Refresh Rate: Families Unplug in Yosemite Mariposa County

Family ties are meant to be strong, but when they rely on cords, wires and screens the bond can get a bit…. tangled.  Fortunately, there’s a place where your crew can unplug with plenty of first-person action, and where the most powerful signal doesn’t come from some remote cell tower but from the sweet countenance of Mother Nature herself: Yosemite Mariposa County.

The gentle pace of life in these mountains is guaranteed to alleviate any concern for download speeds and clear your cache of all the clutter back home. Once you’ve broken free, an analog world of outdoor recreation, art and wildlife reveals itself. Sierra sunbeams dance, pine-scented air soothes, and ice cream just tastes better. Indeed, the refresh rate in Yosemite Mariposa County is high.

Analog All Day: Screen-Free Things To Do

In its simplest form, unplugging in Yosemite Mariposa County is all about letting the kids run free in its wide-open spaces. Go for a swim, take a hike, ride a bike —  the scale and beauty of the Park is both invigorating and awe-inspiring, and as far from the walled confines of home as you can get.

Filed under “master of the obvious” is the fact that phones are handheld devices, which in turn opens up a key strategy for reducing screen time — keep those hands busy!  Rock climbing in Yosemite has a famed history, and with its vast holdings of granite, there is something to scale for the whole family.  From toddlers free soloing small boulders along the trail to craggy plateaus where the fam can enjoy a picnic, the options are many.  Want to literally go next level with some vertical walls?  The Yosemite Mountaineering School & Guide Service offers rock climbing lessons that range from Beginner (Welcome To The Rock) to Advanced (Big Wall Climbing). Family and private lessons available!

Fishing in Yosemite Mariposa County swaps out those tangled cords for a smooth-spinning reel and is a surefire way to go screen-free.  With its constellation of sparkling lakes, the Merced River and hundreds of miles of streams, there are countless ways to flick a line be that from boat, bank, or shore. We all know that H2O is like a magnet for kids, so when the fish aren’t biting slip into your water shoes and take a swim for full effect.

Of course there’s swimming, and there’s swimming with attitude. Splash-n-Dash Aqua Park at Lake McSwain is North America’s largest inflatable water park, where kids quickly forget about their screens as they launch their sibs from The Blob or glide down the 27 ft. Action Slide Tower. With on-site Lake McSwain Campground, Movies on the Beach and the Reel Deal Cafe, Lake McSwain is the perfect place for a family summer getaway, with day trips to Yosemite National Park serving as a natural diversion unlike any other. Pro Tip:  If Lake McSwain Campground is full, try the four campgrounds at Lake McClure just a few miles away.

There is a mother lode of screen-free options when it comes to exploring Yosemite Mariposa County’s history.  From the living legacy of native Miwuk culture to the Gold Rush, and from rock climbing legends to the fascinating story of the Buffalo Soldiers in Yosemite, the museums of Yosemite Mariposa County have the bandwidth to track with you and your family. Want to experience history IRL?  Try a gold panning adventure with local prospectors, or wind through the Sierra National Forest on the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad near the historic town of Fish Camp. Kids 2 and under ride free!

When it comes to kids’ art, Yosemite is its own canvas with plummeting waterfalls, face-like cliffs and ancient trees.  Bring some art supplies from home and have the kids paint/draw what they see — if you’re nice they might put you in the picture, too!  If you prefer a more “professional” approach, the Happy Isles Art & Nature Center offers free kids art classes Mondays thru Thursdays in summer.

Kids love animals, and with nearly 1,450 square miles of varied habitat, the opportunity to spot wildlife in Yosemite Mariposa County is best in the West. Mammals, reptiles, birds…we got ‘em all!  A fun way to divert the youngins from their screens and into the beautiful surroundings is to play the Beast Mode Yosemite board game. Gamers get points for spotting and describing such animals as black bears, yellow-bellied marmots, and Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep (extra, extra credit!). Also try Beast Mode’s companion Hey, What’s That? — a game of notable landmarks, waterfalls and historical curiosities dotted throughout the region.  Winner gets to pick what’s for dinner!

Speaking of food, all this rambling, scrambling, and splashing is bound to build a powerful appetite for your team of real-world adventurers.  From pizza, burgers, and ice cream to ramen, BBQ, and boba, check our Eat & Drink section for the full menu of dining options. 

Rooms & Regions: Where To Stay

Finding the right base camp is key for all family getaways, whether you want to spread out in a rental cabin, take advantage of the amenities in a hotel or pitch a tent under the stars. Pick your preferred type of accommodation and use the Filter By Region tabs on the left side of the page for custom results.  If you want to know more about a particular area, our regions of Yosemite Mariposa County page is the perfect place to start the planning process.

Close to the action, you say?  Camping in Yosemite Valley is a family fave. You can still hear the nostalgic call of “Hello, Glacier Point!” from the tent cabins at Camp Curry, and with seasonal swimming, ice skating and bike rentals there’s no shortage of fun activities to burn off that excess energy. Note: Campsites in Yosemite National Park book early so be sure to follow the guidelines to secure these fabled digs.

Wawona is the hub of Southern Yosemite, and this wooded valley offers families lots of choices when it comes base camp bliss.  The Redwoods in Yosemite manages 125 vacation rental cabins that range from picturesque tiny houses to luxury chalets. Perfect for small families, groups of families or multi-generational gatherings.  Check out their Special Offers to maximize savings!

Another hot spot for families leaning towards a cabin rental is Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders.  Located in the Glacier Point Road region, they manage over 100 properties mostly in the Yosemite West enclave which is just 11 miles from Yosemite Valley and 18 miles to the Glacier Point overlook.

When it comes to choices, there’s nothing like making Central Mariposa County your base camp. From RV camping to luxe resorts, and rental homes to affordable hotels, the balance between Yosemite’s grandeur and Mariposa’s creature comforts is sure to meet every family’s demands. Located in Midpines, the Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort is as fun as its name, with on-site June Bug Cafe and nearby access to the Wild & Scenic Merced River.  The River Rock Inn in charming downtown Mariposa offers suites for up to 4 guests, and pre/teens will love the vibe at Sticks Coffee next door. Avocado toast, anyone?

To explore all your accommodation options in every unique corner of Yosemite Mariposa County, be sure to check out our Places To Stay and Regions sections.

Summer Camp 2.0

Unplugging in Yosemite Mariposa County is like going back in time.  It mirrors the best of what we remember, from summer camp as a kid to bygone days of train travel and penned journals. Half Dome hasn’t changed, nor has Yosemite Falls, and they’re sure to infuse your stay with a sense of enduring hope.  Indeed, Mother Nature’s signal is strong.  Once you power down, the connection between family members will rise up higher than Yosemite’s majestic peaks.