Major city · United States
Mariposa
Stay 1 night in Mariposa only if Yosemite Valley lodging is full or over budget: it is about 1 h by car from the valley floor.
Mariposa is a Gold Rush county seat on Highway 140 and the last town of any size before Yosemite's west entrance. Its motels cost less than in-park lodging, but you pay for it in a roughly one-hour drive each way. Come for one night, a mining museum and a burger, not as a sightseeing base in its own right.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and park crowds), Dec–Feb (snow chains on 140)
- Airports
- RMY · FAT · MCE
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Mariposa911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Mariposa County Sheriff (non-emergency)209-966-3615
- Yosemite road and park conditions209-372-0200
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mariposa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyA small, quiet county town; the real risks are the Highway 140 canyon drive, winter ice, summer heat and wildlife on the road at dusk.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 209-966-3615 Mariposa County Sheriff (non-emergency) · 209-372-0200 Yosemite road and park conditions
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportRMY Mariposa-Yosemite Airport (General aviation only; no scheduled airline service.).
- Getting aroundWalk the commercial strip: it runs about 10 blocks along Highway 140.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- Sit-down mealSteak dinner$30–50
- BeerDraught beer$7–9
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry$4–5
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$150
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$260
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$140 · High US$260
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- RMY Mariposa-Yosemite Airport (General aviation only; no scheduled airline service.) · FAT Fresno Yosemite International (About 1 h 30 min by car via Highway 41 and 49 (check).) · MCE Merced Regional (Small field; Merced is the Amtrak and YARTS transfer point, about 45 min by bus.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Mar
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (8 rain days), driest Jun (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mariposa: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
Feb
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
6 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the commercial strip: it runs about 10 blocks along Highway 140. Everything else — the mining museum, trailheads, Yosemite — needs a car. YARTS buses on Highway 140 stop in town mid-May to late September and include park entry in the fare.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h each way
Drive Highway 140 east through the canyon to the Arch Rock entrance
Leave by 7am in summer; parking on the valley floor fills early.
El Portal
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Highway 140 east, about 30 min
Closer beds to the park gate if Mariposa is full.
Fish Camp
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Highway 49 south then Highway 41 north, about 1 h 15 min
Useful only for the south entrance and Mariposa Grove.
Coulterville
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Highway 49 north, about 30 min
Small Gold Rush main street; pair with a 49 drive.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Central Yosemite Highway (Route 140) strip
Motels, diners and the museum cluster along about 10 blocks; walkable once parked.
Jessie Street and 5th–6th Street
Historic inn and saloon side streets, a 2–5 min walk from the highway.
Highway 49 south toward the fairgrounds
Mining museum and fairground area, about 3 km (1.8 mi) south of the centre; car needed.Mining museum and fairground area, about 1.8 mi (3 km) south of the centre; car needed.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–200 excl. bed
- High
- $220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$140 | US$280 |
| YARTS Highway 140 fare (includes park entry)2 × US$20 · check | US$40 |
| Yosemite park entry, 7-day vehicle pass1 × US$35 · check | US$35 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$55 |
| Trip total≈ US$300 per person per day, bed included | US$600 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; park entry and fuel extra. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Burger and fries at a diner | $14–20 |
| Steak dinner | $30–50 |
| Draught beer | $7–9 |
| Motel room, summer weekend | $150–260 |
| Gasoline, per US gallon | $4.50–5.50 (check) |
| Museum entry | $4–5 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Highway 140 closes or needs chains in winter storms: check road conditions before driving to Yosemite.
- Yosemite entry in peak season needs a timed reservation at times: check the park's official site before you book a bed here.
- Cell coverage is patchy on the canyon stretch of 140 east of town.
- Summer afternoons reach the high 30s °C; carry water.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Mariposa County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- 209-966-3615
- Yosemite road and park conditions
- 209-372-0200
Pocket card
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MariposaMariposa
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Sheriff non-emergency209-966-3615
Embassy
No consulates here; nearest are in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- YARTS Merced → Mariposa: about 45 min, fare includes Yosemite entry (check)
- Mariposa → Yosemite Valley by car: about 1 h, 64 km (40 mi)about 1 h, 40 mi (64 km)
- Mariposa → San Francisco by car: about 3 h via Highway 140 and Interstate 5
Say or show
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
- Is the road open? — Is the road open?
- One night, please — One night, please
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- How far to Yosemite Valley? — How far to Yosemite Valley?
Tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mariposa. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and park crowds), Dec–Feb (snow chains on 140) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for FAT and MCE: last-mile drive times, YARTS season window, winter chain rules.
- Walking cluster on Highway 140 with verified museum and diner hours.
- Place pages for the mining museum and history centre with current entry fees and seasonal hours.
- Yosemite gate and reservation fixtures so the base-or-skip call can go green.