Fish Camp, California
Fish Camp is a census-designated place in Mariposa County, California, United States. It is located east of Mariposa at an elevation of. The population was 49 at the 2020 census. The ZIP Code is 93623, and the community lies within area code 559.
Fish Camp developed in the 19th century as a logging settlement and later became a stopover for Yosemite-bound travelers. Today, it is primarily a tourist community, home to attractions such as the historic Sugar Pine Railroad">Sugar Pine, California">Sugar Pine Railroad and the Tenaya Lodge.
The Fish Camp post office opened in 1924, closed in 1933, and re-opened in 1939. The community’s name originated from a fish hatchery once located at the site.
Geography
Fish Camp is on California State Route 41, just south of the entrance to Yosemite National Park, and north of Oakhurst. It is the site of the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, a heritage tourist line, and Tenaya Lodge, a resort owned by Delaware North. Approximately one mile north of the community is the Summerdale campground, the original location of Fish Camp.According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP covers an area of, of which, or 0.50%, are water. The community is in the valley of Big Creek, which flows north into Yosemite National Park, where it joins the South Fork of the Merced River near Wawona.
Climate
This region experiences warm and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Fish Camp has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps. Fish Camp, located around a mile above sea level, is renowned for its seasonal snowfall, frequently indicating the region's snow line. Nearby, the Goat Meadow Snowplay Area in the Sierra National Forest, just north of Fish Camp, attracts visitors for sledding and cross-country skiing.Ecology
Fish Camp lies within the Sierra National Forest and supports several species classified with Federal Special Status. Avian species documented in the area include the California spotted owl, great gray owl, and northern goshawk. Nocturnal bat species such as the pallid bat, Townsend’s big-eared bat, and western red bat are also present. Terrestrial mammals recorded near Fish Camp include the Sierra Nevada red fox, American marten, and Pacific fisher.History
In the latter half of the 19th century, Fish Camp, located near Yosemite Valley, developed significantly due to various economic activities. The town's growth was driven by the logging industry and later, tourists bound for Yosemite.Stagecoach Era
Fish Camp's history begins with the opening of the Wawona stagecoach road to Yosemite Valley in 1875. It became a vital traveler's stop, and a target for stage robbers.Logging
The first permanent settlement in Fish Camp developed around the logging industry.The Madera Sugar Pine Company established operations in the late 19th century to supply lumber for California’s growing construction demands. Logging reshaped the surrounding landscape and left open pastures later used by sheepherders.
During this period, the community was also called “Happy Camp,” a name linked to a red-light district south of the present town that served loggers and mill workers from nearby Sugar Pine.
During the Prohibition era, bootleggers supplied alcohol to meet demand from the logging camps.
Lodging and hospitality
Fish Camp has functioned as a stopover for Yosemite travelers since the late 19th century.In 1883, Albert Phillip built a two-story hotel with twelve bedrooms, a kitchen, dining room, and parlor. Phillip also operated a freight service between Raymond and Yosemite Valley and hauled ore from the nearby Star Mine to North Fork.
In 1925, Charles Beery acquired the property and developed Beery’s Paradise Lodge. The lodge was damaged by multiple fires, the last in 1942, after which the site was sold to the H.J. Baker Real Estate Company. The company built the Silver Tip Lodge in 1943. The Silver Tip operated for 35 years and was noted for community events such as annual turkey shoots and bear barbecues. The lodge was destroyed by arson in 1981.
In 1990, Marriott International opened the Tenaya Lodge, a 242-room resort. The property is now operated by Delaware North.
Demographics
Fish Camp first appeared as a census-designated place in the 2010 United States census.The 2020 United States census reported that Fish Camp had a population of 49. The population density was. The population was 44 Non-Hispanic White and 5 Hispanic or Latino. The median age was 55.6years.
There were 29 households, of which 10 were families and 13 were one person living alone.
There were 154 housing units at an average density of, of which 29 were occupied. Of these, 9 were owner-occupied, and 20 were occupied by renters.