{"id":11193,"date":"2023-05-09T16:30:22","date_gmt":"2023-05-09T23:30:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/?p=11193"},"modified":"2025-06-17T13:57:00","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T20:57:00","slug":"video-top-5-rapids-on-the-merced-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/video-top-5-rapids-on-the-merced-river\/","title":{"rendered":"Ride Along: Top 5 Rapids on the Merced River"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div><i class=\"fa-regular fa-clock\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i> View time: 2.5 mins<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/river\/merced\/welcome.htm\">Merced River<\/a> is known for its big waves and continuous whitewater action. Located just outside Yosemite National Park, this Class III-IV run provides some epic rapids, all within a beautiful scenic canyon. Let\u2019s take a look at the top 5 rapids on the Merced.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:20px\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-youtube su-u-responsive-media-yes\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WCyH9BJYgSs?\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture\" title=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:20px\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-number-5-cranberry-rapid\">Number 5: Cranberry Rapid<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Rated Class IV, Cranberry rapid is a long train of massive, splashy waves. It\u2019s the first major rapid on the run, and happens just a few minutes after you get on the water. It\u2019s the perfect way to kick off the trip!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-number-4-endless-wave-trains\">Number 4: Endless Wave Trains<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While the Mighty Merced is home to many exciting rapids, it also features long, nameless trains of waves between the bigger, more well known rapids. That\u2019s why we\u2019re giving them the number 4 spot in our ranking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Number 3: Monster Mash<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Similar to the wave trains of our number 4 spot, Monster Mash is a series of exciting roller-coaster-like waves. It\u2019s a lot of fun, will get your heart pumping, and is a great warm-up for Splitrock rapid, which lies just downstream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Number 2: Ned\u2019s Gulch&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ned\u2019s Gulch is an exciting Class IV drop. The rapid has a few technical moves up top, before dropping the boats into a long train of waves. While still fun at high flows, Ned\u2019s Gulch actually becomes a bigger rapid at lower flows and is one of the Merced\u2019s most well known rapids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Number 1: Splitrock Rapid&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Named for the giant, halved boulder on the right side of the river, this Class IV rapid is the biggest on the entire river. You and your crew must maneuver your line up top in order to smash through a massive wave at the bottom.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And there you have it, our top 5 rapids of the Merced! Ready to find out which rapid is your favorite? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/contact\/welcome.htm\">Give us a call<\/a> and our California Rafting Consultants will set you up for your ideal experience. We\u2019ll see you on the river!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:20px\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"calls-2-action-cpt\">\n    <div class=\"container-fluid\"> \n            \n                <div class=\"row\">   \n            <div class=\"col-sm-8\">\n                <h2>Raft the Merced River!<\/h2>\n                <p><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>This could be you!<\/strong> Big waves, fast-moving water, and a springtime window that\u2019s worth catching. The Merced delivers rollercoaster rapids just outside Yosemite National Park.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"col-sm-4\"> \n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/merced-cta-2025-1-300x200.jpg\" class=\"aligncenter img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"Raft the Merced River!\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/merced-cta-2025-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/merced-cta-2025-1.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"col-sm-12\">\n                <div class=\"text-center\">\n                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/go.aorafting.com\/reserve\/me\" class=\"btn btn-primary\">\n                            Book Online 24\/7                        <\/a>\n                                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                            <\/div> \n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:20px\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"related-posts\">\n   \n<h3>\nKeep Reading &#8211; There Is More to Explore:\n<\/h3> \n <div class=\"container-fluid\">     \n     <div class=\"row\">  \n     \n        <div class=\"col-sm-6\">\n         \n        <div class=\"rp-wrapper\">\n                <div class=\"col-sm-5\"> <div class=\"row\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/merced-vs-kaweah-thumb-300x172.jpg\" class=\"alignleft img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"Spring Rafting on the Kaweah and Merced Rivers\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/merced-vs-kaweah-thumb-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/merced-vs-kaweah-thumb-1024x587.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/merced-vs-kaweah-thumb-768x440.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/merced-vs-kaweah-thumb-1536x880.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/merced-vs-kaweah-thumb.