California whitewater, Big Creek Mariposa county, Chowchilla Mountain Road to South Fork Merced River section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS IV-V+     1 miles   The average California whitewater rafting or kayaking river tends to be a bit harder to master than those in other states, so better not forget that the rivers in this state are less manageable. The scenic beauty of Mariposa County and the playfulness of the water attract people from near and far. The Chowchilla Mountain Road to South Fork Merced River section of Big Creek is 1 miles long and is rated by American Whitewater as a class IV-V+     section. The starting point is not too far from Madera, please print out a copy of the road map further down the page so you won’t get lost. There are nice comfortable hotels here, but do book a room before you come because it is a very popular destination. There are some good stretches to paddle in this river system, the Chowchilla Mountain Road to South Fork Merced River stretch is one of them. You can pitch a tent or park your RV at a nearby campground. You might be into whitewater rafting or kayaking or both, doesn't matter, this is an area with plenty of places for that. Getting some good exercise and a chance to spend some time outdoors will make you glad   you came. This stretch is very short so you'll have to walk back to the start over and over. When you're paddling down a Central Sierra Nevada river like this one you always get great scenery along the way too. Briefly about the general area: Yosemite National Park is a nice local destination here at Big Creek, and folks from Yosemite National Park love to come here. Not enough hours in a day to enjoy the Central Sierra Nevada. If the weather is great here at Big Creek, you can go for a hike along the Pohono Trail, and you'll never forgive yourself if you don’t go skiing at Badger Pass if you're here. Big Creek, Chowchilla Mountain Road to South Fork Merced River road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.     Map Detailed Map Stats Stats for this river stretch Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Big Creek.   Whitewater Near Big Creek: Big Creek, Mariposa County, 1 miles away       Class IV-V+ - 1 miles long (Chowchilla Mountain Road to South Fork Merced River) Merced River, Mariposa County, 10 miles away       Class V - 4.8 miles long (Routes 120-140 Junction to Arch Rock Entrance Station) Fresno River, Madera County, 11 miles away       Class III-V - 3 miles long (Goldside Drive off road 600 to Road 600) Fresno River, Madera County, 12 miles away       Class IV-V(V+) - 11 miles long (Road 600 to Road 415) Merced River - South Fork, Mariposa County, 12 miles away       Class III-IV - 7.4 miles long (Snyder Gulch to Route 140 Bridge) Merced River, Mariposa County, 12 miles away       Class II-V - 29 miles long (El Portal to Route 49 at Lake McClure) Willow Creek, Madera County, 12 miles away       Class V - 3 miles long (Greys Mt. Campground to Chilkoot Campground) Willow Creek, Madera County, 13 miles away       Class V - 3 miles long (Chilkoot Campground to Bass Lake) Merced River, Mariposa County, 13 miles away       Class IV - 17 miles long (Red Bud to Bagby Reservoir) Merced River - South Fork, Mariposa County, 15 miles away       Class V+ - 16 miles long (Upper)   Ski Areas Near Big Creek: Badger Pass, California , 7 miles away, 540 foot drop, 5 lifts, 10 runs Sierra Summit, California , 39 miles away, 1679 foot drop, 11 lifts, 45 runs Dodge Ridge, California , 41 miles away, 1600 foot drop, 10 lifts, 59 runs June Mountain, California , 42 miles away, 2580 foot drop, 7 lifts, 37 runs Mammoth Mountain, California , 46 miles away, 3100 foot drop, 27 lifts, 156 runs Bear Valley, California , 59 miles away, 1900 foot drop, 11 lifts, 67 runs Kirkwood, California , 69 miles away, 2000 foot drop, 15 lifts, 65 runs Sierra at Tahoe, California , 75 miles away, 2212 foot drop, 12 lifts, 46 runs Heavenly, California , 79 miles away, 3500 foot drop, 31 lifts, 94 runs Homewood, California , 92 miles away, 1650 foot drop, 8 lifts, 56 runs   Marinas Near Big Creek: Pines Marina, Bass Lake , 14 miles away   Hotels Near Big Creek: Tin Lizzie Inn At Yosemite, Fish Camp , 3 miles away Tenaya Lodge, Fish Camp , 3 miles away Sierra Sky Ranch, An Ascend Hotel Collection Member, Oakhurst , 9 miles away Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn, Oakhurst , 11 miles away Comfort Inn Yosemite Area, Oakhurst , 11 miles away   Campgrounds Near Big Creek: Wawona Campground, Mariposa County, 1 miles away Yosemite National Park - Wawona, Yosemite National Park, 1 miles away Summit Campground, Mariposa County, 2 miles away   Trails Near Big Creek: Chilnualna Fall Trail, Mariposa , 3 miles away,  7 hiking miles, 2879 feet elevation difference Pohono Trail, Mariposa , 10 miles away, 11.4 hiking miles, 3527 feet elevation difference Mono Meadow Trail, Mariposa , 12 miles away,  5.2 hiking miles, 1019 feet elevation difference El Capitan Trail, Mariposa , 12 miles away, 14.7 hiking miles, 4758 feet elevation difference Buena Vista Trail, Madera , 12 miles away,  22.4 hiking miles, 2797 feet elevation difference Panorama Trail, Mariposa , 13 miles away, 7.1 hiking miles, 3896 feet elevation difference Four Mile Trail, Mariposa , 13 miles away, 3.7 hiking miles, 3869 feet elevation difference   Public Lands Near Big Creek: Yosemite National Park, Yosemite National Park - CA , 3 miles away Devils Postpile National Monument, Mammoth Lakes - CA , 64 miles away Sierra National Forest, California , 29 miles away Millerton Lake State Park, California , 29 miles away Stanislaus National Forest, California , 40 miles away   Golf Courses Near Big Creek: Ahwahnee Golf Course, Oakhurst , 10 miles away River Creek Golf Course, Ahwahnee , 10 miles away   Lakes Near Big Creek Bare Island Lake, Madera , 12 miles away Givens Lake, Madera , 14 miles away Chiquito Lake, Madera , 16 miles away