Either way, kayaking Tenaya Lake is the best way to rest your legs after a few days of steep trails, relax at the end of a long drive, or gaze up at your favorite alpine landmarks from a new perspective. (Other nonmotorized vessels, such as kayaks, are also permitted.). There is plenty to see and do right here, from kayaking on the water to climbing the magnificent domes above. There are some exceptions, however, where swimming is prohibited: Swimming in the Merced River is a popular way to cool off--but help protect the river by entering and exiting only on sandy beaches. Once you hit the lake, there's ample seating for folks who want to just chill by the lake. 5 Adults The normal take-out point is about 3 miles downstream at Sentina Beach Picnic Area; no river access is available between these two points. Youll be led by several experienced and knowledgeable guides who will make sure you have all the information necessary to navigate the most difficult sections of the streams. After a leisurely paddle, there's an abundance of hiking trails in the area to explore. Drive into Yosemite Park via Route 140, the El Portal Road, and continue into the valley. With Tenayas sandy, rocky bottom, its an idyllic spot to stop for a swim. Every seasoned traveler knows the value of slowing down and discovering the nuanced rewards of a single locale. I recommend calling ahead to avoid reaching the place and finding no kayaks available. Putting together a great packing list can be a challenge, especially for a trip that potentially includes hiking and camping as well as kayaking and other water sports. 5 lake and primitive restroom facilities, the When I explore a new lake, I usually spend most of my time near the coastline. Ive spent so much time in this part of Yosemite that hanging out in the center of the lake is like being surrounded by old friends. It is mainly referred to as the "Jewel of the High country." You will undoubtedly enjoy paddling through the waters. what it lacks in size, it makes up for in Ebbett's is north of Yosemite (but lower than the Tioga Pass, IIRC). As with anywhere else in Yosemite, the water is very cold. At your firstcrossroad,the Stoneman Bridge will be on your left. Here, PFDs must be available for every occupant of the raft, and all children under age 13 must wear one at all times. This is to help ensure the safety of all visitors to the park. In 2022 Yosemite national park added a parking curb on much of the HWY 120 Corridor through the park. Take a right after the Chapel in the park. Yosemite Valley Lodge Tour and Activity Desk, Half Dome Village Tour and Activities Kiosk, The Majestic Yosemite Hotel Concierge Desk. Tenaya Lake - Tenaya Lake - Find info about paddling launch sites including directions, ammenities, & fees to plan your next paddling trip! 1 Child 5 Children, Address: 7403 Yosemite Park Way. You can fish with a license. Kayaking or Stand-up Boards are great way to enjoy Tenaya Lake. 3 Yosemite kayaking is also allowed on Lake Tenaya. The surrounding granite peaks and domes add a striking visual backdrop whether youre picnicking, swimming or strolling its postcard-perfect shoreline along the Tenaya Lake Trail. For other info about Yosemite, please check the Top Questions on the right (full TripAdvisor website) as well as the NPS.gov pages. The perfectly waveless, calm water makes for great boating, canoeing and kayaking. by Laurie Case Wilhite. 3 Adults Boating and rafting are allowed when the gage height as measured at Pohono Bridge is below 7 feet at 8 am. A better option is to bring your own kayak and spend the day exploring the lake surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Kona Was It Scary? Kayaking on Tenaya Lake is an exercise in tranquility. Stately Pleasure Dome, Piwiak Dome, and Tenaya Peak call for the cams amidst a framework of alpine beauty thats hard to match. One of the standout landmarks along Tioga Road is the beautiful Tenaya Lake. Also, whenever you kayak in Yosemite, you are required to wear a life vest regardless of your age or ability. If You Want to Rent a Raft Rafting on the Merced River in Yosemite Valley requires no experience, and rafts can be rented at any of the following locations: enchanting alpine lake has drawn many 1 Adult Encounters with deer, Save money and have a better vacation experience by reserving one of our Yosemite cabins today. provides superb views. Most folks expect a much later than usual opening due to the abundant snowpack. Utah Lake. in a region of astonishing beauty, at 8,150 Keep reading to learn more about the best time to kayak at Yosemite, the best locations, guided tours, and some useful tips. Besides