Swinging Bridge Picnic Area Yosemite National Park CA
Swinging Bridge Picnic Area Yosemite National Park CA
Swinging Bridge Picnic Area Yosemite National Park CA
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Swinging Bridge Picnic Area Yosemite National Park CA and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
30 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
14
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
WanderingWithUsTwo
Phoenix, AZ796 contributions
Aug 2019
We came across this particular spot a few years ago during our first visit. The name of the location comes from a bridge that takes you over the water to access the other side of the riverbank. Despite the name it is actually anchored into the ground so there’s no need to fear that it may swing. Because of this higher viewpoint over the water it also provides for some nice photo opportunities. This location also provides area along the water for people to set up chairs to lounge and walk into the water via the small beaches. There are spots with wooden tables that are first come first serve so if you want to bring out your food and stay here for the day it is also an option. They offer a couple of non-flush restrooms here which is good if you’ll be spending a long time here. This water is very cold but you will still see a lot of people getting in and cooling off, especially during the summer months. If you would rather not get in all the way but still want to enjoy the streams of the park and lounge there are also options to raft through the river between 10AM-6PM. This varies depending on the daily current so it’s best to check in with park officials to see the current conditions and assure that your flotation device is good to go. If you do not have any flotation device you can also rent one from the Curry Village Center in the middle of the park. We got to watch the sunset here and really enjoyed the peace and quiet and recommend this place to come visit between hikes to cool off!
- @wanderingwithustwo
- @wanderingwithustwo
Written June 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RoP
Los Angeles, CA69 contributions
Mar 2022
One of the most beautiful places on our earth! It looks like a postcard. There is a view of the waterfall in front of your with its picture relected in the calm clear river water flowing beneath you. There are trees on both sides and fields, serene green fields. You can stand on the bridge and feel one with nature or sit at either side of the river and enjoy. the tranquility. There are picnic tables on one of the sides of the river, a small parking area, and a bathroom. It is about a ten-minute walk from the Yosemite Valley Lodge.
Written March 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China176,214 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
The Swinging Bridge Picnic Area is a beautiful location within Yosemite Valley. From here, you can enjoy picnics and walking through meadows with excellent valley views. This is where we found some of the most beautiful areas for photography in Yosemite National Park.
During our April visit, the Merced was flowing nicely creating fair sized body of water that acted as a perfect reflection lake, capturing the entire north side ridge of the valley. With blue skies, the views in the early morning were remarkable.
We particularly enjoyed the views from the Swinging bridge (mind you, it is a fixed bridge that doesn't swing). This is where we took our most memorable photographs in the direction of Yosemite Falls which was within perfect view from this location.
We also enjoyed walking around the trails in this area through meadows that ran along the Merced River. Just a truly beautiful area.
Note that there is a fair sized parking lot with toilet facilities that you can access from the Southside Drive. There was plenty of parking during our early morning visit. However, later in the day when we passed by again, the lot was full with numerous vehicles waiting for parking space here.
During our April visit, the Merced was flowing nicely creating fair sized body of water that acted as a perfect reflection lake, capturing the entire north side ridge of the valley. With blue skies, the views in the early morning were remarkable.
We particularly enjoyed the views from the Swinging bridge (mind you, it is a fixed bridge that doesn't swing). This is where we took our most memorable photographs in the direction of Yosemite Falls which was within perfect view from this location.
We also enjoyed walking around the trails in this area through meadows that ran along the Merced River. Just a truly beautiful area.
Note that there is a fair sized parking lot with toilet facilities that you can access from the Southside Drive. There was plenty of parking during our early morning visit. However, later in the day when we passed by again, the lot was full with numerous vehicles waiting for parking space here.
Written May 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
abichloe1990
Fenny Compton, UK96 contributions
Sept 2017 • Friends
So many colours, the yellow fields and green trees against the dark mountains and a family of deer strolling by. The very narrow river reflecting these colours.
Sheer natural beauty.
One of my favourite places that I visited in America.
Sheer natural beauty.
One of my favourite places that I visited in America.
