Can you swim in Yosemite Valley?

River & Lake Swimming A favorite for swimmers of all ages, the Merced River at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley offers soft, sandy beaches--perfect for spending an afternoon sunning and splashing. Tuolumne Meadows and the Park's High Sierra Camps also have some wonderful, secluded swimming areas.



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Be careful of sharp underwater objects or slippery rocks (aqua shoes are helpful), and of course, never swim above or directly below waterfalls. Mountain water is often very cold, so avoid prolonged exposure causing hypothermia and always use extreme caution when swimming in Yosemite with children.

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Viruses aren't common in Yosemite's waters, but we recommend that you treat water to kill them.

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Be aware that mountain water is extremely cold, despite hot air temperatures. Strong swimmers may quickly become too weak from hypothermia to swim. Even professional swiftwater rescuers wearing layers of insulation sometimes struggle to stay warm!

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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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Water quality throughout Yosemite National Park is considered to be good and is generally above state and federal standards.

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Elevation plays a major role in temperature and precipitation variability. Since Yosemite varies in elevation from 2,000 feet to over 13,000 feet, the lower foothills of the park can be experiencing the rebirth of spring while the higher elevations remain in the grip of winter.

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Assuming there is enough water, swimming is allowed in Mirror Lake, so don't be surprised if you see people wading or swimming to cool off on warm days. If you want to return after marvelling at Mirror Lake, then return the way you came. However, we suggest continuing out to follow the Yosemite Valley Loop trail.

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The risk for mosquito activity is extremely high. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when spending time outdoors to prevent bites.

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Even if you don't plan on hiking across any streams or rivers, waterproof hiking shoes are a great comfort in Yosemite. As we have mentioned, springtime signals the melting of snow and this causes many trails in Yosemite to have patches of water and ice.

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Showers are available at the Curry Village pool showerhouse for a fee. Showers are not available elsewhere in the park. Dump stations are available at Upper Pines Campground (all year), near Wawona Campground (summer only), and near Tuolumne Meadows Campground (summer only).

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The swimming hole in Firehole Canyon is one of two swimming areas inside Yellowstone National Park. The other area on the Boiling River has no facilities and is only open in late fall through winter because of water levels.

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Rainbow Falls is not safe for swimming. However, the pools in the river above Rainbow Falls can be safe for swimming (at your own risk) when the river is calm and the weather is dry.

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The Rainbow Pool is a cool and refreshing spot on a hot day. Located outside of Yosemite Park you can enjoy the pleasure of free access to a cool soak or swim without using one of your reserved days in the park.

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May through September is the most popular time in Yosemite These months correspond with the best weather and are also when all the roads, trails, lodging, shuttles and attractions in the park are open. That includes its most famous drive, Tioga Rd, a 64-mile-long scenic byway that closes when the snow begins to fall.

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While true altitude sickness is normally only the concern of mountaineers heading for high summits, you can experience mild symptoms from the elevation in Yosemite—headaches, shortness-of-breath, and the like—as low as 5,000 feet. Staying a step ahead of altitude sickness means taking things slow.

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Here are some quick tips to help you be safe while hiking in Yosemite: Carry a headlamp on every hike, even short day hikes. Carry and drink plenty of water (a minimum of 1 quart every 2 hours)

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Yosemite Lake Yosemite Lake's current water temperature is 69°F Todays forecast is, MostlyCloudy With a high around 92°F and the low around 52°F.

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The waterfall grand enough to be called Yosemite Fall surprises many with its ephemeral nature. The roaring spring waters subside in late summer and fall to a bare trickle before being replenished by snow and rainfall during the winter.

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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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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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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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