South Fork Merced Trail

The South Fork Merced Trail is a 14-mile backcountry route through Sierra National Forest that follows the South Fork Merced River corridor from a forest trailhead near Fish Camp to Yosemite National Park's southern boundary. It's built for hikers and backpackers who want river-corridor scenery without the crowds on the park's front-country trails — a long day hike or an easy overnight for anyone comfortable on a primitive, lightly trafficked trail.

What to Expect

Managed by the Bass Lake Ranger District, the trail (Forest Service #21E01) starts at the 3S02 OHV route and runs roughly 14.1 miles to the Yosemite boundary, tracing the river through mixed conifer forest on national forest land. Expect a dirt-surface trail with minimal signage and no facilities — pack in everything you need, including a way to treat water, since the corridor runs well outside cell coverage for most of its length. The route is designated for hiking and backpacking only.

Permits and Access

• Day hiking on the Sierra National Forest section requires no permit.
• If your route continues into Yosemite's wilderness overnight, you'll need a valid wilderness permit and a bear canister — required park-wide, year-round.
• Fish Camp is the closest town for gas, food, and lodging before or after the hike.
• Check current trail conditions with the Bass Lake Ranger District (559-877-2218) before heading out — this river corridor has seen active restoration work in recent years.