Fish Camp, CA
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
Trip at a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-14- TypeFamily-run narrow-gauge logging-railroad excursions near Yosemite's South Entrance
- LocationFish Camp, CA
- Rating4.7 ★1,958 Google reviews
- UpcomingSat, Sep 26
About Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad is a family-run narrow-gauge heritage railroad on Highway 41 near Yosemite National Park's South Entrance. Its core Logger Steam Train is a narrated one-hour round trip over more than four miles of the former Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Company right-of-way, with a brief Lewis Creek Canyon stop. Open and enclosed cars can appear in the consist, and the steep, forested route is worked by historic geared steam equipment when operations allow. The railroad also markets Jenny railcar trips and distinct evening, music, Halloween, and holiday products; they are not interchangeable with the regular daytime ride. Start with the exact booking-calendar entry, arrive early, and keep the railroad day separate from Yosemite's entrance fee, parking, shuttle, road, and weather conditions. The official site bars unapproved reuse of its photographs, so this guide uses only independently licensed images with visible provenance.
Choose the Ride Before You Build the Yosemite Day
Choose the visit that fits your groupFirst-time riders, families, steam fans, photographers, and Yosemite travelers wanting the essential railroad experience
Start with the one-hour Logger Steam Train
Use the live calendar to choose the core narrated forest excursion, then plan around its actual departure time instead of a generic daily schedule.
Couples, music visitors, repeat riders, holiday travelers, and groups prepared for a longer or later visit
Treat each evening product as its own trip
Moonlight, Jazz, Halloween, and Holiday Magic differ in duration, food, entertainment, arrival time, and price. Read the exact product before combining it with a park day.
Rail-history visitors, children, multigenerational groups, and anyone who wants context beyond the train ride
Add the onsite Thornberry Museum
Use the separate local guide to understand the historic cabin, logging exhibits, gold-panning option, contact details, and what must be booked or checked independently.
First-time Yosemite visitors, walkers, families, photographers, and travelers using the Highway 41 entrance
Pair the train with Mariposa Grove
Build in a separate Yosemite entry, parking, shuttle, and walking plan for the giant sequoias; never squeeze the grove between close train times.
History travelers, railfans, families, architecture visitors, and guests with enough time for a separate Wawona stop
Follow transportation history into Wawona
The Yosemite History Center's stagecoaches, covered bridge, and relocated buildings extend the train's logging story into the park's early visitor-transportation era.
Upcoming Events
Official schedule information
2026 special-event calendar
Schedule information was checked against the linked official source. Dates, availability, and operating conditions can change. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- SeasonThe live 2026 Logger calendar currently publishes daily dates through November 29 except Thanksgiving. December inventory is the separate Holiday Magic product; a current ticket remains the final authority
- ArriveAdvance reservations are strongly recommended. For daytime walk-up sales, the operator advises arriving about 30 minutes before departure, but availability is not guaranteed
- AccessibilityThe operator says its train rides are wheelchair accessible and publishes a mobile lift with a 600-pound limit. Contact the railroad before travel about chair dimensions, transfer needs, companions, and the exact product
- WeatherMountain weather, smoke, fire response, snow, and equipment conditions can affect service. Check operator alerts and Yosemite road conditions again before driving
- DepartureAll public products in this guide use the railroad at 56001 California 41 in Fish Camp. Follow the product confirmation for check-in and boarding rather than relying on a map pin alone
- Regular TripThe Logger Steam Train is a narrated one-hour round trip over more than four miles, including a brief stop at Lewis Creek Canyon before returning on the same historic logging grade
- EquipmentHistoric motive power, consist, and operating times can change. Never plan around a guaranteed Shay, Jenny railcar, open car, or specific passenger-car assignment
- Restrooms And FoodThe grounds include restrooms, a snack bar, picnic area, gift and book shopping, and the Thornberry Museum. Outside food and nonalcoholic drinks are allowed; alcohol must be purchased onsite
