Swimming
The best way to cool off during a hot California summer is to go swimming, and at Yosemite National Park, visitors have a number of options of places to swim.
Local Listings:
- Swimming in Yosemite National Park is the best way to cool off during the summer
- Use the pools at Yosemite Lodge and Curry Village for a small fee
- Dip in the water of the Merced at Sentinel Beach
- Swim in the swimming hole by Tuolumne Meadows Campground
Overview
While summers in Yosemite National Park are often cool and comfortable, visitors can get quite warm with all the activities they enjoy during their trip. The best way to beat the summer heat is to find a place to jump in the water. There are a number of places in the park where you can swim.
Where to go Swimming
Hotel Swimming Pools
Those individuals who are staying at accommodations within Yosemite can swim in the pools onsite. This includes Curry Village, Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, Ahwahnee Hotel and the wonderful “Swimming Tank” at the Wawona Hotel. Swimming, of course, is free to all overnight guests but those not staying at any of these facilities can swim for a small fee at the pools at Yosemite Lodge and Curry Village.
Merced River
Swimming is also available in the many lakes and rivers inside the park, including the mighty Merced River. Some swimming areas in California’s Yosemite National Park are quite secluded while others are more popular, thus more crowded.
Sentinel Beach, Tenaya Lake, The Slot
Popular swimming holes in Yosemite include Sentinel Beach on the Merced River, Tenaya Lake, the beach on the Merced River by Housekeeping Camp and “The Slot” swimming hole by Tuolumne Meadows Campground. Yosemite’s High Sierra Camps also have some secluded spots to swim.
Off Limits
Park visitors cannot swim at the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and in water above waterfalls. You should always be cautious when swimming in rivers due to fast currents, cold water and any hazards within the water such as trees, etc. When swimming in the Merced River, it’s safest if you enter and exit at the beaches along the river.