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"col-sm-7\">\n                 <h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/spring-rafting-merced-river-vs-kaweah-river\/\">Spring Rafting Face-Off: Merced River vs. Kaweah River<\/a><\/h4>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n         <\/div>\n        <\/div> \n       \n        <div class=\"col-sm-6\">\n         \n        <div class=\"rp-wrapper\">\n                <div class=\"col-sm-5\"> <div class=\"row\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/merced-after-the-rapids-header-300x172.jpg\" class=\"alignleft img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"Beyond the Merced\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/merced-after-the-rapids-header-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/merced-after-the-rapids-header-1024x587.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/merced-after-the-rapids-header-768x440.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/merced-after-the-rapids-header-1536x880.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/merced-after-the-rapids-header.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"col-sm-7\">\n                 <h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/discover-the-merced-river-beyond-the-rapids\/\">Discover the Merced River Beyond the Rapids<\/a><\/h4>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n         <\/div>\n        <\/div> \n       \n        <div class=\"col-sm-6\">\n         \n        <div class=\"rp-wrapper\">\n                <div class=\"col-sm-5\"> <div class=\"row\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/yosemite-valley-feature-300x172.jpg\" class=\"alignleft img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"Yosemite Valley\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/yosemite-valley-feature-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/yosemite-valley-feature-1024x587.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/yosemite-valley-feature-768x440.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/yosemite-valley-feature-1536x880.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/yosemite-valley-feature.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"col-sm-7\">\n                 <h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/yosemite-getaway-hiking-merced-rafting\/\">Yosemite Getaway: Hiking &#038; Merced Rafting<\/a><\/h4>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n         <\/div>\n        <\/div> \n       \n        <div class=\"col-sm-6\">\n         \n        <div class=\"rp-wrapper\">\n                <div class=\"col-sm-5\"> <div class=\"row\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/poppy-hill-sfa-300x172.jpg\" class=\"alignleft img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"Poppy Hill on the South Fork American\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/poppy-hill-sfa-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/poppy-hill-sfa-1024x587.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/poppy-hill-sfa-768x440.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/poppy-hill-sfa-1536x880.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/poppy-hill-sfa.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"col-sm-7\">\n                 <h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/why-plan-a-spring-rafting-trip-this-year\/\">Planning a California Spring River Rafting Trip<\/a><\/h4>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n         <\/div>\n        <\/div> \n                  <\/div>\n<\/div> \n    <hr \/>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:20px\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-author\">\n      <div class=\"container-fluid\">\r\n    <em><small>Posted on May 9, 2023 by<\/small><\/em>\r\n    <div class=\"author-bio\">\r\n\t    <div class=\"col-sm-3\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/jack-armstrong-grandson-of-founder-george-armstrong_avatar-192x192-1.jpg\" class=\"author-avatar img-responsive\" alt=\"Jack Armstrong Bio\" \/><\/div>\r\n\t    <div class=\"col-sm-9\">\r\n        <h3>Jack Armstrong<\/h3>\r\n\t\t<p>Jack grew up 35 minutes from AO headquarters, and is the grandson of our founder, George. His education includes a film degree and art studies from Biola University, as well as lots of experience breaking camera gear outside. After graduating college, he started an outdoors\/action sports focused production company and is largely responsible for our video, photo, and social media content. Jack\u2019s favorite trip is the Cal-Salmon, because of the river\u2019s awe-inspiring beauty and the sweet rapids. When he\u2019s not rafting or playing with cameras, Jack can be found skiing, surfing, visiting art galleries, or eating tacos.<\/p>\r\n\t    <\/div>\r\n        <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>  \n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Merced River is known for its big waves and continuous whitewater action. Located just outside Yosemite National Park, this Class III-IV run provides some epic rapids, all within a beautiful scenic canyon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":704,"featured_media":11194,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,16],"tags":[148],"class_list":["post-11193","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-california-rivers","category-video","tag-merced-videos"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Ride Along: Top 5 Rapids on the Merced River<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Located just outside Yosemite National Park, the Merced River (Class III-IV) is known for its big waves and continuous whitewater action.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/video-top-5-rapids-on-the-merced-river\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Ride Along: Top 5 Rapids on the Merced River\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Located just outside Yosemite National Park, the Merced River (Class III-IV) is known for its big waves and continuous whitewater action.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/video-top-5-rapids-on-the-merced-river\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The AO Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/alloutdoors\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-05-09T23:30:22+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" 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