California State Mining and Mineral Museum in California, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-11-01. Check linked official notices before travel.

California State Mining and Mineral Museum Park Property, managed by California State Parks, is an indoor museum at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds in California. Its state mineral collection pairs gems and crystalline gold with mining artifacts. The interpreted mine tunnel and working scale stamp mill help explain how miners extracted gold.

Highlights

Explore the official California State Mineral Collection, with specimens from California and around the world. The mine tunnel interprets gold mining in the mid-1800s, while the assay office and stamp mill model explain the work behind the display cases. Rotating displays add variety to the permanent collection.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Arrival and parking safety

The designated accessible parking spaces require a 300-foot trip along an unmarked vehicle traffic path. A drop-off option can be arranged. Contact the museum before arrival if that approach would be difficult, and use the official accessibility description to plan your entry.

Museum visits

Dogs are not allowed at the museum. Plan around an indoor collection and interpreted exhibits rather than treating this museum property as an outdoor mine to explore.

Group and school visits

Teachers and youth groups can call about free educational programs. The museum also arranges custom tours for special groups. Contact staff to discuss the program and timing for your group.

Maps, location, and access

The museum is at 5005 Fairgrounds Road in the Mariposa County Fairgrounds, 1.8 miles south of Mariposa on Highway 49. Use the fairgrounds approach when navigating. The museum’s P.O. box is its mailing address, not a road entrance.

Nearby parks by road

Wassama Round House State Historic Park is off Highway 49 at Road 628 in Ahwahnee, five miles northwest of Oakhurst. Call ahead for its visiting hours. Yosemite National Park is another regional road option via Highway 140 and the Arch Rock entrance. Check mountain road conditions before extending the trip into Yosemite.

Things to do

Use the official museum brochure and floor plan to orient yourself. Compare mineral specimens, then follow the mining story through the tunnel, assay office and stamp mill model. Families can ask about the museum’s educational activities. A focused visit can connect the objects in the cases with the extraction and processing methods that produced them.

Facilities and accessibility

The exhibits and gift shop are accessible, and staff can help reach shop items. The entrance ramp is usable and restrooms are generally accessible. Discuss the parking approach or an arranged drop-off with staff if you need assistance.

About the museum

The museum combines natural specimens with the tools and processes of California mining. Its collection includes minerals, rocks, gems, historic artifacts and fossils.

Collection history

The state collection began in 1880 and now contains more than 13,000 objects. The museum uses that collection to interpret California’s mineral resources and mining history.

Contact

Call 209-742-7625 or email [email protected]. The California State Parks museum page lists current visitor information. Mailing address: P.O. Box 1192, Mariposa, CA 95338. The visitor location is the Mariposa County Fairgrounds on Highway 49.