California State Mining and Mineral Museum

The California State Mining and Mineral Museum in Mariposa County displays more than 13,000 specimens including minerals, rocks, gems, fossils, and mining-related objects across its gallery spaces. The collection draws from California and locations around the world, offering a broad overview of what miners and geologists have discovered.

The collection started in 1880 with the California State Mining Bureau and was originally housed at the Ferry Building in San Francisco. The museum relocated to its current location in Mariposa in 1986 and has remained there since.

The museum reflects California's deep connection to mining through its displays and helps visitors understand how important these resources have been to the region's identity. You can see how this history shaped the way people lived and worked in California.

The facility is wheelchair accessible and managed by California State Parks, with current hours listed on their official website. Plan to spend several hours exploring the extensive mineral collection at a comfortable pace.

The museum houses the Fricot Nugget, a gold specimen from the Gold Rush era that impresses visitors with its size and shows the wealth that miners sought in California. This single piece demonstrates the rich gold deposits that prospectors discovered in the region.

Location: Mariposa County

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Operator: California State Parks

Opening Hours: url:http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=588

GPS coordinates: 37.46483,-119.94820

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:30