Can I kayak in Yosemite?

One of the many wonderful activities that you can enjoy in Yosemite is kayaking. Visitors to the park can bring their own kayaks and enjoy the waters of the Merced River and Tenaya Lake. In fact, Merced River is the most popular place to and go kayaking in Yosemite.



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BASE jumping is prohibited. Hang gliding is allowed with a permit. Launching, landing, or operating an unmanned aircraft from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Yosemite National Park is prohibited.

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Yosemite National Park offers a range of swimming opportunities—from rivers and lakes to our family-friendly pools, which are the only swimming places in Yosemite with lifeguards. River and lake swimming is at-your-own-risk. Life jackets are strongly recommended—especially for children.

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The park requires all watercraft (including angler float tubes and paddle boards) to have a Yellowstone National Park Aquatic Invasive Species inspection and boat permit before launching in any Yellowstone waters. Any watercraft with evidence of quagga or zebra mussels will be prohibited from launching.

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No matter which season you are planning to visit Yosemite, layers will be important. During the spring, summer, or fall, we recommend wearing a base of shorts and a tank top or t-shirt then layering from there. Cargo pants that have removable sections are great.

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Add a paddle board to Yosemite, and you have one epic adventure ahead of you. In 2014, Yosemite opened its rivers for paddling. Paddle the Merced River and experience the heart of Yosemite Valley. The river is calm, leaving you plenty of time to soak in the best views of Yosemite's famous sights.

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No matter which season you are planning to visit Yosemite, layers will be important. During the spring, summer, or fall, we recommend wearing a base of shorts and a tank top or t-shirt then layering from there. Cargo pants that have removable sections are great.

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Make sure you know before you go. In national parks where grizzlies live, such as Glacier or Grand Teton, rangers encourage you to carry bear spray. In others, such as Yosemite, where only black bears live, bear spray is not even permitted.

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American black bears found in Yosemite National Park have long been of intense interest to park visitors and managers. Seeing one of the approximately 300 to 500 black bears in Yosemite can evoke excitement, awe, and fear. If visitors spot a bear while in the park, it is a black bear-not a brown or grizzly bear.

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Firearms are now allowed in Yellowstone, Yosemite and 370 other national parks.

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While this national park tends to be one of the hardest to visit due to its high demand, it includes scenic beginner hiking trails for budding explorers. Don't feel pressure to become a pro at all things outdoors before planning your trip to Yosemite National Park.

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Merced River water is available up to Little Yosemite Valley, however you should treat this water by boiling, using iodine, or using a giardia-rated water filter. Drinking untreated river water may cause significant illness.

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All climbers staying overnight on big wall climbs in Yosemite must have a wilderness climbing permit. If you are doing a day climb, you don't need a wilderness climbing permit.

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Within Yosemite National Park, you may not sleep in your car or RV except in a campsite that you're registered to stay in (except at Camp 4, where sleeping in cars is not allowed because it's a walk-in campground). Sleeping in your car along the side of the road is not allowed.

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Go for a Nighttime Nature Walk in Yosemite National Park A couple of popular nature walks include a visit to Lower Yosemite Falls or Bridalveil Fall (scheduled to reopen to the public in 2022). For those who enjoy more structure, Yosemite Conservancy also offers an easy 1-2 mile round trip nature walk at sunset.

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Got your own equipment? Launch your kayak, canoe, or paddleboard from BBMWD's public lunch ramps. A vessel inspection and lake permit are required.

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You can enter Blue Spring State Park and launch from there. Keep in mind paddleboards, kayaks and canoes are only allowed in the swimming area before 11am and after 5pm. For park launches, we recommend driving past the first parking lot (on your right) to the one closer to the river.

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