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RAFTING/PADDLING IN YOSEMITE PARK
First formed by the actions of mighty glaciers, Yosemite's astonishing scenery is also the result of many millennia of the weathering actions of wind and water. Today, rivers and lakes are some of the park's biggest attractions, especially for swimmers and paddlers of canoes and kayaks. For thrilling white-water action, venture outside the park boundaries, especially along the mighty Merced River.
Wherever you go play in the water, remember to drink plenty of water and slap on the sunscreen. Wearing a T-shirt, shorts, and river sandals with good traction should also help make your experience an enjoyable one. Consider leaving your digital camera behind in your car or hotel room and buy a waterproof disposable camera instead.
Merced River
The Merced River carves its own waterways through Yosemite National Park, including in the Yosemite Valley and around Wawona. Depending on what time of year you visit, the river might be a frozen ice floe, a babbling stream, or a wild beast flooding campsites and picnic areas!
During early summer (usually in June and July), the Merced River is calm enough in the Yosemite Valley for families to blissfully float along in inflatable rafts.
Rafts can be rented from the park concessionaire at Curry Village. It's a three-mile float downstream to the Sentinel Beach picnic area, and your rental fee includes a shuttle ride back to the starting point.
Kayakers and canoers are also welcome to navigate this stretch of the Merced River starting from Stoneman Bridge between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. as water levels allow. All rafters and paddlers should only put in and take out on sandy beaches and gravel bars, to protect important riparian habitats beside the river.
Outside the park boundaries, the Merced River offers some challenging white-water rafting with Class II-IV+ rapids. Several local outdoor outfitters offer guided day and overnight white-water rafting and camping trips during the river-running season (usually from April into July), with some trips for adventurous novices and children. The most popular put-in points are Red Bud picnic area and the town of Briceburg, both west of the park along Highway 140.
Tenaya Lake
Although many visitors don't know it, you can paddle across glistening Tenaya Lake in the Sierra Nevada high country, off Tioga Road. Its azure waters surrounded by lofty granite peaks and evergreen conifer trees provide all the photogenic beauty for free. Kayaks are recommended for this trip, although the National Park Service (NPS) allows any non-motorized boats on the lake. As elsewhere around the park, be careful not to cut through grassy meadows (walk around them instead) and avoid trampling fragile riparian areas near the lakeshore.
Always launch watercraft from sandy beaches or gravel bars, to protect the natural habitat.
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