Merced River 1-Day Trip
- 1 Day
- Advanced, Adventurous First Timer, Intermediate
- 14+ years
- From $160
Merced River Rafting
Merced River Rafting
Experience the thrill of Merced River whitewater rafting, an exhilarating way to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Yosemite area. Just 3.5 hours from the Bay Area and 6 hours from Southern California, our one-day Merced River rafting adventure combines heart-pounding rapids with awe-inspiring scenery.
With Yosemite’s main entrance only 40 minutes away, your Merced River rafting trip is the perfect lead-up to a day in the park. Explore Yosemite on your own the next day to catch its waterfalls at their most spectacular, thundering down in breathtaking displays of nature’s power.
Start with rafting the Merced River and then let the magic of Yosemite complete your journey!
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Intermediate
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1 Day
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Group Discounts Available
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14+ Years
Merced River Rafting Trips
Merced River Whitewater Rafting Experience
More Information
Trip Highlights
Rafting Season
April through Early-June: Spring is the prime season for Merced River rafting, when melting Yosemite mountain snows create nearly continuous rapids. This exhilarating stretch of river is accompanied by a vibrant bloom of wildflowers carpeting the Merced River’s broad canyon floor. Patches of lupine, redbud, and California poppies transform the rugged landscape into a breathtaking display of color. As John Muir aptly described, this is a place “where the snow is melting into music,” offering an unforgettable journey through central California’s untamed wilderness.
Experience Level
The Merced rafting trip is a demanding adventure. We recommend it for experienced rafters or adventurous first-timers who are up for a challenge. All participants must be in excellent physical condition.
Rapids
- 3.5 miles of non-stop rapids starting at the Red Bud Picnic site (water level permitting)
- “Nightmare Island”: big left turn in the river through some super fun drops and waves
- “Grand Slam”: stay away from the right wall
- “Ned’s Gulch”: a classic staircase rapid with eddy at the end for re-grouping
- “Split Rock”: a 200-yard maelstrom of a rapid that even gives the guides a few butterflies
- “Corner Pocket”: a very sharp right turn in the river
Group Discounts
Applied automatically at checkout (except for the returning guest discount), our group discounts for rafting the Merced River are some of the best around!
- 20% discount for returning guests
- 10% discount for 6+ people
- 15% discount for 12+ people
- 20% discount for 24+ people
Customizable Rafting
Like all of our whitewater rafting experiences, our Merced River rafting trips are customizable according to the needs of your group.
Do you have accessibility requests or specific trip objectives?
Call us at 530-888-6515 to discuss how we can create a spectacular Merced river rafting experience for your group.
Merced River Rafting Map
Download Your Trip Information
Merced River Trip Information PDF Download
Check-In Times
Merced River 1-Day
- 8:30 AM
Please be on time. We only wait a short time for late arrivals.
Directions
Address
We meet in Midpines, CA, just past the Mountain View grocery store.
Driving Times / Distances
- San Francisco: 180 mi/ 3.5 hrs
- San Jose: 165 mi/ 3 hrs
- Sacramento: 150 mi/ 3 hrs
- Los Angeles: 310 mi/ 5.5 hrs
- Merced: 50 mi/ 1 hr
- Mariposa: 7 mi/ 10 min
- Yosemite National Park: 35 mi/ 45 min
Directions from San Francisco/ San Jose Bay Area
- Drive to Highway 99 to Manteca (from I-880 S, I-580 E, I-205)
- Take Hwy 99 South to the town of Merced
- Exit Hwy 140 East towards Mariposa/Yosemite National Park
- Follow Hwy 140 through the town of Mariposa
- Seven miles past Mariposa is the town of Midpines
- Look for the Mountain View Grocery Store on the right
- Just past the Mountain View grocery store, on the LEFT SIDE of Hwy 140, is our meeting area. Look for the WWE vans.
Directions from Sacramento
- Take Hwy 99 South to the town of Merced
- Exit Hwy 140 East towards Mariposa/Yosemite National Park
- Follow Hwy 140 through the town of Mariposa
- Seven miles past Mariposa is the town of Midpines
- Look for the Mountain View Grocery Store on the right
- Just past the Mountain View grocery store, on the LEFT SIDE of Hwy 140, is our meeting area. Look for the WWE vans.
Directions from Southern California
- Take Hwy 99 North to the town of Merced
- Exit Hwy 140 East towards Mariposa/Yosemite National Park
- Follow Hwy 140 through the town of Mariposa
- Seven miles past Mariposa is the town of Midpines
- Look for the Mountain View Grocery Store on the right
- Just past the Mountain View grocery store, on the LEFT SIDE of Hwy 140, is our meeting area. Look for the WWE vans.
What To Bring
What Is Provided
- Expert, professional guides to ensure a safe and memorable adventure.
- Top-quality gear, including inflatable rafts, paddles, helmets, and personal flotation devices (PFDs).
- Wetsuits and splash jackets are provided for spring trips as needed.
- Convenient transportation to and from the river.
- Refreshing drinks and snacks to wrap up your trip.
What To Bring
- River clothing – very casual clothing you should expect to get wet!
- Bathing suit/swim trunks
- Lightweight quick-drying top (rash guard works well)
- Lightweight windbreaker for cool mornings
- Sweatshirt for cool evenings
- River sandals or old tennis shoes (no flip-flops or bare feet allowed)
- Hat with visor (optional under helmet)
- Sunglasses with retaining device so they don’t end up in the river
- Waterproof sunscreen and lip protection
- Bottle of water (drinks provided at lunch and end of trip)
- Inexpensive waterproof camera (professional pictures are taken at one rapid)
- Dry clothes for the trip home, to be left in your car
What Not To Bring
- Pets
- Fireworks
- Firearms
- High-pressure water guns
Places To Stay In The Area
Campgrounds
KOA in Midpines
6323 Highway 140
Midpines, CA 95345
(800) 562-9391 / (209) 966-2201
Indian Flat Campground
9988 Highway 140,
El Portal, CA 95318
Phone: (209) 379-2339
BLM Camp Area – On the River – First Come First Serve!
The BLM camp area is located right on the river in a primitive setting and is about 10-15 minutes from our meeting area.
Directions to BLM Camp Area:
- From the WWE meeting area drive east on Hwy 140
- Continue down the winding section of the highway and at the bottom just before you cross the bridge, turn left at Briceburg (BLM Brick Building Field Office is on your left – Do NOT continue on Hwy 140 heading east up the Merced River).
- Cross the old suspension bridge and follow the dirt road that follows the Merced River.
- The first camp area is called McCabe Flat, a very nice and large area near Split Rock rapid. The second camp is a bit further down, called Railroad Flat.
Lodging
Reservations should be made in advance due to the proximity to Yosemite National Park.
- Yosemite Resorts (209)379-2681
- Mariposa Lodge – (209) 966-3607 (800) 341-8000
- Mother Lode Lodge – (209) 966-2521 (800) 396-9770
- Miners Inn Motel – (209) 742-7777 (800) 237-7277
- Comfort Inn – (209) 966-4344 (800) 321-5261
- Best Western – (209) 966-7545 (800) 321-5261
Where To Eat
Local Eateries
Restaurants in the nearby town of Mariposa offer a range of options, from fast food to fine dining.
Other Options And Things To Do
Other Local Places Of Interest
Yosemite National Park is located about 45 minutes away from our location on the Merced River. This is a must-see park!
Weather
Weather Info
Our area can experience extreme changes in weather, especially in April, May, and June, so please check the weather for Mariposa, CA before your trip.