- DogsFriendly dogs are allowed when leashed. Confirm the rule for the exact special event, plan for noise and heat, and keep the animal under control around crowds and working equipment
- RefundsThe published policy offers a full refund at least 48 hours before the activity. Inside 48 hours, tickets are normally nonrefundable without trip protection; other rebooking fees and conditions can apply
- Yosemite ConnectionA railroad ticket does not include Yosemite National Park entry, parking, or shuttle access. In 2026 the park says an entry reservation is not required, but the entrance fee and current conditions still apply
- ContactFor current operating, accessibility, group, or weather questions, call 559-683-7273 or email info@ymsprr.com
Find the Depot
The Trains
The official roster currently presents two three-truck Shay locomotives. No. 10 was built by Lima in 1928 and is listed by the roster at 81.6 tons; No. 15 was built in 1913 and is listed at 59 tons. Geared Shays were designed for the sharp curves, rough track, and steep grades of timber railroads, making the visible side-mounted cylinders and drive shafts part of the interpretation rather than decoration. The railroad also operates open-sided Jenny railcars developed from Ford Model A automobile components, but the FAQ describes their timing as variable—typically around the first or last steam departures—rather than a stand-alone daily promise. Passenger equipment can include open and enclosed cars. Because this is working historic machinery, the selected date and the crew's operating decision control the actual locomotive and consist.
History
Lima built three-truck Shay No. 15 for the Sierra Nevada Wood and Lumber Company.
Lima built Shay No. 10, the larger of the two locomotives on the railroad's current official roster.
Rudy Stauffer purchased No. 10 and equipment that would anchor the visitor railroad.
The family operation carried its first public passengers over restored Madera Sugar Pine right-of-way.
Max Stauffer took over operation of the railroad.
The railroad acquired No. 15, adding the second Shay on its current roster.
See full history
The visitor railroad interprets the Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Company's mountain operation, which once used more than 140 miles of narrow-gauge track and a 54-mile flume to move lumber toward Madera. Rudy Stauffer purchased No. 10 and related equipment in 1965, and the first public train ran in 1967 over a re-laid portion of the former logging grade. Max Stauffer took over the operation in 1981, and the family acquired No. 15 in 1986. The current excursion uses about two miles of track for a journey of more than four miles out and back. The onsite Thornberry cabin and museum add human and industrial context to the locomotives, while the working train makes clear that the attraction is a present-day public ride rather than only a static logging display.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad ride?
The regular Logger Steam Train is a narrated one-hour round trip over more than four miles, including a brief Lewis Creek Canyon stop. Evening and seasonal products last longer and use their own schedules.
Does the train run every day?
The live 2026 Logger calendar currently publishes daily dates through November 29 except Thanksgiving, with times varying by day. Holiday Magic is a separate selected-date product. Your dated ticket is the final authority.
Will my train use Shay No. 10 or No. 15?
Do not assume a specific locomotive. The official roster presents both Shays, but historic-equipment and operating conditions determine the actual assignment.
Is the railroad wheelchair accessible?
The operator says its rides are accessible and publishes a mobile lift with a 600-pound limit. Contact the railroad before booking to confirm the chair, transfer, companion, and product-specific arrangement.
Can I bring a dog or picnic?
The current FAQ allows friendly leashed dogs and outside food or nonalcoholic drinks. Alcohol must be purchased onsite. Confirm special-event restrictions and plan for weather, crowds, and train noise.
Is Yosemite National Park included with the train?
No. The railroad is outside the park. Park entry fees, parking, shuttles, road conditions, and any park requirements are separate from the train ticket.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 14, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official home page and current operating overview
- Official tour catalog and Logger Steam Train details
- Official visitor FAQ, policies, access, dogs, and facilities
- Official locomotive and Jenny railcar roster
- Official family and logging-railroad history
- Official address, phone, email, and directions
- Official onsite museum, gold panning, food, and shopping
- Official live FareHarbor calendar used for exact 2026 dates
