{"id":10175,"date":"2022-05-23T16:06:06","date_gmt":"2022-05-23T23:06:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/?p=10175"},"modified":"2026-01-09T15:29:27","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T23:29:27","slug":"yosemite-getaway-hiking-merced-rafting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/yosemite-getaway-hiking-merced-rafting\/","title":{"rendered":"Yosemite Getaway: Hiking & Merced Rafting"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Yosemite has been wowing the masses as a U.S. National Park for over 130 years. The much-loved local\u2019s weekend getaway also welcomes travelers from around the globe and tallied 3.29 million<\/em> visitors in 2021. It can be easily argued that a visit to California is hardly complete without time spent in Yosemite National Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A majority of the tourism is focused in the \u201cValley\u201d\u2026and for good reason. Yosemite Valley is incredible! It is formed and defined by its powerful water features, which come together to tumble west through the Sierra Nevada mountains as the Merced River<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When planning a visit to Yosemite, there are a thousand and one ways to fill the time. Even if the time is tight, it\u2019s totally possible to plan a memorable and fulfilling visit. Our recommendation? Spend some time in the park admiring the rocky features and the waterfalls and then ride on the very same whitewater just outside of the park.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Every spring I gather my group of friends, family members, and coworkers for our annual Yosemite trip of hiking, feasting, and whitewater rafting (check this year\u2019s Merced River rafting conditions<\/a>). After many successful group trips, we\u2019ve got the plans down pat. If you\u2019re looking to pair a visit to Yosemite National Park with rafting on the Merced River, here\u2019s a page from our book:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 1 (Get a Head Start)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Arrive in the afternoon to settle in and catch the sunset. Too late for sunset? Appreciate the starshine sans city lights! We usually stay outside of the park to keep our evening drive shorter and so it is easier to coordinate lodging for our large group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lodging Tip: Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort<\/a>. A variety of lodging types in a prime location about 55 minutes from the Yosemite Valley floor and 5 minutes from the All-Outdoors Merced meet place<\/a> in Midpines! The restaurant is incredible for breakfast, hiker\u2019s bagged lunches, and dinner. The beds are super comfortable and the price extremely reasonable. Plus, a spa!<\/p>\n\n\n

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Day 2 (& 3, 4, 5\u2026)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hike! Yosemite Valley, while quite popular along the main floor, is absolutely worth a visit. There are so many hikes that begin from the Valley, and if time is limited, here are some of our favorites that allow us to fit more than just a hike into the day, such as combining with other scenic stops like Tunnel View or refreshments at the historical Ahwahnee Hotel…<\/p>\n\n\n\n