Best Things To Do In Yosemite Mariposa County

Yosemite Valley has been a pilgrimage for rock climbers, Instagrammers and naturists alike, but it’s not the only awesome attraction in the area, in fact, there are more than a few adrenaline-pumping activities in the Yosemite Mariposa County.

This makes it an ideal location to kick back, stop stressing and experience what the great American outdoors has to offer.

Skydiving Over Yosemite National Park

Where better to see one of the most stunning valleys in the world than from thousands of feet above. Skydive Yosemite offer tandem skydives at several different elevations, with jumpmasters that are U.S.P.A-rated, in other words, you’re in safe hands.

This half-day experience sees you take off from Mariposa Airport and head toward Yosemite National Park to experience once in a lifetime views of Half Dome and El Capitan, before turning back toward the airport for the epic skydive. And trust us, that will be a rush of a lifetime. Bucket list, tick!

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White Water Raft down the Merced River

Driving toward Yosemite Valley from Mariposa Town is a road that hugs the Merced River, which itself has melted down from the epic mountain ranges in the distance. It gradually softened out to allow commercially raftable white water action in abundance and is one of the best whitewater trips in the state of California, organised by Zephyr Whitewater Rafting.

The half-day option allows you to enjoy 11 miles of the river and includes access to wetsuits, life jackets and helmets. With six people to a boat, as well as a guide to provide humour, expertise and safely direct your craft around obstacles and rapids while you frantically paddle amongst six-foot swells of water.

At a calmer section of the journey, they even allow you to jump in and experience the ice-cold mountain H20, sign up if you’re wild at heart.

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Stay The Night In Autocamp’s Custom Airstreams

If you want to stay in the forest, and also retain a bit of comfort and class, then Autocamp’s custom-built, beautifully designed airstreams, cabins and luxury tents are perfect for you. Situated between Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Town, this lodging experience has style, warmth and relaxation at the heart of its offering. It’s iconic airstream suite has a queen-sized bed, spa-inspired bathroom, kitchen and a campfire kit to burn on your private patio fire pit while you stare up into the clear night sky.

Autocamp clubhouse has communal fire pits, lounge areas and a swimming pool to cool off in. This location has been curated with a real photographers' eye (just check out their instagram page) meaning there’s a picture-perfect view everywhere you look, so no excuse for your Instagram page not to be full of gorge travel inspo.

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Explore Yosemite Valley

Now this location may be one of the most picturesque places in the entire world, with flocks of content creators coming to shoot it’s epic valley. Yosemite Valley is around 12km long and 3,000 feet deep, framed by massive sheets of granite rock that can be scaled by climbers of all abilities. 

The views are seriously awe-inspiring, with emerald green valley forest outlining granite walls carved by years of waterfall erosion, such as Yosemite Falls where you can get a sense of its scale by getting drenched in its mist. Several hiking trails take you around the valley mountains as well as through Mariposa Grove, where giant sequoia trees ascend into the air and literally take your breath away.

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Zip Lining

Yosemite ZipLine and Adventure Ranch just outside of Mariposa Town has constructed a two hour, six-stage course, to provide a “no sweat adrenaline” experience that’s hard to beat. The 3800 foot course has you flying through holes in trees, looking out on epic views of Downtown Mariposa and generally having the best time of your life. 

The Adventure Ranch also includes an aerial ropes course with eight different elements before the grand finale of ‘The Giant Swing’. Well worth swinging by.. Get it?

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Walk Around Mariposa Old Town

The town of Mariposa first settled in 1849 as part of the gold rush, and you can really get a feel for the Old West from its idyllic small town charm and no chain-stores or out of place buildings. Instead, the buildings such as the courthouse built in 1854, the oldest west of the Rocky mountains, take centre stage. Head to the 1850 restaurant and brewery if you’re feeling hungry for hand cut steaks, burgers, fried chicken and of course a glass of their own 1850 beer.

Or if you’re feeling like mixing it up with some of the locals, head to The Hideout Saloon, a long underground bar with original stone stacked walls that are covered in dollar bills. This is as Wild West as it gets.

With Yosemite National Park in Mariposa’s backyard, this is a perfect place to base yourself to get a true sense of the great American outdoors.

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MTV Travelled With… Yosemite Mariposa County. For more information about Yosemite Mariposa County and the surrounding area, please visit: www.yosemite.com. MTV Travelled With… InsureandGo. Whether you're going for a weekend away or the holiday of a lifetime, Insureandgo offers the best single trip and annual multi-trip travel insurance. For more information, please visit: www.insureandgo.com