Looking for a little cool relief from the summertime heat? Or, maybe you hunger for a fun way to make some epic memories. Either way, Northern California has you covered. We’ve included a few more swimming holes you need to add to that bucket list of yours. Check out the photos and even a few videos below. Call a couple friends; load up on the sunscreen, and bring a few snacks, then head to these best swimming holes in Northern California. Don’t forget to take a few selfies once you get there. It’s important to remind everyone what they’re missing.
- Standish-Hickey Swimming Hole, Mendocino County
flickr/kierstenbryant You’ll find this heavenly spot on the South Fork of the Eel River in the Standish-Hickey State Recreational Area. Also home to the tallest Redwood tree, Captain Miles Standish who stands proud at over 225 feet. Some say he’s had over 1200 birthdays. Before you head to these natural swimming holes in Northern California , grab a picnic lunch and make a day of it. What makes this spot so lovely is there’s a narrow sandy beach here to rest and enjoy the day. If you’d rather find something a little more secluded head up the trail a bit farther. There are smaller swimming holes around there, but they are magnets to skinny-dippers in the triple-digit heat.
Directions: Once you’re inside the SRA use the day parking lot beside the Redwood Campground. A .25 mile walk across the river is all you need to do before a seasonal footbridge carries you right to the swimming hole. Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area, Leggett, CA 95585, USA
- Carlon Falls, Yosemite Valley
flickr/sonny abesamis On the South Fork of the Tuolumne River, you will discover one of the best swimming holes in Northern California. This gorgeous girl is about 15 feet high and she runs year-round. Be forewarned, this is a 4.5 mile round trip hike. When you reach the falls you can stay here and take a plunge or walk ahead to a few smaller holes. Your choice!
Directions: Right beside the Highway 120 entrance to Yosemite Park is the trail to paradise. Carlon Falls Trail, 32158 Evergreen Rd, Groveland, CA 95321, USA
- Clark’s Swimming Hole, Auburn
flickr/don chadduck When you dunk yourself here, you’re enjoying a legendary spot. As one of the best Northern California swimming holes, it’s been cooling off people for over 100 years. As the story goes, the hole was created by old time gold miners, where a reservoir now exists. When you make your way here you’re going to never want to leave.
Directions: Take Highway 49 and once you pass the Old Foresthill Bridge make sure to park right across the street. Look for the Lake Clementine Trail . It will take you directly to Clark’s swimming hole. 139 Old Foresthill Rd, Auburn, CA 95603, USAOregon Creek, California, USA
- Oregon Creek Swimming Hole, Middle Fork Yuba River
flickr/kierstenbryant
You’ll find this heavenly spot on the South Fork of the Eel River in the Standish-Hickey State Recreational Area. Also home to the tallest Redwood tree, Captain Miles Standish who stands proud at over 225 feet. Some say he’s had over 1200 birthdays. Before you head to these natural swimming holes in Northern California , grab a picnic lunch and make a day of it. What makes this spot so lovely is there’s a narrow sandy beach here to rest and enjoy the day. If you’d rather find something a little more secluded head up the trail a bit farther. There are smaller swimming holes around there, but they are magnets to skinny-dippers in the triple-digit heat.
Directions: Once you’re inside the SRA use the day parking lot beside the Redwood Campground. A .25 mile walk across the river is all you need to do before a seasonal footbridge carries you right to the swimming hole.
Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area, Leggett, CA 95585, USA
flickr/sonny abesamis
On the South Fork of the Tuolumne River, you will discover one of the best swimming holes in Northern California. This gorgeous girl is about 15 feet high and she runs year-round. Be forewarned, this is a 4.5 mile round trip hike. When you reach the falls you can stay here and take a plunge or walk ahead to a few smaller holes. Your choice!
Directions: Right beside the Highway 120 entrance to Yosemite Park is the trail to paradise.
Carlon Falls Trail, 32158 Evergreen Rd, Groveland, CA 95321, USA
flickr/don chadduck
When you dunk yourself here, you’re enjoying a legendary spot. As one of the best Northern California swimming holes, it’s been cooling off people for over 100 years. As the story goes, the hole was created by old time gold miners, where a reservoir now exists. When you make your way here you’re going to never want to leave.
Directions: Take Highway 49 and once you pass the Old Foresthill Bridge make sure to park right across the street. Look for the Lake Clementine Trail . It will take you directly to Clark’s swimming hole.
139 Old Foresthill Rd, Auburn, CA 95603, USAOregon Creek, California, USA
What makes these natural swimming holes in Northern California so amazing is that it’s easily accessed but not marked. This means way fewer folks to crowd out your summer fun. There are smooth granite slabs to throw out your towel, or enjoy a few cannonballs from some jutted out rocks. There are natural jacuzzis in this place to hang out awhile, or grab your cutie-pie and sit behind the waterfall.
Directions: Take I-80, exit Hwy. 49 NB to Nevada City. Go 16.3 miles up Hwy 49 past Nevada City. Cross the bridge over the Middle Yuba River—marked by a “Yuba County Line” sign—and the Oregon Creek day use area. You’re going to drive another mile past the sign and day-use spot, look for a small two-car pull-out on the east (right) side of Hwy 49 at the 1.00 mile marker sign. Park here and walk down the dirt path just a couple minutes. You have arrived!
- Henry Cowell State Park Swimming Hole, Santa Cruz
Leonardo Daniel Morales Martinez/Google This is one of the best swimming holes in Northern California and it goes by a few names, like Big Rock Hole and some even call it The Garden of Eden. Either way, the end game is the same. Fun. Refreshing. Exhilarating. Did we mention fun?
Directions: It’s easy to find once you’re inside Henry Cowell park, but there are a couple of ways to get here. The easiest way to arrive on foot is to walk a moderately steep .5 hike downhill, forging the riverbed, and crossing a redwood barrier. The basin is on the other side. Golden Chain Highway, CA-49, Camptonville, CA, USACandy Rock Road, Candy Rock Rd, California, USACalaveras County, CA, USA
- Candy Rock, Calaveras County
Leonardo Daniel Morales Martinez/Google
This is one of the best swimming holes in Northern California and it goes by a few names, like Big Rock Hole and some even call it The Garden of Eden. Either way, the end game is the same. Fun. Refreshing. Exhilarating. Did we mention fun?
Directions: It’s easy to find once you’re inside Henry Cowell park, but there are a couple of ways to get here. The easiest way to arrive on foot is to walk a moderately steep .5 hike downhill, forging the riverbed, and crossing a redwood barrier. The basin is on the other side.
Golden Chain Highway, CA-49, Camptonville, CA, USACandy Rock Road, Candy Rock Rd, California, USACalaveras County, CA, USA
Known by the locals, this is the place to be when the summer heat starts to drive you crazy. You’ll find lots of flat rocks for sunbathing and shaded areas to get a little refuge from the sun. Lots of teenagers and young adults consider this Candy Rock swimming hole a favorite with 12-foot cliff jumps to practice on before heading to the big boy, Candy Rock!
Directions: Located in the Stanislaus National Forest, Candy Rock is at the end of an old dirt road, just north of the town of Murphys. According to one hiker, “After turning down the three miles of potholes and gravel known as Candy Rock Road, you arrive at a roundabout where you park anywhere. Then .25 miles of stairs leads you to the first swimming hole.”
- Blue Streak, Calaveras County
This swimming hole is even more obscure than Candy Rock swimming hole, but apparently they’re neighbors. It gets its name from a giant blue streak of granite that seems to be nature’s way of marking the spot. I had a tougher time finding good directions for this big boy, so make sure to read the comments for that kind person to share the best way to get there. P.S. There is a swimming hole in El Dorado County with the same name. Don’t confuse the two.
Directions: Up past Murphys and Angels Camp, about two hours Southeast from Sacramento, according to one YouTuber. Looks like they really want to keep this one secret. If you know where Candy Rock is then you can find Blue Streak. It’s about one mile downstream from Candy Rock.
Having a tough time choosing where to go? I’m about to make it even harder. Here are more of the best swimming holes in Northern California that are just waiting on you to show up and have a little summer fun. Nobody said this would be easy.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Swimming Holes in Northern California May 24, 2022 Libby Monson Are there any secret swimming holes in Northern California?
There are probably many tightly held secrets about swimming holes in Northern California. The one thing people love is to have a swimming hole all to themselves. The swimming holes at Natural Bridges in Calaveras County might not be a secret, but you’ll feel like you are venturing into the unknown when you visit. These are some of the best swimming holes in Northern California. Coyote Creek flows through spectacular limestone caverns creating these mysterious cool pools. As you move deeper into the cavern, the water gets darker and deeper, which creates an eerie feeling. You might want to bring a headlight and lifejacket just to be on the safe side. Are there any natural waterslides in Northern California?
Nothing beats the heat like a natural waterslide and swimming hole! Rainbow Pool is one of the best waterfall-fed natural swimming holes in Northern California. Near Groveland, this idyllic spot has it all a waterfall, waterslide, and swimming hole. The slide is made of smooth rocks that deposit you into the picturesque swimming hole with a splash. So bring a picnic and spend the day enjoying this natural beauty! Are there any short and sweet trails that lead to a swimming hole in Northern California?
Yes! Hoyt’s Trail is only about a mile long and leads you right to Lemke’s Lagoon. This refreshing pool is created from a smooth bowl of granite. Step carefully as you approach the lagoon; the surrounding boulders can be slippery. Due to the privacy of this lagoon, it is one of the Northern California swimming holes where you might come across some skinny dipping, so be forewarned.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Swimming Holes in Northern California
May 24, 2022
Libby Monson
Are there any secret swimming holes in Northern California?
There are probably many tightly held secrets about swimming holes in Northern California. The one thing people love is to have a swimming hole all to themselves. The swimming holes at Natural Bridges in Calaveras County might not be a secret, but you’ll feel like you are venturing into the unknown when you visit. These are some of the best swimming holes in Northern California. Coyote Creek flows through spectacular limestone caverns creating these mysterious cool pools. As you move deeper into the cavern, the water gets darker and deeper, which creates an eerie feeling. You might want to bring a headlight and lifejacket just to be on the safe side. Are there any natural waterslides in Northern California?
Nothing beats the heat like a natural waterslide and swimming hole! Rainbow Pool is one of the best waterfall-fed natural swimming holes in Northern California. Near Groveland, this idyllic spot has it all a waterfall, waterslide, and swimming hole. The slide is made of smooth rocks that deposit you into the picturesque swimming hole with a splash. So bring a picnic and spend the day enjoying this natural beauty! Are there any short and sweet trails that lead to a swimming hole in Northern California?
Yes! Hoyt’s Trail is only about a mile long and leads you right to Lemke’s Lagoon. This refreshing pool is created from a smooth bowl of granite. Step carefully as you approach the lagoon; the surrounding boulders can be slippery. Due to the privacy of this lagoon, it is one of the Northern California swimming holes where you might come across some skinny dipping, so be forewarned.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Are there any natural waterslides in Northern California?
Nothing beats the heat like a natural waterslide and swimming hole! Rainbow Pool is one of the best waterfall-fed natural swimming holes in Northern California. Near Groveland, this idyllic spot has it all a waterfall, waterslide, and swimming hole. The slide is made of smooth rocks that deposit you into the picturesque swimming hole with a splash. So bring a picnic and spend the day enjoying this natural beauty!
Are there any short and sweet trails that lead to a swimming hole in Northern California?
Yes! Hoyt’s Trail is only about a mile long and leads you right to Lemke’s Lagoon. This refreshing pool is created from a smooth bowl of granite. Step carefully as you approach the lagoon; the surrounding boulders can be slippery. Due to the privacy of this lagoon, it is one of the Northern California swimming holes where you might come across some skinny dipping, so be forewarned.
