Merced River 1/2-Day Trips
Class 3-4 — Intermediate
Our 1/2 day trips cover 11 river miles, and are only 30 minutes from Yosemite Valley
- Both morning (8:30 - 1:00) and afternoon (2:00 -6:00) trips are available
- From $90 to $115. Minimum age is 7-12 depending on water levels
- Trips daily from April into late July or early August depending on snow-pack
Trip and Price Includes:
- All government user fees
- Wetsuits/paddle jackets for spring trips
- All river gear including helmets and life jackets
- Beverages at trips end
- Parking and round trip bus shuttle to and from river
- Lunch is not included on our 1/2 day trips
Trip Itinerary:
- Meet either at 8:30 or 2:00 pm
- Park cars, paperwork and wetsuits if needed
- Safety talk, and then we start rafting.
1/2-day trips during normal water levels:
We offer both morning and afternoon 1/2 day trips. Our morning trips meet at 8:30 and end about 1:00, and our afternoon trips meet at 2:00 and end around 6:00. This trip covers 11 miles and does not include lunch. We raft from Indian Flat to Briceburg. 1/2 day trips are nice, but miss the last very scenic and exciting 5 miles of river between Briceburg and Railroad Flat, including Split Rock, Corner Pocket, and the wave trains above these 2 rapids. So if you are debating between the 1/2 or full day trip, definitely choose the full day.
1/2 day trips during low water – the best summer family rafting trip near Yosemite:
When the upper 11 mile section of the Merced river becomes too low to run later in the season, we move our 1/2 day trips down to Briceburg. This 5.5 mile narrow, scenic, and exciting section of the Merced river (from Briceburg to Railroad Flat) is a lot of fun, and allows us to squeeze out about 14 more days of rafting. The water is warmer, the air temperature is hot, and the lower water rapids are fun, technical, and the canyon narrow, intimate. We stop for snacks (which we provide) at a great beach/diving rock area for some great water play, swimming, and jumping off the jumping rocks. During calm sections, you can float downriver (with your lifejacket on of course). Because of the slower pace (although still providing for very fun, technical rapids...you still wear your helmet!) and fun water play activities associated with this trip, we have had clients say that this trip was more fun in a lot of ways than our higher water trips. Minimum age is 6.
If you are comparing prices with other outfitters, we feel it is important to emphasize that our trip prices include all government use fees, and wetsuit rental fees. Most other outfitters will charge you from 3% to 8% over and above their published prices for government fees, and you will be charged additionally for wet suit rentals.
