Merced

1) Stables to El Capitan Meadow(Yosemite Valley)

Difficulty	I
Length	5.8 mi
Avg Gradient	2 fpm
Permit	As of 2015, the park service is not yet requiring special use permits to boat other sections of the Merced in the park.
Gauge	Merced R a Happy Isles Bridge Nr Yosemite Ca
Flow Rate as of 1 hour	681 cfsrunnable
Reach Info Last Updated	May 26, 2025

Projects

Yosemite NP Right to Float (CA)

On Friday, April 24, 2015 the Merced River in Yosemite National Park was officially reopened to paddlers. This reopening was the culmination of seven years of sustained engagement by American Whitewater with the National Park Service and other stakeholders in this process. Allowing paddling was a tiny, yet important [...]Read More

River Description

Floating the Merced River in Yosemite Valley

In 2014, Yosemite National Park released its Final Merced Wild and Scenic Comprehensive River Management Plan, bringing paddling on the Merced River on equal footing with hiking, climbing and other activities. River segments are considered to be “water trails,” akin to other backcountry routes. Depending on the reach, boaters will be required to secure a backcountry permit or self-register before putting on the river. For the Merced in Yosemite Valley, currently, Yosemite National Park does not require permits for private boaters to paddle or row the recreational sections of the Merced River. However, they will monitor use and associated impacts and may, at a later date, implement a more formal permit system.

It is important for paddlers, and any other visitors to Yosemite Valley, to recognize that this Park receives over 4 million visitors per year. Any impact from an individual, no matter how small, can become significant when multiplied by the number of visitors that come to Yosemite Valley. As on every river, paddlers are responsible for protecting and respecting the natural environment within the Park, and can set a good example of how to recreate on the river and, more generally, throughout the Park.

Aside from the obvious recommendation to exhibit good safe boating practices while on the river, paddlers should also adhere to the following rules and recommendations when paddling through Yosemite Valley:

Use only designated put in and take out areas. Currently these areas include, Clarks Bridge, the El Cap cross over Bridge, and between Pohono Bridge and the Highway 120/ 140 Junction.

If you stop on the river, only use un-vegetated bars and beaches.

Large woody debris (trees) in the river will remain in place as part of the natural ecosystem. If you need to portage, do so in a manner that minimizes any bank erosion.

Restrooms within walking distance of the

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River Features

Stables Bridge

Distance: 0 mi

Access Point

Boat launching is no longer allowed at this location or anywhere above Stoneman Bridge. The river below here is swiftwater with riffles and numerous logs. The logs are easily recognized and avoided (usually) by boaters with river experience and boat control. Because of the streamside campgrounds, floaters do continue to launch in this area, despite signs prohibiting floating. It is also common for the park service to rescue inexperienced floaters from a couple spots where they are prone to washing into logs. Park naturalists and biologists want logs to accumulate in the river in a natural fashion as they create habitat and have many ecological benefits. Where floaters are common and get in trouble on particular logs, those logs are usually removed or moved. Thus there is some conflict between the natural ecosystem and river recreation where novices float down the river. Yosemite has chosen to limit the section where floaters are allowed on the river, so that logs and woody debris can naturally accumulate on the other sections of the river.

Stoneman Bridge

Distance: 0.7 mi (approx.)

Stoneman Bridge is the highest legal launch point in recent years, (2010). Nearby parking and unloading areas can be difficult to find. The Curry consession raft rentals all launch on the downstream side of the bridge on river left. The park river biologists prefer for boaters to launch on the river right, downstream side of the bridge where there is a more gradual slope down to the river.

Sentinal Beach Picnic Area

Distance: 3.27 mi

Take Out

This is the mandatory take out for Curry Company rafts and for floaters without whitewater equipment. During rafting season, a rope with buoys will be strung across the river. Large signs direct boaters to take out at the large beach on the left. Curry Company employees make sure that all rental rafts and other floaters take out here.