
Jackass Rock Camp
Oakhurst Christian Conference Center
Sierra Pines Youth Camp
Skylake Yosemite Camp
Summit Adventures
Yosemite Bible Camp
Yosemite Sierra Summer Camp

Bass Lake - 559-642-3212
Open year-round

Lupine-Cedar Bluff

Open May 15 - September 11

Forks
Spring Cove
Wishon

Sierra National Forest - 559-658-7588

Big Sandy
Bowler - Group and Horses
Chilkoot
China Bar
Clover Meadow
Fish Creek
Fresno Dome
Gaggs Camp
Granite Creek - Horse Corral
Greys Mountain
Kelty Meadow - Horse Camp
Little Jackass - Groups OK
Lower Chiquito
Mammoth Pool
Nelder Grove
Placer
Rock Creek
Soda Springs
Soquel
Summerdale
Sweetwater
Texas Flat - Group and Horses
Upper Chiquito
Whiskers
Whisky Falls

RV Parks

High Sierra RV - Oakhurst
Ahwahnee Golf and RV Resort - Oakhurst

Fishing

Yosemite Bass Lake Fishing Adventures

Gold Panning

Coarsegold Creek - located on Hwy. 41, Coarsegold.
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad - 56001 Hwy. 41, Fish Camp

Golf Courses
Click the Golf Courses Button for further information.

Horse - Carriage Riding - Boarding

Butterfly Carriage and Stage Lines - 209-742-6767
Rocking J. Ranch - Boarding/Lessons/Arena/Trails - 209-966-4706
Yosemite Stage and Turnpike Company - 209-966-2908
Yosemite Trails Pack Station - 209-683-7611 or 665-5286

Horseback Riding and Horsepacking

Cherry Valley Pack Station - Winter - 209-878-3596 - Summer - 962-5671
Tuolumne Meadows - Summer - 209-372-8427
Wawona Horseback Riding - 209-375-6502
Yosemite Trails Pack Station - Winter - 209-683-7426 - Summer - 683-7611
Yosemite Valley - 209-372-8348

Ice Skating

Curry Village Ice Skating Rink -Yosemite

Rock Climbing

Yosemite Mountaineering School - 209-372-8344

Ski Resorts - Alpine and Nordic

Badger Pass
Bear Valley
Dodge Ridge - Hwy 108 at Pinecrest, CA, 209.965.3474

Snow Shoe Rentals

Yosemite Bug Hostel - 209-966-6666

Theaters (Live)

Golden Chain Theatre - Melodrama running summer and fall, with a christmas show, plus many other events. Hwy 41, Info: 559-683-7112 www.goldenchaintheatre.org
Front Row Theater

Theaters (Movie)

Met Cinemas

Train Rides

Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
56001 Yosemite Hwy 41, Fish Camp, CA - 559-683-7273

White Water Rafting

The Bureau of Land Management licenses commercial white water rafting companies operating on the Merced River. For a current list of licensed operators contact the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 916-985-4474 or Mariposa County Visitors Bureau - 209-966-2456

FYI
El Capitan - The largest single mass of granite in the world.
Located in Yosemite National Park.

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