Best Father's Day in Yosemite and Madera County

Forget another golf shirt. Skip the doggone tie. Instead of buying something that’s a dust collector, why not give him something that will last a lifetime… a weekend road trip to Yosemite filled with priceless memories! Here are a few ideas to make Father’s Day the best in Yosemite and Madera County.

Does your Dad feel “old” or think he’s older than dirt? Show him that he’s wrong at the Fossil Discovery Center in Chowchilla. With a collection of fossils found in Madera’s backyard over 700,000 years old, he’ll feel like a young whippersnapper. Talk about a perfect family outing.

A high-pitched whistle, the sudden jerk of the heavy iron body as it begins to move forward, and white steam billowing from the chimney. No matter a person’s age, nothing brings out the kid in you more than a steam locomotive. Experience this in person at the world-famous Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad and take a ride through history.

Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning "The Park.” At over 1,169 square miles to explore, it makes sense to bring the “mountain man” Dad for a great outdoor experience. From pitching a tent in one of the many campgrounds to hiking up to Half Dome or gazing at one of the many waterfalls, it will be a trip he won’t forget.  One quick note - we love spontaneity as much as anyone else. Still, if the camping or hiking Half Dome ideas are potentially part of your adventure plans, we encourage you to head to Recreation.gov to check on campsite availability. Make reservations and grab a permit for the cables before coming.  

As you can see, many fun things are going on in Yosemite and Madera Country around Father's Day. Give that special Dad in your life a change of scenery, a dash of outdoor time, and, of course, some good old-fashioned fun!

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