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Merced RIver
Yosemite Valley's Wild and Scenic River — swim, float, and fish it right.
About
The Merced River is the ribbon of water running the length of Yosemite Valley, dropping over Vernal and Nevada Falls before slowing into wide, clear pools beneath El Capitan and Half Dome. It's the valley's summer gathering spot — swimming beaches, rented rafts, and shaded picnic banks built right along its banks — and it's also part of why the park exists in its current form: 122 miles of the Merced's mainstem and forks were designated a National Wild and Scenic River in 1987, a protection that keeps it free of dams and heavy development.
Swimming and Floating
Once spring runoff eases, usually by midsummer, the current on the valley floor slows enough for casual swimming. Sentinel Beach and Cathedral Beach are the valley's best-known swim spots, with sandy shoreline and views straight up at the granite walls above. Curry Village typically runs seasonal raft rentals in June and July, launching near the village for a float downstream toward Sentinel Beach; life jackets are required for renters.
Fishing
The river's Wild and Scenic status comes with its own rules: anglers may keep fish 12 inches or larger, and only on artificial lures with barbless hooks. Check current park regulations before you head out, since seasons and zones can shift.
Respect the Current
The Merced looks calmer than it is. Flows run fastest and coldest during spring snowmelt (water temperatures typically sit in the 40s and 50s°F), and the river has a real history of drownings in Yosemite, especially near the top of waterfalls and in narrow, fast-moving stretches. Stay out of the water above Vernal and Nevada Falls, and don't wade anywhere the current is strong enough to push you off your feet — it only gets stronger downstream.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is it safe to swim in the Merced River in Yosemite Valley?
Generally from midsummer through early fall, once spring snowmelt has passed and the current has slowed in the valley's flatter stretches. Spring flows are too fast and too cold for casual swimming.
Where can I rent a raft on the Merced River?
Curry Village typically runs seasonal raft rentals in June and July, depending on water levels, for a float downstream toward Sentinel Beach. Life jackets are required for everyone in a rented raft.
Is the Merced River dangerous?
It can be. Currents run strongest near waterfalls and during high spring flow, and Yosemite has a real history of drowning incidents on the river. Avoid swimming above Vernal and Nevada Falls, where the current feeds directly into the drop.
What does the Merced's Wild and Scenic River status mean?
122 miles of the Merced's mainstem and forks were designated a National Wild and Scenic River in 1987, a federal protection that keeps the river free of dams and limits development along its banks.
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