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
- 1
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.
- 2
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.
- 3
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.
