Plan & Explore
Shopping & Dining
There are a variety of shops and restaurants in Mariposa near our hotel, and during your stay, you and your family or group can enjoy a short walk to these nearby destinations. Whether you like Mexican food, pizza, sandwiches, steaks or a little of everything, Mariposa has something to satisfy your appetite. And, if you want to pick up some souvenirs or gifts, or need to pick up a hat and some sunblock to wear in Yosemite, you'll find everything you need in the town's little boutiques and shops.
Nearby Restaurants
China Station Restaurant | 5004 Highway 140 | 209-966-3889
Castillo's Mexican Restaurant | 4995 5th Street | 209-742-4413
Dazzle's Donuts | 5103 C. Highway 140 | 209-742-2035
Happy Burger Diner | 5120 Highway 140 | 209-966-2719
High Country Health Food Store & Cafe | 5176 Highway 49 N. | 209-966-5111
1850 BBQ | 5114 Highway 140 | 209-742-2140
Salvador's Restaurant |5109 Highway 140 | 209-966-7227
Savoury's Restaurant | 5034 Highway 140 | 209-966-7677
Triangle Road Cafe | 3125 B. Triangle Road | 209-742-4499
The Alley | 5027-C Central Yosemite Hwy 140 | 209-742-4848
Charles Street Dinner House | 5043 Charles St | 209-966-2366
Nearby Shops
Boutique by the Creek | Home decor, collectibles, handmade items, cards, books and gifts
Chocolate Soup | Home and garden accessories, gifts and vintage items
Flutterbys Gift Shoppe | Handmade gifts and collectibles, spices and homemade lotions
Mariposa Fruit & Nut Company | Dried California almonds, pistachios, apricots, peaches and pears
The Fremont House | Fine clothing, boots and shoes
Yosemite Gifts | Jewelry, authentic totem poles, rocks, mineral specimens, fossils, old books, vintage signs, gifts and collectibles
Artesanos | Featured designs from local artists and other accomplished crafters in a relaxed and casual environment.
Wineries
Located in the Sierra foothills in a climate ideal for growing wine grapes, Mariposa is home to a number of wineries that you can visit and tour during your stay at Mariposa Lodge. Take a walk through the beautiful vineyards, schedule a wine tasting or take advantage of the charming picnic areas offered by some of the wineries.
Butterfly Creek Winery
Butterfly Creek Winery is located about 11 miles away from Mariposa Lodge, and specializes in Merlot, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery also has a picnic area by a little creek where you can enjoy a packed lunch after touring the vineyard.
Mount Bullion Vineyard/Casto Oaks Fine Wine & Art
Sip a glass of Chardonnay while viewing fine paintings, pottery, photography and hand-blown glass at Casto Oaks. Casto Oaks is a tasting room and art gallery that serves wine from Mount Bullion Vineyard. Visit by appointment only.
Chappell Winery& Vineyard
Located about eight miles from our hotel, Chappell Winery & Vineyard offers several wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache.
Ciera Wine Cellars
This boutique winery is located 11 miles away from us, and focuses on sustainable farming in their vineyards.
Spring & Summer
The spring and summer months in Yosemite are perfect for those interested in the myriad of activities the park is best known for, like hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and wildlife viewing. Located a pretty hour's drive away from Yosemite, Mariposa Lodge offers clean, spacious guest rooms in a location close to Mariposa restaurants and shopping. After a day of outdoor adventures, return to Mariposa Lodge for a warm welcome and some R&R.
In the spring, snow begins melting as the weather warms, making rivers and creeks swell with water, and causing the park's many waterfalls to be at their peak runoff in May and June. Most of the park is still covered in snow in the spring months, with Tioga and Glacier Point Roads remaining closed until late May, but Wawona, Yosemite Valley, and Hetch Hetchy are typically free of snow by May.
Waterfalls Worth the Hike
Horsetail Falls
Visit Horsetail Falls in mid- to late-February, when, for just a few days, the sun sets in such a way that the falls light up and appear to be on fire—it's become known as the Horsetail Firefall. There are no crowds at this time, and the best place to get a great shot of this marvel is on the road leading out of Yosemite Valley. There's a clearing near a picnic area on this road that offers the best view and photo op.
Bridalveil Fall
Bridalveil is the ultimate waterfall in Yosemite—an iconic fall that gets its name from an ongoing windswept spray of water that resembles a bridal veil. This is one of the few falls in the park that flows year-round.
Yosemite Falls
The highest waterfall in North America, Yosemite Falls is at its most powerful in the spring. The spring is also when you can get a glimpse of the "moonbow" phenomenon, where on a clear night with a bright moon, the light of the moon on the waterfall mist creates a rainbow.
Nevada & Vernal Falls
Nevada and Vernal Falls are the payoff for a hike on the Mist Trail, so named because mist from the falls sprays the path. All along the hike to the falls, you'll witness some spectacular views, but be careful, because the path can get quite slippery. The springtime is the best time to visit these falls.
Yosemite Summer Activities | June-September
Summer is the most crowded time in Yosemite, as all of the areas of the park are accessible since the last of the snow has melted. Wildflowers are all abloom in June in Yosemite Valley and Wawona, with some varieties blooming in Tuolumne Meadows in July.
Summer Activities
Fall & Winter
In the fall and winter, Yosemite offers an exciting array of things to do, from hiking and biking, to skiing at Badger Pass. Then, after a day of fun, return home to our spacious, newly renovated guest rooms and relax in our comfy beds, or take a dip in our hot tub.
Because most of the trees in Yosemite are evergreen, fall foliage isn't one of the main draws to the park, although the maple trees, black oaks and other deciduous trees found dotting the mountains do show off their vibrant colors around mid-October. The best reason to go to Yosemite in the fall is to take in all the breathtaking views and catch glimpses of wildlife in relative solitude—it's the time of year when the park sees the fewest visitors.
Fall is the time to hike to places like Half Dome, Glacier Point and Sentinel Rock, all of which offer stunning views. Rock climbing and biking are also great to take advantage of in the fall. It should be noted that water levels are low in the fall, so this isn't a good season for checking out the park's waterfalls, which are at a trickle this time of year, if not completely dry.
Winter in Yosemite means lots of peaceful snowfall, and great snow-related activities at Badger Pass Ski Area. In February, take part in the annual Nordic Holiday Race—a two-day event with an 18k cross country skiing race, downhill telemark and 38k free-style events.
Badger Pass Winter Sports
Some roads are closed in the winter due to ice and snow, but the Yosemite Valley and Wawona are accessible all year.