Yosemite Village Parking
Parking lot
4.7 (69)
Yosemite Valley, CA 95389
Restroom
This location may be clothing-optional or adjacent to adult content. We do not display adult imagery and recommend discretion. Families should verify suitability.
Regional River Access And Separately Managed SwimmingCA
Yosemite National Park Swimming Spots
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Yosemite and Briceburg: Separate Merced River Swimming Rules. Plan the correct destination, current access and site-specific services before visiting.
Swimming restriction
NPS generally permitted swimming outside its named exclusions and BLM-recognized Merced swimming; high-flow hazards and exact approach rules still apply. Check current park alerts, flow and fire restrictions. NPS recommends swimming only during low water; no blanket summer safety window.
Water type
Regional River Access And Separately Managed Swimming
Access
Informal
Fee
Yosemite entrance fees and current visitor-category/pass terms apply; Highway 41 is not a free-entrance promise. BLM developed campsites are $20/night/site plus booking fees with reservations required.
Best season
Check current park alerts, flow and fire restrictions. NPS recommends swimming only during low water
Nearby towns
Merced, Yosemite Village
Water body
Merced River And South Fork Merced River
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Merced, Yosemite Village
Access location not verified
YOSEMITE VILLAGE, CA
Approximate location based on the nearest town. Confirm the exact spot and access before you go.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check with the land manager before entering the water.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Separate Yosemite Valley from the BLM river corridor
This historical regional record covers Briceburg outside the national park, an incomplete Hites Cove route and Yosemite Valley's Merced River. It is not fourteen verified entrances. Lake Yosemite Recreation Area near Merced is a different destination and cannot supply photographs or rules for the park.
Yosemite swimming has specific exceptions
NPS generally permits swimming, with named exclusions including Hetch Hetchy and tributaries within one mile upstream, Dana Fork, Emerald Pool and Silver Apron, posted Lake Eleanor and the Wawona intake area. Enter and leave the Merced on sandy beaches. Avoid high water, whitewater and any water upstream of a waterfall brink; no old beach-to-bridge span certifies today's conditions.
Briceburg camping is a separate BLM booking
BLM documents swimming recreation along the Merced corridor downstream from Yosemite. Its three developed campgrounds require reservations and cost $20 per site per night before booking fees, with bear-proof lockers and a 14-day limit in 90 days. The suspension-bridge approach is not recommended for trailers over 18 feet or large RVs. Check current fire restrictions and the chosen campground, rather than transferring national-park facilities to every river bank.
Do not use old fee or launch assumptions
Yosemite charges entrance fees; the archive's claim of a free Highway 41 entrance is withdrawn. Check current pass and visitor-category terms, with camping booked separately. NPS rafting rules have their own allowed put-in, take-out, gauge and flotation requirements; a swimming description is not a rafting itinerary. The Hites Cove turnout and side paths remain unverified current bathing approaches.
Plan with the destination manager
Getting There
Choose the named NPS beach or BLM Briceburg destination and use current manager directions. Do not treat the incomplete Hites Cove turnout account or Lake Yosemite match as an approved route.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Choose the named NPS beach or BLM Briceburg destination and use current manager directions. Do not treat the incomplete Hites Cove turnout account or Lake Yosemite match as an approved route.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
NPS generally permitted swimming outside its named exclusions and BLM-recognized Merced swimming; high-flow hazards and exact approach rules still apply. Check current park alerts, flow and fire restrictions. NPS recommends swimming only during low water; no blanket summer safety window. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
What to Bring
Bring sturdy water shoes to protect your feet on rocks and slippery surfaces. A waterproof dry bag keeps your phone, keys, and valuables safe. Pack a quick-dry towel, sun protection, and drinking water - never drink from the natural water source.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Yosemite Falls Parking
Parking lot
4.4 (35)
California 95389
Restroom
Sentinel Bridge Parking Area
Parking lot
4.8 (33)
Yosemite National Park, Sentinel Bridge, YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA 95389
Restroom
Yosemite Falls Trailhead
Hiking area
4.9 (1615)
Yosemite Falls Trail, TUOLUMNE MEADOWS, CA 95389
Challenging hike among oak & pine trees to a towering waterfall, with views of granite peaks.
Lower Yosemite Falls Trailhead
Hiking area
4.8 (4185)
Lower Yosemite Fall Trl, TUOLUMNE MEADOWS, CA 95389
Water falls from 2,425 feet at this natural wonder in Yosemite National Park.
Upper Yosemite Falls Trail
Hiking area
4.9 (153)
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA 95389
Challenging 7.6-mile round-trip trail with considerable elevation gain & vast Yosemite Falls views.
Yosemite Creek Campground
Campground
4.7 (59)
TUOLUMNE MEADOWS, CA 95389
This first-come, first-served summer campground includes tent sites with fire rings & picnic tables.
Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
Tamarack Flat Campground
Campground
4.6 (89)
Tioga Pass Rd, YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA 95389
Campground with pit toilets, fire rings, picnic tables & food lockers in a scenic forested setting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yosemite National Park Swimming Spots
Is Briceburg inside Yosemite National Park?
No. The downstream Merced recreation corridor is managed by BLM and has separate camping and access rules.
Is swimming generally allowed in Yosemite?
NPS generally permits it outside named exclusions. Follow posted restrictions, enter the Merced on sandy beaches and avoid high flow or water above waterfall brinks.
Can I swim at Emerald Pool or Silver Apron?
No. NPS specifically prohibits swimming there above Vernal Fall; the general park swimming permission does not override that exclusion.
Is the Highway 41 entrance free?
No such exemption is supported. Check Yosemite's current entrance-pass and visitor-category fees; camping and reservation terms are separate.
How do I book the BLM river campgrounds?
Reservations are required for its three developed sites. The published fee is $20 per site per night before booking fees, with a 14-day limit in 90 days.
Can large RVs use the Briceburg suspension bridge?
BLM does not recommend crossing it with large RVs or trailers over 18 feet. Use manager guidance for your vehicle rather than the old regional route alone.
Highlights
Yosemite swimming has specific exceptions
Briceburg camping is a separate BLM booking
Do not use old fee or launch assumptions
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Avoid jumping, diving, natural slides and high or rising flow
- A recreation listing or clear appearance is not a water-quality or depth guarantee
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Historical directions are retained separately; use current manager instructions for travel.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Photograph only from currently lawful viewpoints. A landscape image is not proof of a current bathing entrance or today's water conditions.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Follow current manager routes and fire restrictions, respect private parcels and pack out waste.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Check current park alerts, flow and fire restrictions. NPS recommends swimming only during low water; no blanket summer safety window.
Difficulty Level
Confirm the intended entrance and mobility requirements; regional access is not a surveyed water route.
Fee
Yosemite entrance fees and current visitor-category/pass terms apply; Highway 41 is not a free-entrance promise. BLM developed campsites are $20/night/site plus booking fees with reservations required.
Facilities
BLM developed campsites have bear-proof lockers. Check the selected park beach or campground for actual toilets and water; no regional facility inventory applies to every bank.
Activities
NPS generally permitted swimming outside its named exclusions and BLM-recognized Merced swimming; high-flow hazards and exact approach rules still apply.
Phone
209-372-0200 (Yosemite); 209-379-9414 (BLM Merced)
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
Reserve the three developed BLM Merced campgrounds separately; $20/night/site before booking fees and a 14-day stay limit within 90 days. NPS campsites follow separate booking terms.
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Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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