59 Things to do near Merced River
first prev 1 2 3 next lastShowing results within 50 miles Distance miles of Southside Dr, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389, USA City, Zip, or Address
Cook's Meadow Loop
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
0.6 miles NWA nearly 1-mile, nearly flat loop in Sentinel Meadow with close-up views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Sentinel Rock — Yosemite's best easy walk.
Hike 4.6 mi
Four Mile Trail
Yosemite National Park
0.6 miles SA 4.7-mile one-way hike connecting Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point with views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, and the Royal Arches — best visited in spring when the falls run full.
Hike
Devil's Bathtub
Yosemite Valley, California
0.8 miles NEA warm, off-the-beaten-path pool fed by the Royal Arches Cascade just above Yosemite's Ahwanhee Hotel — great for families or a picnic near world-class climbing walls.
Swim 0.8 mi
Lower Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
0.8 miles NWA short, flat walk to the base of a 3,967-foot waterfall — twice the height of the Empire State Building and one of North America's tallest, best visited in spring or early summer before it dries.
Hike 2.9 mi
Upper Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
0.9 miles NThe tallest waterfall in North America at 2,425 feet — a 7.2-mile, 2,600-ft-gain hike to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls with stunning valley views along the way.
Hike 0.3 mi
Glacier Point
Yosemite National Park
1.1 miles SEPerched at 7,214 feet above Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point delivers bird's-eye views of Half Dome, El Capitan, and multiple waterfalls — accessible by car or a 4.7-mile hike.
Hike 15.9 mi
Valley Loop Trail
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
1.4 miles WAn 11.5-mile loop trail through the heart of Yosemite Valley following the Merced River past wildflower meadows, the Three Brothers, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Falls — with nearly no elevation gain.
Hike 1.9-2.9 mi
Mist Trail
Yosemite National Park
1.5 miles SEA steep, mist-soaked Yosemite staircase hike climbing 639 stone steps past Vernal and Nevada Falls — with Half Dome, Whitecap, and Mt. Broderick views from the switchbacks above.
Backpack, Hike 4.1 mi
North Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
1.6 miles NEA strenuous 10.4-mile hike through Yosemite forest to North Dome, rewarding hikers with the best straight-on view of Half Dome from 7,450 feet — plus a 0.6-mile detour to a 15-foot granite arch.
Backpack, Hike
Mirror Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
1.9 miles EA paved, car-free trail winds to this seasonal lake at the base of Half Dome, offering a still mirror reflection and a popular summer swimming hole.
Backpack, Hike, Swim 0.4-2.1 mi
Illilouette Falls
Yosemite West, Yosemite National Park
2.3 miles SEA 4-mile hike starting downhill from Glacier Point to a footbridge view of Illilouette Falls — with a side trip on the quieter Panorama Trail adding Half Dome and Nevada Falls views.
Hike 1.2 mi
Taft Point
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
2.3 miles SWA 5-mile Yosemite loop pairing Sentinel Dome with Taft Point, offering El Capitan views, dramatic cliff fissures, and 3,000-foot valley vistas — no guard rails, so watch your footing.
Hike
Horsetail Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
2.6 miles WFor a few weeks in mid-to-late February, Horsetail Falls glows orange with reflected sunset light — a rare 'firefall' phenomenon requiring clear skies and a parking permit.
Hike 2.1 mi
Snow Creek Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
3.1 miles NEA 2,140-foot, seven-drop cascade tucked deep in Tenaya Canyon — best spotted from the Mirror Lake Loop, where you can also take a swim before hunting for the falls from the Snow Creek Trail junction.
Backpack, Hike 0.2 mi
Ribbon Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
3.4 miles WThe longest single-drop waterfall in North America at 1,612 feet — seasonal and best seen in late morning when the sun hits it directly, visible from El Capitan Road as you enter Yosemite Valley.
Hike 0.2 mi
Bridalveil Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
3.9 miles SWA 620-foot waterfall that flows year-round and soaks onlookers with mist — Bridalveil Falls is just a quick half-mile paved walk from the trailhead, wheelchair accessible and pet friendly.
Hike 1.9 mi
Half Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
3.9 miles EA grueling 14-mile round-trip hike with 4,800 feet of gain to the summit of Half Dome, including a cable section in the final 400 feet — a permit is required and a sunrise start is essential.
Hike 1.7 mi
Mono Meadow
Yosemite West, Yosemite National Park
4.9 miles SA short, lightly trafficked 3-mile round-trip hike through a wildflower meadow recovering from wildfire, offering simultaneous views of Mt. Starr King, Clarke Range, and Half Dome.
Hike 0.5 mi
McGurk Meadow
Yosemite National Park
5.5 miles SWA flat, 0.8-mile walk through one of Yosemite's most secluded wildflower meadows, complete with a brook and a historic 1800s cabin — few visitors, pure charm.
Hike 0.7 mi
Lukens Lake
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
7.7 miles NA short 1.6-mile forest walk to a secluded lake famous for the luminescent shooting stars visible while you swim, plus a wildflower meadow that peaks in July.
Hike, Swim
