MADERA COUNTY

Madera County is known for its family-owned wineries, arts & culture, beautiful Bass Lake and as California’s Gateway to Yosemite.

Vibe:

From the laid-back traveler to the ultra-adventurous, Madera County has something for everyone!

Known for:

Being California’s Gateway to Yosemite and MORE!

Don’t miss:

The Fossil Discovery Center in Chowchilla where you can meet Columbian Mammoths and creatures from 780,000 years ago!

Area Summary:

Start at the Fossil Discovery Center in Chowchilla. See fossilized remains of Colombian Mammoths and other massive animals that once roamed here over 780,000 years ago.

Visit the award-winning, family-owned wineries along the Madera Wine Trail.

Stay, dine and explore in Oakhurst, the largest foothill community outside of Yosemite. Oakhurst has a wide array of lodging and dining opportunities along with museums, art galleries, thrift & gift shops, brewery, winery, distillery and more.

Bass Lake is known for watersports, hiking, fishing, biking, shopping, and lakeside dining. Lodging options include full-service resorts, vacation rentals and camping.

Hop aboard the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad in Fish Camp and take a one hour narrated tour aboard an historic steam train.

Just inside Yosemite’s south gate entrance you can catch the free shuttle into the majestic Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias to see some of the largest trees on earth.

Your final stop along the Fossils to Falls Road Trip is Yosemite Valley where you can explore the many icons and take a short hike to Yosemite Falls, North America’s tallest waterfall.