Swinging Bridge
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The South Fork Merced can run dangerously fast during spring snowmelt, typically late April through mid-June — stay out of the water when the current looks swift, as cold water and slick rocks make self-rescue extremely difficult.
Supervise children closely near the river at all times, even in summer when flows look calm — underwater currents and sudden depth changes catch people off guard every year in Yosemite's rivers.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Park at the Wawona Swinging Bridge picnic area off Chilnualna Falls Road — the lot is small and fills by mid-morning on summer weekends, so arrive before 10 AM or wait until late afternoon when day-trippers clear out.
Bring a towel and water shoes if you're visiting between June and September — the granite slabs around the swimming hole are slippery when wet, and the river bottom has uneven rocks that punish bare feet.
Walk upstream from the bridge about five minutes for a quieter stretch of river with fewer crowds and better photo angles looking back toward the bridge with forest framing both sides.
