DIRECTIONS

From Sacramento, take I-80 northeast to Exit 119 at Auburn. Take Rt 49 north toward Grass Valley. (Note that Rt 49 and Rt 20 overlap at one point.) Follow Rt 49/20 into Nevada City. Then:



EDWARDS CROSSING [EDWC]: Apparently a very popular (i.e., crowded) spot on the South Yuba but quieter places are nearby. PHOTO , PHOTO. To get here from Nevada City, at the split of Rt 20 and Rt 49 in Nevada City turn left (sharp left) (Nevada City Carriage Company is on the right). Drive for about 1/4 of a mile or less. North Bloomfield road is the second road on the right after Coyote Rd.( there is a fire station at the corner). Take North Bloomfield road for about 1 mile until the "T" in the road and bear right.



Follow North Bloomfield road for about 8 miles until the South Yuba Recreation area and Edwards Crossing. The last mile of road to Edwards Crossing is very narrow and steep, so take it slow. The road is paved all the way until Edwards Crossing. It is much better to approach Edwards Crossing from the south side of the bridge. The road on the north side is not paved. Also, the parking is on the south side of the bridge and that is where the bathrooms are located.



This is a very popular place so get there early since the parking can fill up quickly. ("I got there at 9 AM and was the only one there in April. However, at 11 AM there were about 40 cars!!!") This place is right here under the bridge. LAT, LON : lat=39.330197, lon=-120.984125 (source: DeLorme) (accuracy:exact) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Very confident. Verified by another. Updated 6/2010.





MOUNTAIN DOG [MOUN]: Where Spring Creek comes into the South Yuba, there is a small falls and nice swimming hole - bathing suits optional. Park at Edwards Crossing (above), but avoid the crowds by hiking downstream on a trail along the north side of the river about a mile to the side creek and falls. PHOTO, PHOTO , PHOTO , YOUTUBE , YOUTUBE . . For a beautiful view of the swimming area and a video taken in April, 2010, please see swimmingholesofcalifornia.blogspot.com/.The trail to "Spring Creek" is located on the north side of the bridge. It is easy to find and locate. The hike is about 1 mile to the creek and swimming holes. Here, and a bit further downstream, are the swimming places. LAT, LON : lat=39.3322, lon=-120.98944(source: measured by another) (accuracy: exact) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Very confident. Verified by another. Updated 3/2013.





NORTH CANYON [NORC]: A beautiful canyon with a bunch of swimming places in the South Yuba River upstream of Edwards Crossing. PHOTO , PHOTO , PHOTO , PHOTO , PHOTO , PHOTO LAT, LON : lat=39.34028, lon=-120.9489(source: measured by another) (accuracy: approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Very confident. Verified by another. Updated 4/2010. There are at least two ways to get here:



FIRST WAY: The first way is the easier, quite level and about 5-6 miles round trip. To get here, from Edwards Crossing (above) continue on North Bloomfield Rd about 1 mile to signs for the South Yuba Campground. From the campground, hike the South Yuba Trail south to the river then east along the river to North Canyon. The swimming holes are in North Canyon.



Here is a report from Tim Joyce using this trail in 5/2010: " Yesterday we hiked North Canyon via the South Yuba trail (South Yuba Campground). It was much easier than the Humbug trail hike. Although this is still a very hot Canyon and people need to be advised to bring enough water (at least 2 bottles each). From the trail head it is about 2 miles to Overlook point and then another 1 mile to the North Canyon Spur Trail (this is the trail that heads down to the river with the switchbacks). There is a marker at the spur trail. The spur trail does not look like a trail since it is slightly overgrown. It is easy to miss and people need to note that is right across from the marker sing in North Canyon. As you proceed down the trail it gets better. The trail down to the canyon has a number of "switch backs". It is about 0.4 miles. So the hike distance is about 6-7 miles round trip for this hike.



"You can pick up the South Yuba Trail at the end of the upper parking area at the South Yuba campground. I recommend taking the North Bloomfield road to Edwards Crossing. Crossing the bridge and driving up the dirt road about 3 miles until you reach the South Yuba Campground exit. It will be on the right and descends down a hill. The road is dirt, but in good condition and easily drivable by any car. You proceed down the hill and come to a fork. You proceed to the right. The lower road goes to the campground. The upper to the parking. The parking area is obvious. You can park in this top lot. Note that there are bathrooms here.



"The trail to the South Yuba trail is actually not labeled and is at the back of this parking lot. You just follow this unmarked trail down and it will go for about 0.5 miles until you reach a sign indicating the South Yuba Trail. You will know you are on the right trail since it parallels the road to the campground which you will see from the trail. There are no markers along the way, but this is the only trail down. After hiking a while you will reach the trail head. There is a big sign and it is obvious. Note at this sign the South Yuba is to the left and goes up the slight incline.



