Where to go Swimming in Yosemite National Park

When we were planning our trip to Yosemite, the last thing we were thinking of was swimming. It was all about what hikes we were going to do and which viewpoints to catch the sunset at.

Now, while I sit here reminiscing about our incredible 4 days in Yosemite, I’ve realized that one of my fondest memories is jumping into the river to cool off at various spots around the park. It was extremely hot (July) while we were there and we went swimming every single day and it was glorious!

One day we even just set up by the river for a good few hours and jumped in and out of the water to keep cool. It was seriously like being at a resort surrounded by crazy beautiful views!

I’ve decided to write this blog post to inspire you to go swimming at least once while you are in Yosemite. Believe me, you won’t regret it! In this guide, I list the best and most beautiful places to swim in Yosemite and where to park for each spot.

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Yosemite – Things to Know

🗺 Map of the best swimming spots in Yosemite

Open this map in Google Maps!

⌚ How long do you need to see Yosemite

You can spend as little as 1 day in Yosemite to up to a week or even longer! The park is huge and there is loads to see and do. We spent 4 days in Yosemite which was a good amount of time.

Check out our Yosemite Itineraries to help plan your trip.

🏊‍♀️ Tips to Stay Safe when Swimming in Yosemite

The water in Yosemite can be pretty cold and there can be strong currents. Make sure you close to the shoreline and are not swimming in a strong current. It’s also good to make sure there are other people with you when swimming in Yosemite.

There are lots of waterfalls in Yosemite. It can be dangerous to swim under or above a waterfall.

Watch out for debris in the water where you swim and be careful where you step so that you don’t step on a pointy stick or any other hazards.

The Best Swimming Spots in Yosemite

Yosemite can get very hot during the Summer, especially down in Yosemite Valley where the heat gets kind of stuck in a heat dome. Luckily, there are plenty of places to cool off throughout the park and you don’t have to feel like you are missing out on seeing the views either like you would in a resort swimming pool.

Swimming spot 1: Superintendent’s Bridge

Where to park: Sentinel Bridge Parking Area

This spot was the first one that we discovered and we ended up going back a few times because it was our favourite. There is a sandy beach with a few trees to shelter under from the sun right next to the Merced River. From the beach (and the water), you have views of Upper Yosemite Falls. We enjoyed watching the river rafters floating past as we relaxed on the beach.

To get there from the Sentinel Bridge Parking Area, you will need to walk down the Cook’s Meadow Trail until you reach a fork in the road. Go left towards Superintendent’s Bridge, cross over the bridge and to your right, you will see a little sandy beach next to the river. Paradise found!

Note: There are no toilets at this swimming spot or in the parking lot.

Swimming spot 2: Devils Elbow

Where to park: Parking lot across the road from the river.

This was the second swimming spot that we went to. The parking lot is extremely small but you could try waiting for a few minutes if it is full to see if anyone leaves. Once you park, cross the road and walk down to the water. There is a good amount of shelter at this swimming spot under the trees.

The water is deep in sections and shallow in others with a bit of a current when you first get in. When we were there, you could wade across the water to a little sand bank in the middle of the river where a bunch of people had set up their picnics. This spot was a lot more busy than the first spot we had found but still gorgeous.

Note: There are no toilets at this swimming spot or in the parking lot.

Swimming spot 3: Sentinel Beach Picnic Area

Where to park: Sentinel Beach Picnic Area

We didn’t have a chance to check this spot out but I so wish we did because it looked lovely! The picnic area is set up with picnic tables and grills so it is a more popular spot than the first 2 swimming spots.

The swimming area has a great little beach area with views of Sentinel Dome.

Note: There are also vault toilets available in the picnic area.

Swimming spot 4: Swinging Bridge Picnic Area

Where to park: Swinging Bridge Picnic Area

We tried to stop here a few times but with no luck. The parking was pretty tiny and it was always full with more cars waiting for people to leave. If you are just looking to go for a swim, one of the other spots might be a better choice because the Swinging Bridge is also a very popular photo spot which is why it’s so hard to get a parking spot.

If you manage to get a spot at the Sentinel Beach Picnic Area but want to check out Swinging Bridge, it’s only a 15 minute walk.

Swinging Bridge has incredible views of Yosemite Falls and has both a sandy and rocky beach area where you can set up.

Note: There are also vault toilets available in the picnic area.

Our Thoughts

One thing I will say is that although the Merced River was cold, it wasn’t as cold as many of the glacial lakes that we have experienced in BC. It was refreshingly beautiful and we’re already both looking forward to going back to Yosemite one day to discover more incredible swimming spots! In my opinion, one of the best things to do in Yosemite National Park is to go swimming in one of these beautiful spots!

You might also enjoy:

• An Incredible 4 Day Yosemite Itinerary
• The Ultimate 15 Day California Road Trip Itinerary
• The Best 2 Day Lake Tahoe Summer Itinerary
• Dreamy Places to Paddle Board in Lake Tahoe

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