Mariposa Recreation Area is a 151-acre outdoor recreation area located northeast of Newton. It includes an 18-acre lake among the hills covered with pine trees, a ½ mile nature trail, and a children's nature playscape.
There is a primitive camping area as well as Bison Ridge Campground, a modern campground with 15 water and electric campsites with a dump station and a shower house. Bison Ridge includes Coneflower Cottage, built in 2024. The cottage sleeps 7 and overlooks Mariposa Lake.