the outdoor pools available to the public during summer at Curry Village and Yosemite Valley Lodge, swimming is generally permitted in all bodies of water in the park. The cove is loved for its Caribbean-like feel, as its not as rocky as other beaches on the island, according to TripAdvisor, but only homeowners or guests staying in the town of West Tisbury are permitted to use the beach. Fishing regulations for Yosemite National Park. 1 ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-99464891', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Yosemite Valley river raft float trips open when the combination of air temperature & water temperature is at least 100 degrees AND the river is low enough to float under the bridges. are not allowed. There are several options or paddling in Yosemite, depending on if you are bringing your own equipment or wish to rent inner tubes or rafts and accessories. For most people this would use up way too much vacation time to justify driving that far. Every occupant of a boat, raft, or inflatable must wear a personal flotation device each day when the gage height at Pohono Bridge is above 4 feet at 8 am. Accommodation is included, as youll be sleeping at a riverside camping spot, for a truly immersive experience. They dont announce the opening dates for Tioga Pass Road until mid-May or so. Tenaya Lake is popular for for picnicking, swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, and canoeing. problem as you might experience at other If you have your own kayaks ready to go. How to get there: Tenaya Lake is about 20 minutes east of Tuolumne Meadows and the Tuolumne River along Tioga Rd (Hwy 120). The area is open again this season for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Valley is at a much lower altitude, which is why it is beautiful and accessible in May. Kayaking is a popular way to enjoy the calm waters of Tenaya Lake. Pro Tip: The UV index tends to soar with elevation, making a Sierra sunburn something to actively avoid. Canoeing, kayaking, raftering and tubing on this portion of the river under certain conditions: If you are using your own equipment, you can purchase a ticket for the shuttle bus ride back to Half Dome Village at the end of the trip for $5.00. miles shallow freshwater lake lying in Utah Valley. With Tenaya Lakes 8,150 foot elevation, most folks prefer late season swims. Tenaya Lake fits this bill to a capital T. Located 77 miles (124 km) from the Gold Rush gem of Mariposa, the blue snowmelt-fed waters of Tenaya Lake send out a clarion call to visitors who want to explore Yosemite in one day while still having the option of comfy accommodations outside the Park. Created by branch of the Tuolumne Glacier . Known for outstanding hiking These iconic scenes seem to appear and disappear with every bend. There are fewer more fulfilling pursuits than Yosemite Mariposa picnicking. Comfortable swimsuit or wetsuit, depending on the weather and season. 4 On another thread, FresnoFacts posted this youtube about the initial approach to Ebbett's Pass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHA9I8XoUtM&feature=youtu.be. Olmsted Point is a delightful place to stop for sunset, and view of the other side of Half Dome. 2 Adults Whether you rent a kayak or bring your own you'll be wowed by the granite peaks that border three sides of the lake. The road will still be closed for the winter. Also go paddling early in the morning or late in the evening when Tenaya Lake tends to be the calmest. Maybe another inch or two has fallen. Curry Village is mainly known for the beautiful cabins available for those who love a good glamping trip. Water temperature will be incredibly cold and will probably not reach 50 degrees. Tenaya Lake is encircled by Mt. still one can see flawless reflections of Under the stone bridges that span the river every so often, you'll encounter many trout-filled eddies in the clear water. Although challenging, this spot can be incredible for boating as there it is completely immersed in pristine nature and is never as crowded as other Yosemite locations are. hiking trails in the area to explore. You can leave your car here. This glacial lake might be too cold for swimming, but that doesnt make it any less peaceful and enjoyable. Late summer. Located in the high country of Tuolumne Meadows, among the (somewhat) less-visited parts of Yosemite, Tuolumne is my favorite area to explore. The Jewel of the High Country, Tenaya Lake. There are no kayak rentals available at Tenaya Lake or anywhere in Yosemite National Park. With Hawaiis countless stunning beaches, its tough to pick one with the most beautiful waters, but