Yosemite National Park Rafting
Yosemite River Rafting
Yosemite National Park, located just 3½ hours by car from San Francisco and Sacramento and 6 hours from Los Angeles, covers nearly 1,200 square miles and is visited by nearly 4 million visitors each year. Yosemite Valley is lined with magnificent waterfalls, including the highest waterfall in North America, the 2,425-foot-high Yosemite Falls. Giant granite formations such as El Capitan and Half Dome bookmark this iconic landscape and rock climber’s paradise. What is surprising, however, is that many of the park’s visitors only spend time in the 7 square miles of the Valley when there is so much more to discover beyond the heart of the park.
Two of the most exciting stretches of California whitewater rafting are located just outside the park’s boundaries. A river rafting trip on the Merced or Tuolumne Rivers is the perfect add-on to any Yosemite National Park adventure and offers the chance to explore a slice of this iconic wilderness away from the crowds.
The Best Whitewater Rafting Near Yosemite
A Merced River rafting trip with OARS is a classic spring whitewater experience. Typically running April through June or July, this 1-day adventure takes you down 16 miles of thrilling Class III-IV whitewater near Yosemite’s Arch Rock Entrance. If you want an amped up experience full of huge wave trains, make sure to go in early spring during peak snowmelt which typically lasts until mid-June. Later in the summer as the snowmelt subsides, the Merced mellows to a splashy, family-friendly rafting trip near Yosemite that’s fun for everyone.
Further north, near the park’s Big Oak Flat Entrance and the charming community of Groveland, OARS offers 1- to 3-day Tuolumne River rafting trips. This Wild and Scenic River crashes down from the High Sierra peaks in Yosemite to provide rafters with an 18-mile stretch of nearly non-stop, white-knuckle Class III-IV whitewater. You can experience all of the excitement on a day trip, but when you opt for a 2- or 3-day trip you’ll also have the chance to hike up to secret rock jumps and swimming holes, kick back in camp with friends and family, and sleep under the stars in a secluded river canyon away from the park crowds.
O.A.R.S. West, Inc. operates on the Tuolumne River as a permitted outfitter of the Stanislaus National Forest and on the Merced River under authorization from the Bureau of Land Management.
Find Your Perfect Trip
Yosemite Adventures
Tuolumne Whitewater Rafting 1-Day Trip
Location:
California
Adventure Level:
Moderately Challenging
Minimum Age:
14 (16 during high water)
Tuolumne River Rafting Near Yosemite National Park
Location:
California
Adventure Level:
Moderately Challenging
Minimum Age:
14 (16 during high water)
Merced River Rafting Near Yosemite National Park
Location:
California
Adventure Level:
Moderately Challenging
Minimum Age:
12 – 14 (9 at low water)
The end of May for white water on Merced is perfect. The river level is quite high, there's a good amount of big rapids, the water is more refreshing than cold, and the weather is so nice! If you've got a little spirit, this is the right choice in the Yosemite area.
Carl – 2024 OARS Merced River Guest
Yosemite National Park Rafting – Map
Is there whitewater rafting in Yosemite Valley?
There are no guided whitewater rafting trips offered in Yosemite Valley.
In the summer, when the Merced River is at lower flows and water temperatures are more welcoming, visitors are permitted to float a mellow, 3-mile stretch of the river through the Valley from Curry Village to Sentinel Beach. This is an unguided, do-it-yourself Yosemite rafting experience.
Four-person rafts, life jackets and paddles are available to rent from the Curry Village Tour & Activities Kiosk (typically July-August), or you can bring your own gear. A shuttle is available at Sentinel Beach to return paddlers back to Curry Village. If you bring your own gear, you will need to purchase a ticket for $5.75.
Do you need a reservation for Yosemite National Park if you’re rafting?
Since the meeting location for both Merced and Tuolumne River rafting trips is outside of park boundaries, you do not need a Yosemite National Park reservation. However, if you plan to visit Yosemite before or after your rafting trip, you may need a reservation. A Yosemite entrance reservation is required to drive into or through the park on weekends and holidays from mid-April through October, and daily during peak season.
When is the best time to go on a Yosemite rafting trip?
The Merced’s free-flowing waters, which are dependent solely on snowmelt, keep its season short. Whitewater rafting on the Merced River is generally limited from late April to mid-June but can extend into July depending on the preceding winter’s snowfall. Later season trips are more suitable for families and first-time rafters.
The rafting season on the Tuolumne River, which relies on both snowmelt and upstream reservoir releases, runs April through early-September. The whitewater action is consistent throughout the season, but during the Tuolumne’s high-water window when snowmelt is at its peak, paddlers can expect a more intense whitewater experience that demands a high level of physical fitness. High-water trips typically run mid-May to mid-June, but can vary widely from early-May into July.
What is the minimum age for Yosemite National Park rafting trips?
For Merced River rafting trips with OARS, the minimum age is typically 12 to 14, but kids as young as 9 can generally raft the Merced later in the season after peak flows. The minimum age for Tuolumne River rafting trips with OARS is 14, but may be increased to 16 during high water.
River ratings, other inherent risks of backcountry travel, and even an individual’s adventure threshold and activity level should be considered when deciding if a person is ready for a whitewater rafting trip.
What class whitewater rapids are there on Yosemite’s rivers?
The Merced and Tuolumne Rivers are rated on the standard scale of I-VI. River ratings and adventure levels vary by river, and even the water level or season. The whitewater rapids on the Merced and Tuolumne Rivers are generally considered Class III-IV, however at peak flows in the spring, some of the more technical rapids like Clavey Falls on the Tuolumne can be considered Class V.
What should I pack for a Yosemite whitewater rafting trip?
Packing for a 1-day whitewater rafting trip like the Merced River differs significantly from how to pack for a multi-day river trip with camping such as the Tuolumne River.
When preparing for a Yosemite National Park rafting trip be sure to consult the comprehensive packing list provided before your trip, which will make suggestions specific to the river and season when you’ll be rafting.
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