All riversYOSEMITE & SIERRA · CALIFORNIA

Tuolumne River

Go deeper into the wild.

Class IV+Main Tuolumne · Merals Pool to Wards Ferry

GET TO KNOW THE WATER

A little river perspective.

A remote canyon, substantial rapids, and a river trip that rewards serious preparation. The Main Tuolumne is a step up: leave room in your plan for scouting, logistics, and time away from everyday noise.

Remote canyonMulti-day adventuresTechnical whitewater

Know before you flow

The Main run is Class IV+, rising to Class V above 5,000 cfs per the Forest Service. Recreation.gov says permits are waived for the 2026 season and return in 2027. Verify current alerts and roads; this is not Cherry Creek.

FIND YOUR WAY TO THE WATER

Your starting points.

2 curated spots

A launch is only half a plan. Know your take-out, your shuttle, and the rules for each place.

LaunchCheck fees

Merals Pool

Main Tuolumne launch via Lumsden Road. The narrow, steep access road requires a current condition check.

Whitewater launchRemote access

Official details Find on map

Take-outCheck fees

Wards Ferry Bridge

Main-run take-out with a steep, narrow access road. Arrange shuttle and vehicle logistics in advance.

Take-outShuttle needed

Official details Find on map

Fees, facilities, and access can change. “Check fees” does not mean free. Maps are place searches, not verified turn-by-turn launch directions.

READ THE RIVER’S RHYTHM

Find your season.

Typical planning window: Spring–summer, release dependent. These are editorial planning notes, not an operating calendar.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Typical planning window · verify conditions

Spring

Check road opening, snowmelt, and the year’s administrative notices before making a launch plan.

Summer

Coordinate your trip with the release schedule. Some Wednesdays have minimized flows; confirm directly.

Fall

Late-season access depends on releases and road conditions. Check the current permit-year rules.

Winter

Remote access and seasonal conditions require a different level of planning. Do not assume roads are open.

A LITTLE LOCAL KNOWLEDGE GOES A LONG WAY

Go with the river people.

Explore trips and rentals directly with the operators. Confirm suitability, permits, pricing, cancellation terms, and the exact reach before you book.

EXTERNAL OPERATOR · BOOK DIRECTOARS · Main Tuolumne rafting

These are direct links, not on-site bookings. No affiliate tracking is used in this edition. A listing is not an endorsement or a guarantee of availability.

STRAIGHT FROM THE SOURCE

The details that matter.

OFFICIAL RESOURCERecreation.gov · Tuolumne river permits & alerts OFFICIAL RESOURCEUS Forest Service · Tuolumne Wild & Scenic River OFFICIAL RESOURCEUSGS · National Water Dashboard

Guide compiled October 11, 2026. Source pages may contain older material or newer alerts. No live flow or closure feed is connected; the managing agency’s current notices take priority.

Clinton Gould / US Forest Service · Public domain