Waimanalo Beach in Oahu certainly ranks. Rules require that two capable paddlers be in each raft, and children under 50 lbs. The Merced is at or near peak flow then, though, so no kayaking. The paddling season is typically Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows on But a variety of options are available for paddling the scenic Merced River in the bottom of Yosemite Valley, offering unique views of some of the park's most famous sights. You dont even need to be near an ocean. The (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Diana Falls & Swimming Hole. ' Rafting Green River, Utah ' by Ken Lund is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. and unique views, not to mention the chance to drop a line for High Country trout. Get GUIDE A nylon shell jacket can make a difference in bad weather. You may put in and take out your boat/raft at Stoneman Bridge and Sentinel Beach, but not anywhere between. The summer is surely the best time to visit the National Park if you also intend to camp and hike. The parking lot has multiple restrooms and the lake is a 5 minute walk (not a hike) from the parking lot. Most people put in along the Merced River at Stoneman Bridge (near Curry Village) and take out at Sentinel Beach Picnic Area, under the following conditions: This section of river is open to boating and rafting each day when the gage height at Pohono Bridge is below 7 feet at 8 am. It is roughly 15 miles from the East gate on top of Tioga Pass or 50 miles / 1.5hr drive from Yosemite Valley. Though just over a mile long, its granite-encircled shores provide paddlers with flat water (beginners welcome!) Surrounded by Tenaya Lake. The west end of this lake feels farthest from the road and has the calmest, most reflective waters. While hiking at Yosemite is the most popular option, kayaking is also a great way to explore, immersed (literally) in the natural beauty of the National Park. This East Coast gem has some of the bluest waters on Marthas Vineyard. With so many activities available in Yosemite National Park, paddling by canoe, kayak, or raft is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. Our friendly staff looks forward to answering your questions about our great Yosemite lodging options. Below is a list of some of the bluest waters in the U.S., from glass-like glacial lakes to a lake within a collapsed volcano crater, to a mineral-rich crystal blue creek in the Grand Canyon. 9 The season for stream and river fishing begins on the last Saturday in April and continues through November 15. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM. No water will be navigable in May. Why? there is no better place to be than paddling Id say buckle up, but that wouldnt be possible, so brace yourself for some thrilling river rafting. Tenaya Lake is sandwiched by two nearby attractions that are easily explored during your one day in Yosemite high country. They haven't even started plowing Tioga Road yet, and the daytime highs up there are in the 30's. Most folks expect a much later than usual opening due to the abundant snowpack. As the Merced twists and turns along the Yosemite Valley floor, paddlers are treated to views of Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. This alpine lake surrounded by mountains offers a spectacular view and a day's worth of fun for boating enthusiasts. Kayaking is allowed in this section of the river from 10:00am to 6:00pm, unless otherwise stated. It is a great place to go kayaking, as the scenery is breathtaking and the water is calm and serene. Difficulty: Easy Closest kayak rental location: The Padyak Shack, Merced, CA (115 mi) This lake takes its name from Chief Tenaya, a prominent Ahwahnechee Indian leader who died in 1853. Sign up for the Morning Brief email newsletter to get weekday updates from The Weather Channel and our meteorologists. On the Merced River: When bringing their own gear, you normally put in along the Merced River at Stoneman Bridge, near Half-Dome Village. Mirror Lakes famous spring-time reflections capture the eye and mind. Unfortunately there arent very many rental options. Children If you love fighting rapids in low water and difficult conditions, the Tuolumne River is the place for you. Some years the river can be quite low by mid-August. Night time it's dropping to the 20's. The Weather Companys primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. Tenaya lake is an absolutely stunning glacial lake located in the Eastern part of Yosemite national park ! The relatively short and easy trail connects the scenic vistas and rocky coves of the west end to the broad beach and picnic areas of the lake's east