California whitewater - Merced River, Central Sierra Nevada, Mariposa County Mariposa county, El Portal to Route 49 at Lake McClure section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS II-V     29 miles   Whitewater rafting and kayaking spots in this state tend to be more challenging than the national average, so better not forget that many runs in this state are not easy. The starting location is a short drive from Madera, as you can see on the road map further down. The scenic beauty of California and the water flowing gracefully down Merced River will make you feel great. The El Portal to Route 49 at Lake McClure stretch of Merced River is 29 miles long and has been rated as a class II-V section by American Whitewater. There aren’t any hotels right     nearby but if you're willing to drive a short distance then no problem but if you don’t have reservations you might end up sleeping in your car. This section has enough mileage for an overnight trip, so go ahead and pack your camp stove. You might be into whitewater rafting or kayaking or both, doesn't matter, there are lots of good rivers for that around here. The wild scenery of the Central Sierra Nevada is great. If you're a camper you can camp at one of the great campgrounds nearby. This river system is full of great paddling sections, the El Portal to Route 49 at Lake McClure section is just one of them. Getting your paddling muscles activated and just hanging out with mother nature have people coming from far and near. Briefly about the general area: An average amount of precipitation falls at Merced River; of   all the months in a year January is the one with the most rain; July on the other hand is the driest. High temperatures at Merced River through the summertime months are in the 90's, and during summer nights temperatures are in the 50's. High temperatures all through the wintertime are normally in the 50's while the cold winter nights at Merced River are in the 30's. Merced River, El Portal to Route 49 at Lake McClure road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked. QUICK STATS AW Class: II-V Length: 29 miles Average Gradient: 40 fpm    Putin Location Coordinates: Latitude: 37.67169 Longitude: -119.79011 Takeout Location Coordinates: Latitude: 37.61289 Longitude: -120.13121 Paddler input for Merced River, California: Submit Input: Your Name: Write or Paste Input here: Upload picture:      Input Submission Guidelines Current weather conditions at Merced River, Central Sierra Nevada, California Local climate location: SONORA R S 18 miles away RAFTING TRIP OUTFITTERS There are no whitewater outfitters currently listed for this river. Comfort Inn Mariposa, Mariposa 9 miles away Shops and restaurants within walking distance. California State Mining and Mineral Exhibition 2 miles. Hotel located in historic Gold Country on year round highway to Yosemite National Park. Boating, ... Super 8 Motel Mariposa /Yosemite National Park Area, Mariposa 9 miles away * Gateway to Yosemite National Park * Enjoy Skiing, Fishing, Hiking, Golfing * Located in Historic Town Mariposa * Yosemite Tour Bus Pick-up Site * 35 miles from the west entrance to Yosemite Nat... Best Western Yosemite Way Station, Mariposa 9 miles away This Mariposa, California hotel offers convenient access to Yosemite National Park, the Sierra National Forest and the Giant Sequoia Trees. Welcome to the peace and beauty of central California's Si...   Central Sierra Nevada Whitewater Complete list of all the whitewater kayaking and rafting spots in the Central Sierra Nevada. Central Sierra Nevada Outdoors Info Complete outdoors info for the Central Sierra Nevada. All California Whitewater Complete list of all the whitewater paddling spots in California. Books about whitewater paddling on Merced River, California List of books from Amazon.com that cover whitewater paddling on Merced River, California. Find a whitewater outfitter in California Whitewater Basics If you're new to whitewater paddling please take a look at this basic whitewater info. Outdoors Recreation Near Madera, California Very comprehensive list of a variety of outdoors recreation in the vicinity of Madera, California, the metro area neareast to Merced River. Find info on campgrounds, hiking trails, ski resorts, lakes, beaches, parks, whitewater and more.       These outdoors activities are available near Merced River.   Whitewater Near Merced River: Merced River, Mariposa County , 1 miles away, Class IV - 17 miles long (Red Bud to Bagby Reservoir) Merced River - North Fork, Mariposa County , 6 miles away, Class IV-V(V+) - 17 miles long (Greeley Hill Road to Merced confluence) Merced River - South Fork, Mariposa County , 7 miles away, Class III-IV - 7.4 miles long (Snyder Gulch to Route 140 Bridge) Tuolumne River - South Fork, Tuolumne County , 10 miles away, Class IV-V - 7 miles long (Highway 120 to Rainbow Pool Picnic Area) Tuolumne River, Tuolumne County , 14 miles away, Class IV-V+ - 9 miles long (Cherry Creek to Meral's Pool) Clavey River, Tuolumne County , 18 miles away, Class V+ - 8.5 miles long (Upper Bridge to Lower Bridge) Tuolumne River, Tuolumne County , 18 miles away, Class IV-V - 18 miles long (Lumsden Campground to Wards Ferry Bridge) Merced River, Mariposa County , 18 miles away, Class V - 4.8 miles long (Routes 120-140 Junction to Arch Rock Entrance Station) Chowchilla River, Madera County , 20 miles away, Class III-IV - 7 miles long (Road 810 to Road 800) Clavey River, Tuolumne County , 20 miles away, Class V+ - 20.8 miles long (Lower Bridge to Ward's Ferry)   Ski Areas Near Merced River: Badger Pass, California , 21 miles away, 800 vertical feet Dodge Ridge, California , 30 miles away, 1600 vertical feet Bear Valley, California , 47 miles away, 1900 vertical feet Kirkwood, California , 57 miles away, 2000 vertical feet Sierra Summit, California , 60 miles away, 1600 vertical feet June Mountain, California , 61 miles away, 2590 vertical feet Sierra at Tahoe, California , 64 miles away, 2212 vertical feet Mammoth Mountain, California , 66 miles away, 3100 vertical feet Heavenly, California , 71 miles away, 3500 vertical feet Homewood, California , 80 miles away, 1650 vertical feet   Hotels Near Merced River: Comfort Inn Mariposa, Mariposa , 9 miles away Super 8 Motel Mariposa /Yosemite National Park Area, Mariposa , 9 miles away Best Western Yosemite Way Station, Mariposa , 9 miles away Little Valley Inn, Mariposa , 13 miles away dnc -- Wawona Hotel, Yosemite National Park , 23 miles away   Camp Grounds Near Merced River: Yosemite/Mariposa KOA, Midpines, 4 miles away Yosemite Trail Campground, Midpines, 5 miles away Midpines Koa Kampground, Midpines, 6 miles away   Trails Near Merced River: Hite Cove Trail, Mariposa County , 8 miles away,  14.4 hiking miles, 1185 feet elevation difference Pilot Ridge Trail, Mariposa County , 10 miles away, 2.1 hiking miles, 1023 feet elevation difference   National Parks Near Merced River: Yosemite National Park, Yosemite National Park - CA , 21 miles away