Take a right and head in the opposite direction from the bridge just a short distance. When I explore a new lake, I usually spend most of my time near the coastline. The road will still be closed for the winter. by Laurie Case Wilhite. Its shallowest here, and surprisingly warm. And its your first trip to Yosemite, they just might become the highlights of your trip. Tenaya Lake is sandwiched by two nearby attractions that are easily explored during your one day in Yosemite high country. Tenaya lake is located along the Route 120 through the park. Yes, Tenaya Lake is a popular kayaking and swimming destination in Yosemite National Park. Its very convenient to rent here as you dont necessarily have to rent the kayak for the whole day. Emerging through the pines, its waters look as though theyre poised to lap over the road while up ahead the steep, smooth granite of Stately Pleasure Dome meets the unrelenting rise of Tenaya Peak (10,306 ft/3,141 m) forming a gauntlet of granite where Tenaya Creek feeds the lake with pure snowmelt in spring. Another good option for rentals is Curry Village Recreation Center, also located near Merced River. http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tiogaopen.htm. miles shallow freshwater lake lying in Utah Valley. Because, as the saying goes, its there. The can be done in part or in full (2.5 mile loop/4 km) with minimum elevation gain and maximum views. HERE | Contact, Copyright 2013 to Present, Janice L Green Paddling Its not uncommon to see people swimming and wading at the base of the waterfall. My recollection was that parking seemed to fill up around the lake, so in that regard it may be good to get in a bit early. granite peaks on three sides, Tenaya Lakes Putting together a great packing list can be a challenge, especially for a trip that potentially includes hiking and camping as well as kayaking and other water sports. If you havent already explored this part of the park, I recommend combining your Tenaya paddle with a hike up Mt Hoffman, Lembert Dome, another nearby peak. After kayaking all morning, you can grab lunch at the Tenaya Lake Picnic Area, then hit one of the few panoramic trails nearby. For most people this would use up way too much vacation time to justify driving that far. With Tenaya Lakes 8,150 foot elevation, most folks prefer late season swims. ' Rafting Green River, Utah ' by Ken Lund is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Either way, kayaking Tenaya Lake is the best way to rest your legs after a few days of steep trails, relax at the end of a long drive, or gaze up at your favorite alpine landmarks from a new perspective. I have a goal to visit all 50 states. Children But you dont have to leave the country to see gorgeous water. 1 Night You have two paddling options in the park: Tenaya Lake and the Merced River. On Tenaya Lake: Kayaking is popular on the calm Tenaya Lake. There are no kayak rentals available at Tenaya Lake or anywhere in Yosemite National Park. Unfortunately there arent very many rental options. Scenery Factor: Tenaya Lake may be the most beautiful of all Yosemite's lakes. Every person must have a personal flotation device immediately available for each occupant of the raft/boat (and children under age 13 must be wearing one). Besides fishing and swimming, Utah Lake is also an excellent spot for canoeing and kayaking. They have solo and double kayak rentals for 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours ( day) and 8 hours (all day). You can rent a raft (typically in June and July, but it varies from year to year depending on water level) or bring your own. Rafting along the Merced River is popular during summer. Surrounded by bare granite peaks in all directions, from Tenaya Peak to the east to Polly Dome and Pywiack Dome to the north, Tenaya Lake tempts all tourists driving by to pull over and relax for a bit. Besides the outdoor pools available to the public during summer at Curry Village and Yosemite Valley Lodge, swimming is generally permitted in all bodies of water in the park. Canoeing and kayaking allows people of all ages and varied abilities to experience paddling the serenity of calm water or the challenge of maneuvering whitewater. 4 The lake's parking lot is located close to the boat access point, so you'll have no trouble transporting the kayaks from the car to the water. You can kayak all along the Merced River from Stoneman Bridge in Curry Village down to Sentinel Point Beach. This is an excellent, family-friendly hike. Due to environmental concerns, the park concession is no longer renting tubes, so youll need a car shuttle to kayak Yosemite Valley. Yosemite does have a few first-come-first-serve areas but they change the rules just about every year, so do your research. 