Where are places to swim in Yosemite?

When you find one of the best places to swim in Yosemite, there's nothing quite like cooling off in the water on a hot, sunny, spectacularly beautiful summer afternoon. If you're staying with us at Scenic Wonders, you've got plenty of options for taking a dip—whether it's in a wild waterway or a swimming pool. read more

It’s also a popular place for swimming: Just take an easy hike to the lapping shores. There's even a handy granite outcrop for drying off. Merced River. The South Fork of the Merced River in the Wawona area is another one of the great places to swim in Yosemite. read more

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. read more

Tenaya lake up in Tuolumne is a great relaxing place. You can also swim in Merced River across from El Capitan. Bring a pair of binoculars to watch the rock climbers on the wall. Please DO NOT swim upstream of any waterfalls, no matter how calm the water looks. read more