Things To Do In The Southern Sierra Region

Discover the quietly thriving Southern Sierra region. It’s a landscape where nature and history remain well preserved – alive in pristine condition – offering guests a chance to embrace the energy of the Old West. 

Staying in Yosemite

Ranging from rustic camp grounds to full service hotels, one can choose according to needs and price range. Typically accommodations are busy during holidays and summer season.

• HOTELS
  In Yosemite Valley, Aramark Corporation runs the hotels including the Majestic Yosemite Hotel (formerly known as The Ahwahnee Hotel). Outside of the park are the Tenaya Lodge and other establishments in Mariposa and Madera Counties. 
• TENTS & CABINS
  Yosemite's campgrounds are operated by the the National Park Service. Advanced reservation and first-come, first-served system. Backpacker campgrounds are located in Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows and Hetch Hetchy. 877-444-6777.
• VACATION HOMES
  Offer comfortable and affordable stay for visitors. According to number of guests and desired level of luxury, vacation homes provide fully equipped kitchens, hot tubs, barbecue sets, and other comforts of home. Yosemite's Scenic Wonders' homes and condominiums located in Yosemite West, inside the gates of Yosemite National Park provide such memorable stay and and offer the closest accommodation to Badger Pass Ski Area. They also have homes in Wawona and in the south gate community near Oakhurst.

Oakhurst

• SHADOW OF THE GIANTS TRAIL
  Nelder Grove is the perfect place to wander among giant sequoias. This peaceful and soothing grove is also relatively undiscovered. Visit any time of year to see some of earth’s largest living things. Located above Oakhurst, off Sky Ranch Road.
• FRESNO FLATS HISTORICAL PARK
  Relive the nineteenth century in this historic village and go back in time with a visit to one-room schoolhouses or the jail, and experience the history of Eastern Madera County.
• WILD WONDERFUL KING VINTAGE MUSEUM
  There’s a lot of history in clothing. With 200 years of fashion and military memorabilia from 1790 to the Civil War, Spanish–American War, WWI and WWII, this museum reveals war’s influence on fashion and style.
• RIVER CREEK GOLF COURSE
  River Creek is truly a natural oasis. Plan a visit and discover why so many nature lovers and area golfers return to this verdant course.
• YOSEMITE TRAILS
  Hit the trail with the Yosemite Cowboys for horseback rides, an authentic western barbecue or a magical winter sleigh ride.

Bass Lake

• A DAY AT BASS LAKE
  Take a day to spend time in nature at this pretty mountain reservoir with fishing, boating, water skiing, barbecuing and many other activities available
• BOAT RENTAL AND WATER SPORTS
  Located at Ducey’s on the Lake in Pines Village, Bass Lake Water Sports and Boat Rentals offers multiple ways to get around on the water from tubing to waterboarding and more.
• HIKE BASS LAKE
  The Bass Lake area is filled with wonderful trails leading to such scenic points as Angel Falls, beautiful cascades and deep pools, and picnic-perfect summits that look out on grand Sierra views.

Mariposa County

• BRICEBURG CANYON
  Once home to gold mines, it’s still possible to dip a pan in the river and try your luck. Take time to get to this cool river and dip your toes in, too.
• COYOTE SPRINGS RANCH
  Experience life on a working ranch where deer and coyote play, cattle work and horses roam across beautiful foothill countryside.
• VISIT HISTORIC TOWN OF MARIPOSA
  With its historic architecture, and wonderful arts, crafts and antique shopping, California’s first capital is still authentic and always original.
• YOSEMITE SIERRA FLY-FISHING
  The best place for top-quality and fully guided, instructional fly-fishing can be found here on some of the world’s most beautiful waters.
• MERCED RIVER TRAIL
  A rough-hewn and unshaded 18-mile trek for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders follows the old Yosemite railroad grade from the Briceburg Visitor Center to the Highway 49 Bridge at Bagby.
• WILDFLOWERS AND WILD WATERS
  Witness a bursting celebration of blossoms and waterfalls during the late spring and early summer in and around Yosemite National Park