Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California, United States 13 Dec 2025

Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California, United States

Every masterpiece needs a brushstroke to tie it together. For Yosemite National Park in the United States, that stroke is the Merced River—painting reflections of granite cliffs, pine forests and waterfalls across its canvas. One of the US National Wild and Scenic Rivers, this waterway begins high in the Sierra Nevada. It gathers meltwater and winds 145 miles west through Yosemite Valley into California"s Central Valley.

© Ron and Patty Thomas/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

So nice, they made it twice
13 Dec 2023Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands, Norway
13 Dec 2024Christmas market, St Stephens Basilica, Budapest, Hungary

More Desktop Wallpapers:

A berry merry Christmas
13 Mar 2025Holi celebration in Jaipur, India
16 Mar 2024Giant panda
16 Nov 2023World Philosophy Day
14 Jan 2024Whooper swans
29 Jun 2025International Day of the Tropics
Small but mighty
Santa slalom
23 Jun 2025Elbe river in Dresden, Saxony, Germany
2 Jan 2026Aerial view of Venice, Italy
Creating a better world
3 Jan 2025Happy Birthday, JRR Tolkien!
Puffins pucker up
4 Feb 2025Golden Bridge, Bà Nà Hills, Da Nang, Vietnam
1 Feb 2024Sassnitz lighthouse, Rügen, Germany
Jewel of the Adriatic
12 Aug 2025World Elephant Day
3 Aug 2024Three Natural Bridges, Wulong National Park, China
19 Jan 2026Abraham Lake, Alberta, Canada
4 Dec 2023International Cheetah Day
The bears of summer
20 Jul 2024International Moon Day
2 Aug 2025Cowes Week
Who uses this grassy bridge?
27 Jan 2026Dalmatian pelicans, Lake Kerkini, Greece
26 Nov 2024Celebrating World Olive Tree Day
5 Apr 2025Grand National
Aug 23, 2023Skógafoss waterfall, Iceland
23 Jul 2024Methoni Castle, Messinia, Greece
19 Nov 2024Tasmans Arch, Tasman National Park, Tasmania, Australia