California State Mining & Mineral Museum - Mariposa, California

Address: 5005 Fairgrounds Rd, Mariposa, CA 95338.
Phone: 2097427625.
Website: parks.ca.gov.
Specialties: Natural history museum, Tourist attraction.
Other points of interest: Onsite services, Wheelchair accessible entrance, Wheelchair accessible parking lot, Wheelchair accessible restroom, Restroom, Restaurant, Good for kids, Free parking lot.
Opinions: This company has 296 reviews on Google My Business.
Average opinion: 4.6/5.

Location of California State Mining & Mineral Museum

2097427625

The California State Mining & Mineral Museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in natural history and tourism. Located at 5005 Fairgrounds Rd, Mariposa, CA 95338, this museum showcases a vast collection of mining artifacts, minerals, and gemstones from California and around the world.

The museum offers a unique and educational experience, showcasing the history of mining and its impact on California's growth and development. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits, learn about the different types of minerals and gemstones, and even see a working model of a stamp mill.

One of the museum's most notable displays is the Fricot Nugget, a 13-pound piece of crystalline gold that was discovered in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in 1864. The museum also features a variety of other rare and valuable minerals, including a collection of fluorescent minerals that glow under ultraviolet light.

The California State Mining & Mineral Museum is wheelchair accessible, with a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, and restroom. They also offer onsite services, restrooms, and a restaurant, making it a convenient and comfortable destination for visitors of all ages.

The museum is also a great option for families, with exhibits and activities that are fun and educational for kids. Plus, parking is free, making it an affordable option for a day out.

According to Google My Business, the museum has an impressive average rating of 4.6/5 from 296 reviews. Visitors rave about the museum's extensive collection, knowledgeable staff, and interactive exhibits.

Reviews of California State Mining & Mineral Museum

California State Mining & Mineral Museum - Mariposa, California

Andrea K

5/5

Wonderful little museum showcasing the history of California mining and abundance of mineral deposits of the state. $4 in November 2023 is well worth this quick stop to stretch your legs and expand your brain. Kids under 12 go in for free.

Located within the Mariposa Fairegrounds, there is ample parking right outside the main gate. There are bathrooms inside and outside the museum.

NO photography allowed.

The mineral collection here is quite impressive and includes some donated items from around the globe. The highlight comes from a gold rush Era find. A GORGEOUS looking gold nugget is kept in their vault. It was never smelted due to its beautiful shape.

You can also explore a 175 ft long replica of a mineshaft. It is dark, damp, and a bit musky in there, so don't go if you suffer from claustrophobia. It does not get to a point where you need to duck or squeeze through. I am 5'10 and had no issues.

Lei Chen

5/5

Nice cute museum with a lot of rocks and gems.

Arsh Singh

5/5

Great staff and displays. Must not miss the Gold Vault and the meteorites on display. Went with my kids, who enjoyed it too. It’s a small one so it was a brief visit of 20 mins or so. Good time for toddler and young kids.

lene Spencer

5/5

This "gem" is tucked inside the Mariposa fairgrounds. It contains many beautiful stones and different tools for the historical past.
You're not allowed to photograph however the beauty of the minerals are encased in your mind by each distinguishing characteristic.

J. Huang

5/5

It’s well worth a visit if you have school-age children, and it’s a great way to help them understand the history of mining, gold mining, and immigration in California.

Stacey

5/5

What a wonderful museum full of nice specimens from all over. I especially loved seeing all that California had to offer as well as locally found. Carlos was knowledgeable ,very helpful & friendly all around.

bartellj

5/5

Fun little stop! This is the official California State collection of rocks, gemstones and minerals. Great displays and they even have a mine you can walk through!

Dennis Gavrilenko

5/5

Wonderful museum about the history of mining in California! They have a vault with gold nuggets, including the ~14 pound Fricot Nugget. You can see lots of different minerals and gems, including the state gemstone of California. They also have original land claim maps from the time of Mexican occupation of the California area. They also have a long model mining tunnel, where it is even damp and can see model miners! Highly recommend visiting this museum 🙂

Admission is $4 per adult and is free for kids 12 and under.