Rafting the Merced River in Yosemite National Park ~ Adventures in Southern California

Yosemite Falls view from the Merced River

One of the best things to do in Yosemite National Park during the summer is rafting down the Merced River. It's a great way to see Yosemite Valley from a completely different perspective, with incredible views of Yosemite Falls along the way. The river runs right through the middle of the valley, and much of the trip is fairly calm, making it a relaxing way to spend a couple of hours on the water. You don't need any rafting experience, but you should be comfortable paddling and swimming.

The rafting trip starts near Curry Village and follows the Merced River downstream through Yosemite Valley to Sentinel Beach. Along the way, you'll float past meadows, wooded sections of the river, and some of Yosemite's best scenery. The entire route is approximately three miles long, and you can generally expect to spend around two hours on the water, depending on the river conditions and how often you stop. There are some sections with a little faster-moving water, but this isn't whitewater rafting. It's primarily a scenic float with some paddling. Once you reach Sentinel Beach, a shuttle will take you back to Curry Village, so you don't have to worry about arranging transportation. The rafting shuttle isn’t super consistent, so I usually just drop my raft off and take the free Yosemite shuttle to my next destination.

The rafting season typically runs during the summer, but it can be shorter or longer depending on snowmelt and river flow. High or low water conditions can make the river unrunable. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, water, and clothes that you don't mind getting wet. There isn't much shade on certain sections of the river, and the sun can be pretty intense in Yosemite Valley. One of the best things about the river is that you can bring a beer or two to drink on the river if you’re 21. But don’t bring bottles. Only cans are allowed.

The best place to park is in the Curry Village lot, although the lot can fill up quickly in the morning. Try to get to the rental office early the day you want to rent a raft. They open at 8am. The rafts are first come, first served and they often sell out around 10am. They don’t take reservations.

Bringing your own kayak
Alternatively, you can also float the river if you bring your own raft. There are no age restrictions on the river if you bring your own kayak or raft. I would advise against trying to float in a round tube without a paddle. I see multiple people on every trip try to use a tube, tip over on the fast moving sections at the bridge, and lose their raft and their belongings. The best way to do it is with an inflatable kayak. Literally any brand of inflatable kayak is good enough. I love the Intex brand kayaks. I see them all the time for less than $100 on Amazon. You can deflate the kayak at the end of the river and bring it on the Yosemite shuttle with you for free as long as it fits in your lap. I bring a little rope with me and cinch it down so I can carry it like a backpack.