You do not have to leave living sustainably to Earth Day. Exploring Tuolumne County in an earth friendly way can happen year-round. Just by stepping outside in Tuolumne County it’s clear how important it is to preserve the amazing beauty and natural resources our planet has to offer. Every small step counts and by building on that little by little, we can all help to support the earth we call home.
The most sustainable option is to stretch your legs and take the towns of Tuolumne County on foot. Bikes are also available to rent from Yosemite Adventure Supplies and Echo Adventure Cooperative in Groveland. The easiest, most eco-friendly, and cheapest way to get to Yosemite from Tuolumne County is YARTS. With your bus ticket including entry to the park, ride YARTS from mid-May to mid-September to sit back and enjoy the journey to Yosemite National Park. The biggest perk of YARTS is that there is no Yosemite day-use reservation needed to enter, your YARTS tickets counts as entry to the park!
Since staying on the earth is a necessity, these accommodations are helping to protect the planet while giving you the best possible experience. Rush Creek Lodge along with Evergreen Lodge are committed to achieving social and environmental goals as part of their business model. Both use energy conservation with resources like solar heating, grey water recycling, and eco-friendly cleaning products. Looking to get off the grid? Stay at any of Tuolumne County’s beautiful campgrounds. As long as you trek out your trash and maintain fire safety standards, you can really be one with nature and appreciate its majestic beauty off the beaten path.
An easy rule of thumb to eating sustainably is to try locally grown products and focus on waste reduction. Many local businesses in Tuolumne County use seasonal and locally grown produce in their dishes. While Farmers Markets are scattered throughout Tuolumne County in the late spring and summer seasons, The new Railtown Market in Jamestown is open year-round so you can grab some of your favorite homegrown and organic products. Purchase homemade kombucha or grab some trail mix to bring with you on your journey into the High Sierra. Mountain Sage Coffee and Nursery creates all their baked goods and syrups in-house using locally sourced ingredients. The Standard Pour sources local ingredients like locally raised meats.
Indigeny Reserve in Sonora offers organic hard and regular ciders and spirits. Pack a picnic and relax in the apple orchards while enjoying the bounty of fruit. Opened in 2021, Bear Tent Brewing Co in Jamestown has locally brewed beer many of which are made from ingredients of the Sierra like juniper berries.
A great way to limit your carbon footprint way in your daily life is by purchasing items that have been made by the community, rather than having the cost of goods being shipped all over the world. There are many thrift shops throughout Tuolumne County. A must stop for any visitor is Local Collective. A shop celebrating local makers you can find everything from locally roasted coffee to handmade gifts. Yosemite Adventure Supplies provides rentals for all your adventure needs from snowshoes to camping gear. That way you can get into the great outdoors while protecting it. Seven Sisters Soap & Candle Co. in Columbia State Historic Park is the place to create the soaps and candles of your dreams without any harsh chemicals and with locally based ingredients.
One of the best ways to celebrate the planet is to get out and explore it. The certificated B corporation, ECHO Adventure Cooperative, is committed to sustainable exploration. Their many outings are fun for you and the earth; try fly-fishing, guided hiking, backpacking, and sightseeing in Yosemite from trained guides who want to leave the world better than they found it. Get some exercise on one of Tuolumne's plentiful hiking trails, like Dragoon Gulch, which provides stunning views of Sonora. See Yosemite from a different view and have some peaceful time bird watching at Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.
Thank you for traveling responsibly in Tuolumne County. Tuolumne County is too cool to trash.