3 Read Next The My husband and I are planning to visit Yosemite the second week of May. This is a great location for kayaking beginners who enjoy floating surrounded by stunning nature. Tenaya Lake: Kayaking in October - See 366 traveler reviews, 366 candid photos, and great deals for Yosemite National Park, CA, at Tripadvisor. 8 Amidst a backdrop of light colored granite rocks the lake is a popular destination for kayaking, canoeing, sailing and fishing. Let us introduce you to some of the unique giant sequoia groves in the Yosemite Mariposa County area the Merced, Tuolumne, and Mariposa Groves are inside Yosemite National Park, and the Nelder Grove is just outside the park boundary to the south. For example. We update our blog weekly, so be sure to visit frequently to get the latest news. No trips have been created that use this paddling location. 3 Youll also receive fitness information before the trip to allow you to avoid beginners mistakes. As for me I chose to paddle Tenaya for that new perspective. Whether you rent a kayak or bring your own you'll be wowed by the granite peaks that border three sides of the lake. At the Padyak Shak, youll find solo kayaks, tandem kayaks, as well as equipment for stand-up paddleboards, and catamaran stand-up paddleboards. It is a tiny lake, but Before leaving for your trip, be sure to check out the specific fishing rules concerning baits, hooks, and possession limits. Best Places to Kayak in California. Also go paddling early in the morning or late in the evening when Tenaya Lake tends to be the calmest. Fishing regulations for Yosemite National Park follow those set by the state of California, including the requirement that people 16 or older have a valid California fishing license. Easy roadside access makes this Land of Shining Rocks perfect for seniors who cant walk great distances, not to mention kids who can but dont want to. Also, be sure youre coming to South Fork Merced River with all the necessary equipment to kayak in complete safety. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Help the paddling community! Stately Pleasure Dome, Piwiak Dome, and Tenaya Peak call for the cams amidst a framework of alpine beauty thats hard to match. Here, too, each person on the craft must have a PFD available, and children under age 13 must wear them at all times. Mirror Lakes famous spring-time reflections capture the eye and mind. . If you intend to go for a shorter boating trip and spend the rest of the day hiking or relaxing, you can rent the kayaks for 4 hours at half of the price, or even rent for just 1 hour. Yosemite has amazing campgrounds. Unfortunately, there is nowhere to rent kayaks within the Park, so you'll have to bring your own. The first stop of your Yosemite kayaking trip can be Tenaya Lake. Rules require that two capable paddlers be in each raft, and children under 50 lbs. 5 Nights, Adults The road to the lake normally opens up in May, though depending on snow it might . The parking lot has multiple restrooms and the lake is a 5 minute walk (not a hike) from the parking lot. The only drawback is that Tioga Road passes along the lake's northern edge, but this is easily overlooked. 5. The Curry Village Recreation Center, where you can also rent rafts and bikes, will be on the right. The best months for kayaking on Tenaya Lake are July and August when the weather is warmest.. With Hawaiis countless stunning beaches, its tough to pick one with the most beautiful waters, but Waimanalo Beach in Oahu certainly ranks. You dont even need to be near an ocean. With a cool Sierra breeze skimming its cerulean waters and a bounty of things to do, Tenaya Lake is the perfect spot for a deep dive when one day in Yosemite Mariposa is your travel du jour. Raft reservations are in heavy demand, so try to reserve a raft at least one day in advance. Located at the Havasupai Indian Reservation within the Grand Canyon, Havasu Falls has unbelievably crystal blue waters due to the calcium carbonate and magnesium that occur naturally in Havasu Creek. This alpine lake surrounded by mountains offers a spectacular view and a day's worth of fun for boating enthusiasts. Boating in Yosemite is also possible during fall, however, you may encounter bad weather and cold temperatures. Tenaya Lake on a windless day, with water so Night time it's dropping to the 20's. On another thread, FresnoFacts posted this youtube about the initial approach to Ebbett's Pass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHA9I8XoUtM&feature=youtu.be. A short carry up the beach will take you to a picnic area where buses are waiting to shuttle rafters back to the Curry Village Recreation Area. (Getty Images), The otherworldly Palouse Falls is seen in southeast Washington. The 3-day tour can cost up to $1000 per person, but it can be worth it as it takes the whole planning aspect out of your hands, and it ensures a planned-out comprehensive kayaking experience. As elsewhere around the park, be careful not to cut through grassy meadows (walk around them instead) and avoid trampling fragile riparian areas near the lakeshore. It's also a great spot for kayaking or fishing. Though just over a mile long, its granite-encircled shores provide paddlers with flat water (beginners welcome!) by Tom Gaffey. Difficulty: Easy Closest kayak rental location: The Padyak Shack, Merced, CA (115 mi) This lake takes its name from Chief Tenaya, a prominent Ahwahnechee Indian leader who died in 1853. This glacial lake might be too cold for swimming, but that doesnt make it any less peaceful and enjoyable. The season for stream and river fishing begins on the last Saturday in April and continues through November 15. Rafting on the Merced River in Yosemite Valley requires no experience, and rafts can be rented at any of the following locations: The fee for renting a raft (holding as many as four people) is $27.50 per person. Though just over a mile long, its granite-encircled shores provide paddlers with flat water (beginners welcome!) You can also walk along the lake shore, swim (but the water may be cold! Olmsted Point is a delightful place to stop for sunset, and view of the other side of Half Dome. (From Hoffman, youll look down on Tenaya Lake and Half Dome.). Not sure when the big river rafts start running - you can check in the park newspaper or google Merced River Rafting Trips. Lake Tenaya Located in the Alpine region of Yosemite National Park is Lake Tenaya. You can also swim in the lake but the water is very cold. If You Want to Rent a Raft Rafting on the Merced River in Yosemite Valley requires no experience, and rafts can be rented at any of the following locations: The Tenaya Lake Trail runs along the lake's southern shore under the shade of lodgepole pine. The island is an easy day trip from San Juan, the U.S. territorys capital. Exploring Merced River by boat is especially fun because of the many hidden beaches youll be able to spot from the water. If you love fighting rapids in low water and difficult conditions, the Tuolumne River is the place for you. A nylon shell jacket can make a difference in bad weather. northern edge so the lake is hard to miss. The west end of this lake feels farthest from the road and has the calmest, most reflective waters. Tenaya Lake is an Alpine lake lying between Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows. Kayaking on Tenaya Lake is an exercise in tranquility. problem as you might experience at other Sign up for the Morning Brief email newsletter to get weekday updates from The Weather Channel and our meteorologists. The water is crystal clear. The Weather Companys primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. Stretching through Yosemite National Park for almost 150 miles, the river is blessed with peaceful and serene waters. When Cities Meet The Water: America's Top Urban Paddling Destinations. Difficulty: Easy. Snow-capped peaks surround Jenny Lake, which is one of the most popular spots within Grand Teton National Park. Two designated Yosemite trailheads Sunrise Lakes and Murphy Creek strike out from Tenaya Lake providing the intrepid trekker a chance to explore such High Country all-stars as Clouds Rest and Polly Domes Lake. Water temperatures are between 40F-65F year-round. You can fish with a license. Encounters with deer, Why? Despite the company you may find. Located along Bean Creek near the historic town of Coulterville, this relaxing jaunt (1.4 miles out & back) leads to one of those old-fashioned swimming holes where Kodak memories are made. Help the community if you have information to share! Kayaking the Mouth of the Columbia River's Tidal Influences. If you want to take your time on the river and not worry about catching the shuttle bus, it is best to leave your car at the take-out before getting on the river. 9 There is plenty to see and do right here, from kayaking on the water to climbing the magnificent domes above. Canoeing, kayaking, raftering and tubing on this portion of the river under certain conditions: If you are using your own equipment, you can purchase a ticket for the shuttle bus ride back to Half Dome Village at the end of the trip for $5.00. Taking only 130 days to complete with nothing but hand tools and blast powder, Tioga Road spans the Sierra divide providing expansive vistas, geologic wonders and lush conifer forests with every turn. Youll just need to see them for yourself. wintertime. Tenaya Lake (above) is one of the easiest to get to (when the Tioga Road is open, late May or early June to sometime in November) and is quite popular for picnicking, swimming, and canoeing. The 730 mile long river starts in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming and flows through Wyoming and Utah. Tenaya Lake. lake and primitive restroom facilities, the Copyright 1994-Present Scenic Wonders, Inc. All rights reserved. Enjoy a day at the beach at the east end of Tenaya Lake. 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