California whitewater, Merced River - South Fork Mariposa county, Upper section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS V+     16 miles   Whitewater rafting and kayaking spots in this state tend to be more challenging than the national average, so if you're not from around here don't forget that many of the sections here are not safe for beginners. The put-in location is a reasonable drive from Madera, there's a road map further down the page with more info on that. You can enjoy this stretch more if you take your time, so go ahead and pack your camp stove. There aren’t any hotels     right nearby but if you're willing to drive a short distance then no problem but do book a room before you come because it is a very popular destination. This section of Merced River - South Fork in California is 16 miles long and has been determined by American Whitewater to be a class V+ section. The river winds through the Central Sierra Nevada and you get great scenery. The wonderful California scenery and the playfulness of the water have people coming here. There's camping available near Merced River - South Fork. Getting a good workout and a chance to spend some time outdoors are great attractions for lots of people. There are plenty of other stretches   in this river system that can be paddled as well. Since you're on this site you are probably into whitewater rafting or kayaking, either way this area has a large number of paddling places. Briefly about the general area: Very wonderful scenery and magnificent skiing is what you get at Badger Pass, and you'll most likely meet some people from Fish Camp here. Having a fine time in the Central Sierra Nevada is painless. The Chilnualna Fall Trail offers hiking at its best, and if you haven’t been to Yosemite National Park, you must schedule some time for it since you're here. Merced River - South Fork, Upper 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 Merced River - South Fork.   Whitewater Near Merced River - South Fork: Merced River - South Fork, Mariposa County, 6 miles away       Class V+ - 16 miles long (Upper) Big Creek, Mariposa County, 9 miles away       Class IV-V+ - 1 miles long (Chowchilla Mountain Road to South Fork Merced River) Willow Creek, Madera County, 9 miles away       Class V - 3 miles long (Greys Mt. Campground to Chilkoot Campground) Willow Creek, Madera County, 10 miles away       Class V - 3 miles long (Chilkoot Campground to Bass Lake) Merced River, Mariposa County, 13 miles away       Class V - 4.8 miles long (Routes 120-140 Junction to Arch Rock Entrance Station) Tenaya Creek, Mariposa County, 15 miles away       Class V - 1 miles long (Super Slide) Fresno River, Madera County, 16 miles away       Class III-V - 3 miles long (Goldside Drive off road 600 to Road 600) Yosemite Creek, Mariposa County, 17 miles away       Class IV-V - 8 miles long (Tioga Pass Road to Yosemite Falls) Fresno River, Madera County, 18 miles away       Class IV-V(V+) - 11 miles long (Road 600 to Road 415) Merced River, Mariposa County, 19 miles away       Class II-V - 29 miles long (El Portal to Route 49 at Lake McClure)   Ski Areas Near Merced River - South Fork: Badger Pass, California , 11 miles away, 540 foot drop, 5 lifts, 10 runs Sierra Summit, California , 31 miles away, 1679 foot drop, 11 lifts, 45 runs June Mountain, California , 33 miles away, 2580 foot drop, 7 lifts, 37 runs Mammoth Mountain, California , 38 miles away, 3100 foot drop, 27 lifts, 156 runs Dodge Ridge, California , 46 miles away, 1600 foot drop, 10 lifts, 59 runs Bear Valley, California , 63 miles away, 1900 foot drop, 11 lifts, 67 runs Kirkwood, California , 72 miles away, 2000 foot drop, 15 lifts, 65 runs Sierra at Tahoe, California , 78 miles away, 2212 foot drop, 12 lifts, 46 runs Heavenly, California , 81 miles away, 3500 foot drop, 31 lifts, 94 runs Homewood, California , 95 miles away, 1650 foot drop, 8 lifts, 56 runs   Marinas Near Merced River - South Fork: Pines Marina, Bass Lake , 12 miles away   Hotels Near Merced River - South Fork: Tin Lizzie Inn At Yosemite, Fish Camp , 8 miles away Tenaya Lodge, Fish Camp , 8 miles away Sierra Sky Ranch, An Ascend Hotel Collection Member, Oakhurst , 11 miles away Comfort Inn Yosemite Area, Oakhurst , 14 miles away Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn, Oakhurst , 14 miles away   Campgrounds Near Merced River - South Fork: Iron Lakes, Fish Camp, 4 miles away Fresno Dome Campground, Madera County, 5 miles away Boggy Meadow, Fish Camp, 5 miles away   Trails Near Merced River - South Fork: Chilnualna Fall Trail, Mariposa , 6 miles away,  7 hiking miles, 2879 feet elevation difference Mono Meadow Trail, Mariposa , 8 miles away,  5.2 hiking miles, 1019 feet elevation difference Buena Vista Trail, Madera , 9 miles away,  22.4 hiking miles, 2797 feet elevation difference Panorama Trail, Mariposa , 9 miles away, 7.1 hiking miles, 3896 feet elevation difference Mist Trail, Mariposa , 10 miles away,  2.8 hiking miles, 1214 feet elevation difference Four Mile Trail, Mariposa , 11 miles away, 3.7 hiking miles, 3869 feet elevation difference Half Dome Trail, Mariposa , 11 miles away,  11.6 hiking miles, 5142 feet elevation difference   Public Lands Near Merced River - South Fork: Yosemite National Park, Yosemite National Park - CA , 9 miles away Devils Postpile National Monument, Mammoth Lakes - CA , 55 miles away Sierra National Forest, California , 21 miles away Millerton Lake State Park, California , 32 miles away   Golf Courses Near Merced River - South Fork: Ahwahnee Golf Course, Oakhurst , 15 miles away River Creek Golf Course, Ahwahnee , 17 miles away   Lakes Near Merced River - South Fork Bare Island Lake, Madera , 4 miles away Givens Lake, Madera , 6 miles away Chiquito Lake, Madera , 7 miles away