Mariposa County

Overview

Mariposa County encompasses the western gateway communities to Yosemite National Park and is celebrating its 175th anniversary in 2025. The county is fully accessible for camping and recreation with all roads currently open as of October 2025 (Highway 140 reopened in late March after a rockslide closure). Key updates for experienced campers: Tuolumne Meadows Campground has completed its 3-year, $20 million renovation and reopened in 2025—marking the first time since 2019 that ALL Yosemite campgrounds are operational simultaneously. Highway 140, known as the "All-Weather Highway," is the primary access route through the Merced River Canyon and typically remains snow-free year-round at lower elevations. The county offers diverse camping from BLM sites along the Merced River (like McCabe Flat, 14-day max stay) to developed campgrounds like Cherry Valley and Summerdale in Sierra National Forest. Note that while Yosemite's higher elevation roads (Tioga Pass/Highway 120 East and Glacier Point Road) close seasonally for winter, Highway 140 through Mariposa County provides reliable year-round park access. Glamping expansion at Wildhaven Yosemite continues through 2026. YARTS public transit celebrates 25 years serving the Highway 140 corridor. Standard 14-day camping limits apply at most USFS and BLM sites in the county.