Yosemite Activities for Every Adventurer
Break Away from the Ordinary
Yosemite means adventure. When you visit Yosemite National Park and Yosemite Mariposa County you’ll naturally shake off stale routines, breathe free, and (re)discover wild spaces — inside and out of the park. When most people picture Yosemite National Park, they think of outdoor adventure — horseback riding through Yosemite Valley, hiking to the top of Yosemite Falls, and scaling El Capitan.
Truth be told, the adventure activities are endless — there are marvelous sights to see, hundreds of miles of trails to be hiked, world class rock climbing, and streams and lakes to fish. Keep reading and let’s explore the adventurous Yosemite activities you’ll discover next.
Rafting
Drift lazily down the Merced River to view the iconic scenery of Yosemite Valley, or experience the high speeds and adrenaline rushes of whitewater rafting on a rafting trip led by expert guides in the spring and early summer after high country snow melts. Whichever you choose, be sure to enjoy a refreshing rafting trip on your visit to Yosemite Mariposa County.
Mount up for a guided tour of Yosemite Mariposa County by horseback. Beginners will love a two-hour horseback riding trip, and seasoned riders could even consider a ride into the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.
Hiking
Taking a day hike in Yosemite Mariposa County opens up worlds of scenery and natural beauty. Families love short stroller-friendly jaunts, like the one to the base of Yosemite Falls, while hard-chargers find challenges on the long hike to the top of Half Dome past icons like Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall.
Explore some of the world’s best hiking in Yosemite Mariposa County.
Yosemite National Park is one of the great rock climbing centers of the world. How could you visit an international epicenter of rock climbing like Yosemite, and not try it? Build trust, celebrate accomplishments, and earn incredible views.
If you’re ready to try rock climbing, check out the Yosemite Mountaineering School for daily climbing classes and guided climbs.
Winter Adventure Activities
There’s snow time like winter in Yosemite Mariposa County! Go downhill or cross-country skiing along Glacier Point Road at Badger Pass, admire the scenery on snowshoes, ice skate beneath epic snow-covered scenery at an outdoor ice rink, and more!
The quiet winter season beckons with an array of activities.
Experience the thrill of jumping out of a plane with thousands of feet of air beneath you in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Join the great people at Skydive Yosemite for an unobstructed view of Yosemite Mariposa County from the air. If you’ve always wanted to try skydiving, there is no better place to do it than here.
Swimming
Looking to take a dip in the water on a hot summer day? Good news, because Yosemite Mariposa County offers everything from cliff jumping to heated hotel pools to swims in Sierra lakes and the Merced River. Explore swimming, one of the most popular activities in the region, and get tips for swimming safely here.