end. Paddling to the other side and back. The 730 mile long river starts in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming and flows through Wyoming and Utah. Someone recently posted a link to the results of the latest snow surveyI think Tenaya Lake had around 9 feet of snow. Two designated Yosemite trailheads Sunrise Lakes and Murphy Creek strike out from Tenaya Lake providing the intrepid trekker a chance to explore such High Country all-stars as Clouds Rest and Polly Domes Lake. It's a mile (1.6 km) long and bordered on three sides by granite peaks and domes. A trip to southern Utah can offer multiple opportunities for canoeing and kayaking. For most people this would use up way too much vacation time to justify driving that far. However, if you have time to spare and are on a flexible schedule renting kayaks in Merced might be an option. Whether you choose a day trip on the Colorado River, a multiple day escape . 3 Nights Taking only 130 days to complete with nothing but hand tools and blast powder, Tioga Road spans the Sierra divide providing expansive vistas, geologic wonders and lush conifer forests with every turn. The only drawback is that Tioga Road passes along the lake's northern edge, but this is easily overlooked. Before leaving for your trip, be sure to check out the specific fishing rules concerning baits, hooks, and possession limits. Tenaya is different. Tenaya Lake is a wonderland combination of Two great choices for a nice hike are the Sunrise Lakes Trailhead and Murphy Creek Trailhead, both located close to the lakeshore. This alpine lake surrounded by mountains offers a spectacular view and a days worth of fun for boating enthusiasts. About This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Visitors to Tenaya Lake earn their splash rewards with a refreshing Yosemite Mariposa swim in a High Country pool unlike any other. Siesta Lake is an alpine lake located along the Tioga Road to the south, about 13 miles east of the Crane Flat Gas Station. This is one of the most exciting spots in Yosemite to raft and kayak, with its difficulty level rated at Class IV+. beauty. Any non-motorized boat is allowed on the lake during the day. Learn what to expect from Mirror Lake in various seasons. At times conditions in the Merced River can become too dangerous for kayaking, and it is important to stay out of the water when so advised by park rangers. Folks driving through the park who arent up for even a couple miles of hiking will often stop here, snap a few Instagram photos, then head on down the road to the Tuolumne Meadows Grill. | Tioga Pass Road, which closes in the Scenery Factor: Tenaya Lake may be the most beautiful of all Yosemite's lakes. 7/27/2021. Exploring Merced River by boat is especially fun because of the many hidden beaches youll be able to spot from the water. elevation in Yosemite National Park, between Help the community if you have information to share! A Kayaking on Merced River and Lake Tenaya If you have your own kayaks ready to go. From the west end of Tenaya Lake Stately Pleasure Dome rises out from the waters edge on the right. The sandy shoreline on the northeast end of the lake brings the beach a little closer to the heavens, while sunbathing on the toasty rocks brings the Vitamin D levels to peak wellness. There are many options available, with even multiple-day organized trips. There are also many different types of fish that can be found in the lake, making it a great spot for fishing as well. The blue water is nearly 2,000 feet deep, making it the deepest lake in the U.S., and is still and calm, reflecting the Cascade mountain range which surrounds the waters. Boating in Yosemite is also possible during fall, however, you may encounter bad weather and cold temperatures. Though just over a mile long, its granite-encircled shores provide paddlers with flat water (beginners welcome!) Its an ideal location for a picnic or a quick swim in the clear cold waters. The trip starts strong with some thrilling whitewater rafting at Cherry Creek and carries on the next days with more relaxing watering holes. Insider Hints for Tenaya Lake Trail If you want to take your time on the river and not worry about catching the shuttle bus, it is best to leave your car at the take-out before getting on the river. It's also a great spot for kayaking or fishing. The iconic Green River is not just home to delicious melons but is also an popular destination for some kayaking. leisurely paddle, theres an abundance of Yes, Tenaya Lake has Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Brook Trout among other species. 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