The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad offers a one-hour narrated tour along the historic route of the Madera Sugar Pine Railroad. Operating dates are seasonal; check the schedule before planning your ride.

Traces of Different Eras

Fresno Flats Historic Village & Park is centered around two restored and furnished homes dating from the late 1860s. Coarsegold Historic Village includes buildings from the 1850s. The Madera County Museum offers another glimpse into the past: the granite building dates to 1900 and was originally built for the offices of Madera County and the Superior Court. The former courthouse was converted into a museum, where visitors can explore the history of Madera and its former residents.

Cultural significance is reflected not only in historic buildings. Wassama Roundhouse continues to serve as a spiritual and ceremonial place for many Indigenous Californians. Sierra Mono Museum & Cultural Center promotes public understanding and appreciation of Mono culture; it also documents and collects Mono artifacts and history.

Fossils and the History of the Earth

Fossil Discovery Center features numerous exhibits on prehistoric life in the San Joaquin Valley during the last Ice Age. A mock dig lets children excavate 22 fossil replicas from the region. Regional paleontology has another connection, too: the Fairmead Landfill in Madera County was the site of one of the largest Middle Pleistocene fossil excavations in North America.

Trails and Wide-Open Landscapes

The Wuh-ki'o Trail is about four miles long and connects to Millerton Lake State Recreation Area on the Madera County side of the reservoir. Conditions on site may vary; check them before setting out. Dozens of trails lead from Bass Lake into the surrounding Sierra National Forest. The San Joaquin River Gorge Special Recreation Management Area also includes land in Madera County.

The Sierra Vista Scenic Byway is an almost 100-mile route through the Sierra National Forest. It offers expansive views and unique rock formations, and passes historic cabins and groves of giant sequoias. Road conditions may vary; check conditions before your drive. For your planning, an hour-long train tour and an almost 100-mile scenic route offer two different scales.

Tastings and Event Dates

The Madera Wine Trail offers a way to taste wines in Madera County. Participating wineries may change; checking the latest information can help with planning. The Madera Fair takes place every September, but the exact dates vary from year to year. If you want to plan your visit around it, check the dates for the relevant year.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Madera, Chowchilla, Oakhurst, Ahwahnee, Bass Lake, North Fork, Wishon and Mariposa.

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