Merced Wild & Scenic River
General Information
From the high country of Yosemite National Park, the Merced River shows no mercy on its headlong rush through glacially-carved canyons, rugged mountains and foothills to the San Joaquin Valley. Ample access points allow you to punch rapids at your own pace. After a full day on the river, check out the Wilow Placer, Railroad Flat or McCabe Flat campgrounds.
Merced River Recreation Area Map (pdf 478 kb)
Wild and Scenic Rivers are a component of the National Landscape Conservation System.
When to go: April-August
Getting there: Highway 140 to Foresta Bridge. Take left on Foresta Bridge to Incline Road. Take left on Incline Road.
Put-in: Redbud, Cranberry, Briceburg and Indian Flat.
Take-out: Briceburg, McCabe Flat, Railroad Flat, Bagby Reservoir.
Portage: Mandatory at North Fork Falls.
River Class:III-IV