"At Overlook point there are picnic tables, but no real view. The best view of the Canyon is about 0.2 miles from the North canyon Spur trail (see attached photo). You can see the entire canyon.

We encountered a number of mountain bikers on this trail. The trail is fairly level with some slight inclines. I would rate it of moderate difficulty. However, it is a long way to the Canyon floor. I would recommend this for the hike first and the swimming hole second. If you are going to use the swimming hole you need to leave early. Otherwise, you will find yourself reaching the hole and then having to hike back almost immediately to avoid hiking in the dark. The river flow is strong in May and nearly non-existent in September, so people need to plan accordingly.



SECOND WAY: The second way is more strenuous and begins in Malakoff Diggins S.P.. To get here, from Edwards Crossing (above) continue on North Bloomfield Rd to Malikoff Diggins S.P. (has camping). This from a visitor:” In the State Park, take the Humbug Trail (2.4 miles one way) then the South Yuba Trail (1.5 miles one way) down to the river and the swimming holes. The hike down the Humbug trail is about 2.4 miles (there is a picnic table at the end of the trail to rest). The Humbug trail is fairly steep so people should leave early since the hike is long and you don't want to be hiking up this trail in the dark due to the ledges. You must then pick up the South Yuba trail and hike around another 1.5 miles to reach a series of switch backs. This is a long hike. Then, after you hike the South Yuba trail you must take a series of switchbacks down to the river. This will deliver you to the hole. Note that this is really a 9-10 mile hike to the swimming hole and back. People really need to bring plenty of water on this hike. Visiting too early in the year the waters can be strong. In September, most of the water will have left the canyon so it is not as wonderful."



SHANGRI-LA [SHAN]: A very popular (i.e. - crowded) swimming place under the RT 49 bridge over the South Yuba River but a much quieter place a short way upstream. The place at the bridge is has boulders and swimming tunnels and slides that are absolutely exceptional and worth putting up with the crowd. YOUTUBE . To get here from Nevada City, take RT 49 northwest to where it crosses over the South Yuba River. The main swimming hole is right here at the bridge with the other upstream. Hike about 1/3 mile upstream to a much quieter place which is the best spot for swimming and high jumping into emerald green water with only a few others around. LAT, LON : lat=39.29799, lon=-121.08922(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: general area) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Pretty confident. Not verified. Updated 12/2008.



SOUTH YUBA RIVER S. P. [SOUP]: A linear, discontinuous state park along the South Yuba River with several swimming places along the way. To get here from SHANGRI-LA (above), continue on RT 49 northwest about 5 miles then turn west (left) on Pleasant Valley Rd. and go 7.5 miles to the South Yuba River S. P. Bridgeport Visitors Center near Bridgeport. Stop by the visitor center for a trail guide or to get other basic information about the park.



There is a wooden truss bridge here and several trails up and down the river begin near this bridge. Try the Point Defiance Trail and Loop: From parking area cross covered bridge and turn immediately left (west) downriver. Follows river downstream to where the river flows into Englebright Lake. Also the Cemetery/ Virginia Turnpike Loop Trail: A half hour gentle stroll with a great swim hole at the end. Follow signs from Visitor Center parking area. The short "River Overlook/Bridgeport trail goes below the visitors center and downstream a short distance to a family beach for swimming. Another trail, the Kneebone Beach Trail, goes upstream on the south side of the river .4 miles to a scenic swimming hole outlined by granite rocks. LAT, LON : lat=39.29222, lon=-121.19381(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: general area) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Pretty confident. Not verified. Updated 12/12/2005.



MIDDLE YUBA BRIDGE [MIDB]: There is a swimming hole under the Middle Yuba Bridge that is very popular. Many people go there since there are bathrooms and parking. PHOTO , PHOTO To get here, continue north on RT 49 until you cross the bridge over the Middle Yuba River. LAT, LON : lat=39.39407, lon=-121.08455(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Very confident. Verified by another. Updated 5/10.



MUSHROOM HOLE [MUSH]: In the Tahoe National Forest in the Middle Yuba River is a popular, deep hole with a large, mushroom-shaped rock to jump from. [NOTE: It is no longer possible to go the way described below to reach Mushroom Hole or Strawberry - the landowner has constructed an electric fence. We are seeking another way to get here. Skip it for now.] To get here, on RT 49 cross the bridge over the Middle Yuba River then make an immediate left turn onto Moonshine Creek Rd. Go 1 mile then park and do not block any driveways as there is private property hereabouts. Look for a trail on the left that goes steeply down (wear sturdy shoes) to the river then hike downstream for about 1/2 mile. The first swimming hole is known as Strawberry and is often crowded but if you continue about 250 yards further downstream you will come to Mushroom Hole. Watch out for poison oak. LAT, LON : lat=39.38353, lon=-121.10006(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: exact) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Very confident. Verified by another. Updated 4/10.



OREGON CREEK [OREG]: Beautiful hole with large flat rocks all around. Clothing optional. PHOTO , PHOTO, PHOTO, YOUTUBE , YOUTUBE . This is not a deep hole - maybe about 6-8 feet max. DO NOT DIVE HERE- there have been a number of injuries. There is also a few little tubs that have circulating water that acts like a hot tub. One falls steps down and the other braids together. You can actually go under the falls. There is an air space and plenty of room for about 3 people. Also at the top of the step down falls is a pot hole you can submerge into and go through a secret passage to the middle rock where you can come up. It is very neat.



To get here, set your odometer at the Middle Yuba Bridge and go a little under 1.0 mile north on RT 49 from the bridge over the Middle Yuba and park at a small turn off on the right side of the road (look closely, this turn off is not easy to find. Note that right before the turn off there is a rusted guard rail with a white road marker that says YUB 49. That is the first marker you will see while driving. Next to this marker and closer to the parking place is a second white marker that has the number 101 on it. If you still can't find it and are in doubt, the road is marked here with the number 213') . There is a big dirt hump at the parking area you go over to get to the trail. Walk a short way (.25 miles) or less down a well-maintained trail to Oregon Creek and the swimming hole. LAT, LON : lat=39.404972, lon=-121.0754(source: measured by another) (accuracy: exact) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Very confident. Verified by another. Updated 3/2013.



DOWNIEVILLE AREA[DOWN]: Downieville, on the North Yuba River, is a center for mountain biking with lots of trails along the river. Many swimming holes are accessible on these trails. YOUTUBE . Details are not presented here, ask at local bike outfitters about rides and swimming holes. Downieville is on RT 49 about 44 miles from Nevada City. As you approach Downieville on RT 49 you will be paralleling the river where you may see additional swimming holes. LAT, LON : lat=39.55952, lon=-120.82770(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Pretty confident. Not verified. Updated 3/2013.



INDIAN SPRINGS [INDI]: Another location in the South Yuba River with clear water and waterfalls to sit under and plenty of flat warm granite rocks to lie on and sunbathe. To get here from Colfax on I-80, continue on I-80 east towards Reno. Exit at Eagle Lakes road near Donner Summit (Exit 164). Go north under the freeway and follow the road around to the west and you will come to Indian Springs campground. The swimming hole is here in the river. LAT, LON : lat=39.33419, lon=-120.58503(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Pretty confident. Not verified. Updated 12/12/2005.



LAKES BASIN CAMPGROUND [LAKE]: Not really in the Yuba River Area, but not too far away either. Near BLAIRSDEN, SIERRAVILLE and GRAEAGLE. At the Lakes Basin Campground in the Plumas N.F. there is a swimming hole in an unnamed creek. To get here from I-80 (above), continue on I-80 east to exit 196 (Truckee area) and take RT 89 north through Sierraville (Stay on RT 89) through Clio to Graeagle (before Blairsden). In Graeagle look for the intersection of RT 89 and Forest Rd. 24 (Gold Lake road or Gold Lake Forest Rd.) and turn west (left) on RT 24 and go about 7 miles to the campground sign. The swimming hole is in a creek in or near the campground. LAT, LON : lat=39.70064, lon=-120.65908(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Pretty confident. Not verified. Updated 12/28/2007.



JOHNSVILLE [JOHN]: Not really in the Yuba River Area, but not too far away either. Near BLAIRSDEN, SIERRAVILLE and GRAEAGLE. YOUTUBE , YOUTUBE . Beautiful pool, jumping and VERY cold water. Very near the Plumas-Eureka State Park, where there is camping and all facilities. To get here from Graegle (above) go north on RT A14 and continue onto Johnsville Rd.. Keep on Johnsville Rd for about 5 miles where the road make a very sharp right hand curve. Continue around the curve and, in a short distance, park in the Johnsville Cemetery parking lot. Walk down the path, steep at first, for about .5 mile total to Jamison Creek. The falls and swimming hole are here. LAT, LON : lat=39.7607303, lon=-120.6954985 (source: map) (accuracy: approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Pretty confident. Not verified. Updated 3/2013.