Written December 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Waddler
York, UK12,536 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
From the bridge there is a picture postcard view to Yosemite Falls along the river (although it wouldn't normally be flowing in August - this was an unusual year).
The beach is stony rather than sandy, but still good for a play or swim (when the river is sufficiently calm, be careful about that) and offers good views of the valley walls.
Its a short walk from Yosemite Valley Lodge. If you manage to park here you can also treat it as an extension to the Lower Yosemite Falls trail or even Cooks Meadow.
The beach is stony rather than sandy, but still good for a play or swim (when the river is sufficiently calm, be careful about that) and offers good views of the valley walls.
Its a short walk from Yosemite Valley Lodge. If you manage to park here you can also treat it as an extension to the Lower Yosemite Falls trail or even Cooks Meadow.
Written September 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claire K
Hove, UK1,960 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Yet again we’ve been blown away by just how beautiful California is-especially now at Yosemite. You can’t begin to explain how incredible this park is-words just don’t describe the feeling you get-standing here in a total wonder of nature. Breathtaking eyeachingly stunning. A piece of Heaven.
Written March 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve
Santa Fe, NM64 contributions
Nov 2019
This is very accessible from the road. We were there in early November and parking was available, but November was an off time.
If you go from April through October, be sure to take advantage of the free shuttle system; as driving and parking would be a major issue.
If you go from April through October, be sure to take advantage of the free shuttle system; as driving and parking would be a major issue.
Written November 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paprika
San Francisco, CA70 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
Majestic scenery! Park was very crowded and parking was pretty full by 10 am on a week day. Also, the free shuttles were very crowded. Otherwise, it was a spectacular experience!!!
Written July 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pamela L
Sacramento, United States45 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
We spent a wonderful day at the Swinging Bridge picnic area. However, we did run out of drinks and had to go get more, so I want to emphasize there is NO running water of any kind at this picnic area. In summer it is hot and dry in the valley so be sure to bring more than you think you will need because you will get thirsty. There are pit toilets which aren't wonderful but aren't terrible either. We visited in July 2018 and there is a shortage of shuttle drivers this summer (possibly because some had to be diverted to Mariposa Grove which just opened June 15th...?), so it can take much longer than usual to get places on the shuttles (like to get more drinks...) during peak hours (pretty much 10am-6pm). That said, here's what made our day so wonderful: Swinging Bridge picnic area is a gorgeous spot beside a nice wide area of the Merced River. When we visited in July the water was shallow and gently flowing enough for people of all ages to enjoy playing in it (safety precautions being observed, of course). There is also a lovely meadow with a view of Yosemite Falls nearby. We brought along inflatable inner tubes and a manual pump and some of us floated down to Sentinal Beach and walked back up. The kids also had a blast playing with the inner tubes in the river near the picnic area. One of the best things about this picnic area given we were staying at Half Dome Village in the tent cabins was that we could use the charcoal barbecues to cook out and make s'mores! All in all it was a really terrific day and I highly recommend this picnic area.
Written July 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
juvemeister
Port Orchard, WA415 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
This is such a wonderful area of the park. We happened to spot it when we returning to Yosemite Valley Village on the shuttle from El Capitan. Glad we hopped off. The wife and I took a nice stroll along the river's edge, approaching the Swinging Bridge from the west. Wonderful setting - trees, shade, picnic tables, restrooms just off the road. The bridge area itself is very scenic, with excellent views of a number of mountain features from very different perspectives than we were used to. Loved the beach and sandbar areas where people were sunning themselves and dipping their feet in the water. This is a very user friendly area, great for picnicking and a short walk from several shuttle stops, or the shoulder parking spots along the road. We decided to follow the trail on the other side of the bridge and follow it back to our room at Yosemite Valley Lodge. It was a very relaxing trek and not nearly as long as I thought it would be. Nice to be away from the road for a while and the hustle and bustle of cars, RVs, etc. Wunderbar!
Written October 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How far is the swinging bridge/beach and river from the Yosemite Valley Lodge? Does the trail connect to the Lower Falls Trail of Yosemite Falls? Is the trail paved?
Written February 3, 2018
Showing results 1-1 of 1
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing