California State Mining and Mineral Museum Park Property
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Thu–Sun 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Summer hours)
- Entrance fee
- $4 per adultAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- parks.ca.gov(209) 742-7625
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
California State Mining and Mineral Museum Park Property is a park in Mariposa County, about 29 miles northeast of Chowchilla.
Visitors come for historic sites and ranger programs.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Mon–Wed | Closed | — |
| Thu–Sun | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Summer hours | |
| Thu–Sun | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Winter hours |
Official wording
Open Thurs-Sun & Closed to the public Mon-Wed Admission $4, children 12 and under are free. Summer Hours - 10 am - 5 pm May 1-Sept 30 Winter Hours - 10 am - 4 pm Oct 1- Apr 30
Seasons/Climate Recommended Clothing: Winter in Mariposa at 2000ft elevation is above the valley fog, below the snow line with plenty of sunny days. Weather in the summer can be quite warm during the day with cool evenings. Layered clothing is advised.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Los Angeles).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Adult Entry Fee | $4 |
| Children (12 & Under) Entry Fee | Free |
Official wording
Special rates may apply for peak season, high demand holiday periods, and during weekends. Prices are subject to change without notice. • Adult Entry Fee: $4.00 • Children (12 & Under) Entry Fee: Free
California park passes
- California Explorer Annual Pass — $195. Vehicle day-use entry to 134 state parks incl. high-demand Southern California beaches Details
- Golden Poppy Annual Pass — $125. Vehicle day-use entry to 112 state parks Details
- Historian Passport — $50. Admission for up to four people at per-person-fee State Historic Parks Details
- Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Annual Pass — $50. Entry to State Vehicular Recreation Areas that collect day-use fees Details
- SNO-Park Pass — $40 season / $15 day. 18 SNO-PARK winter recreation areas Details
From the California state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveCalifornia
- Phone
- (800) 444-7275
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
See the park’s wording
Are dogs allowed?
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Things to do
Historic sites and toursRanger and interpretive programs
Amenities
Facilities
- Drinking water
- Visitor center
- Nature center or museum
- Parking
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Overview
A visit to the California State Mining and Mineral Museum offers the chance to explore the wealth of the Mother Lode, view minerals and gems from around the world, and experience a little bit of California's mining history adventures. This museum houses the official California State Mineral Collection, with over 13,000 minerals, rocks, gems, and historic artifacts and fossils. The museum is located at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds, 1.8 miles south of Mariposa on Highway 49. Phone (209) 742-7625 for more information.
Exhibits/Programs
The museum exhibits are accessible. A gift shop is accessible with staff available to help reach some items. Parking in the spaces designated accessible requires a 300-foot trip along an unmarked vehicular traffic path, but a drop-off option can be arranged. The entry ramp is usable. Restrooms are generally accessible.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 5005 Fairgrounds Road
Mariposa, CA 95338 - Nearest town
- Chowchilla — about 29 mi northeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 37.4648, -119.9484
- Phone
- (209) 742-7625
Entrances
- Directions point
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
Located at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds, 1.8 miles south of Mariposa on historic Highway 49. Turn left into fairgrounds.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- California State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- California State Parks Listing page (one link per unit, page_id = officialId), unioned with the CSP Enterprise GIS 'ParkEntryPoints' ArcGIS layer (coords, address, county, unit number, management status) and the 'CSPParkUnit_CurrentStatus' layer (open/partial/full closure)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology