Yosemite’s Hidden Gem: Tenaya Waterslide
SHARING IS CARING!
UPDATED POST: May 8, 2022
We all know that Yosemite National Park is an adventure mecca filled with epic activities but did you know that there is a water slide inside the park? No, I am not talking about colorful, looping, theme park water slides. I am talking hidden natural waterslide within a massive granite canyon type water slide. Yes! YNP has it and it is soooooo much fun!!! Getting there? That’s another story…
This is one of those hike-at-your-own-risk “trails”. You WILL be scaling a smooth granite canyon and will be off trail for most of the hike. Some parts of the canyon are dangerous and unnerving and one wrong move could spell disaster. Plus, there is no cell service in this area or most of the park areas, for that matter. Still with me? That being said, if you are extremely careful and are pretty confident about your navigational skills, then you will be rewarded with an exhilarating run down one of Mother Nature’s best waterslides.
WHEN TO GO
The Tenaya Creek waterslide is a 100-ft long smooth granite waterslide which dumps into a 3-ft deep swimming hole. Mid to late summer would be the best time to go as Tenaya Creek’s high water volume during spring brings about fast-flowing rapids that could be dangerous. The adventurous ones slide down sans inner tubes - on their bum or belly. We came prepared with inflatable inner tubes because we didn’t fancy scraped knees/elbows and bruised tailbones.
Be careful - super slippery surfaces…
WHAT TO PACK
HOW TO GET THERE
This hidden gem can’t be found in any Yosemite Park map. The hike to the waterslide is mostly off-trail but if you follow the creek, you will find it. Park/start at the Sunrise trailhead and just follow the dirt trail.
Trail Tip
Don’t leave home without the bug spray. Mosquitoes are active during the summer months in Yosemite National Park. With all the rivers, lakes and waterfalls here, it becomes the perfect breeding ground for these insects.
Soon, you will get to a shallow part of Tenaya Creek which you will cross through a series of stepping stones.
From there, you will follow a faint trail along the east side of the creek.
Stay along the creek’s edge where you will eventually be hiking on large slabs of rock. Be safe and keep some distance from the edge. Some parts of the “trail” gave me the heebie jeebies looking down the steep slope.
Keep going until you see a large granite rock canyon with a small waterfall. Continue on down the smooth rock following the waterfall.
Be careful going down as the rock is smooth and at times, slippery. A and the other kids in our group (ages 9-11) had no trouble traversing the tricky terrain in sneakers and running shoes. I had one or two close calls so this brings me to my second trail tip.
Trail Tip
Wear appropriate hiking shoes or shoes with traction. You will find yourself scrambling in some areas so you will want a shoe that will grip the ground and prevent you from sliding around.
Just a short distance below, you will find the water slide and a swimming hole at the very bottom. Yay! Time to bust out those inner tubes.
When you get to the waterslide, there are a lot of flat areas for laying out and enjoying a picnic. Prepare to be out in the hot sun, though, as there is no shade in this area whatsoever. Bring hats and plenty of water to hydrate and sunscreen to lather.
We did not keep track of the distance but it felt like a good 2.5-3 miles for the one-way hike. So save some energy for the hike back.
As always, we practice the Leave No Trace principles whenever we wander to respect the outdoors and keep wildlife wild.
Plan ahead and prepare.
Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
Dispose of waste properly.
Leave what you find.
Minimize campfire impacts
Respect wildlife.
Be considerate of other visitors.
So now that you’ve uncovered this little secret, you’re one step closer to having an epic time sliding down Tenaya waterslide, one of Mother Nature’s best attractions. If you have braved this hike to get to the waterslide, let me know in the comments below and if there are any other tips you would like to share, I would love to hear from you.
Happy Wandering!
-Ellie
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