Five different whitewater rafting trips are available on the Merced River, a nationally designated wild and scenic river. Zephyr Whitewater Expeditions is one of several rafting companies operating trips down the Merced. Their offices are located adjacent to the Indian Flat RV Park and Cedar Lodge in El Portal.

The Merced river tumbles and twists out of Yosemite Valley, gradually mellowing into a runnable whitewater river just below the town of El Portal. It is there that whitewater trips begin. Offering abundant whitewater confined by a narrow corridor, this river is a must for the whitewater enthusiast with one of the best whitewater rafting paddle-boat trips in California.

For part of its course, the Merced follows the old Yosemite railroad bed, passing abandoned gold mines and water flumes. On longer trips, rafters experience the Merced’s famous “Quarter Mile Rapid”- over 500 yards of exceptional white water. Just below this intense section is a 20-foot waterfall which rafters must portage (which involves lining or carrying the rafts around the waterfall).

Half-day trips leave from Indian Flat and travel 11 miles downstream to Briceburg. Lunch is not included. (April to end of season)

One-day trips are the most popular on the Merced and travel from Indian Flat to Railroad Flat. The all-day trips include lunch and vary from Class III to Class IV and covers 16 miles (April through Mid-July)

And, two-day trips include two full days of rafting and travel 26 miles from Indian Flat to Bagby. Rafters camp overnight along the way, though because camping gear can be delivered by truck to the campsite, all rafters ride on paddle rafts and no one has to go on a gear raft.

Half and full day trips operated by Zephyr meet at Zephyr’s Indian office beside the Indian Flat RV Park in El Portal, about eight miles from Yosemite National Park. Zephyr’s 2-day trips meet in Midpines next to the MidPines post office in the large YARTS parking area. Tent or RV camping is available at Indian Flat and the nearest lodging is the Yosemite Cedar Lodge.