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Yuba River

4.8 (32 reviews)

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Bea S.

Wow! So glad I researched and came here for BD's birthday weekend. It was an almost 2 hour drive from Placerville and we left around 7:30 (to pick up breakfast to go) and got there around 9:35. Fairly easy drive once you get pass the 6 miles Auburn switch backs. At 9:15 the South Yuba Crossing was PACKED and I was concerned Oregon Creek would be too but happy to say there were maybe 4 families there when we arrived and plenty of parking (though the actually lots are not that big). By the time we left 5 hours later both lots were full and cars were lined up along the entrance and some parked on the highway. Beautiful area. It got more crowded as the day went on but I never felt like it got congested. Plenty of room for everyone. Fun place to explore. 2 rope swings the kiddo enjoyed on the lower level. And then the second area had a rock for him to jump off of and beautiful slabs of rock that does not have shade so be careful, it gets hot. At this time we're still being careful so pack trash out since there's no pick up. And there's no bathrooms here. I also didn't have reception for ATT.

Aki R.

We had a great time on the Yuba two days in a row. On the first day we climbed down from The Tahoe National Forrest Emerald Pools trail and had a pool mostly to ourselves all day. The water was FREEZING because it comes in from snow runoff! On the second day we went to the more popular spot under the Highway 49 Bridge. the water was perfect. Wish we'd had water shoes so that we could have hiked along the river and found a more secluded spot- it got crowded in the afternoon right at the entrance so left due to covid. I'd suggest packing lots of water and a picnic, some water shoes and a floater, and plenty of sunscreen and a hat. Have fun!!

Lily F.

Beautiful place, I recommend you don't go in the weekends, so crouch and difficult to find parking.

Middle Fork meets South Fork and Oregon Creek Swimming Hole happens
Jenny P.

What I love most about rivers is, You can't step in the same river twice! The water's always changing, always flowing! http://www.sacriver.org/aboutwatershed/roadmap/watersheds/american/yuba-river-watershed I love that you can review rivers. This is where the realm of technology has taken us: grading nature on a numbered scale. The Yuba river is a tributary of the Feather River (where my mom used to tell me there were whirlpools when she was a kid, and no one wanted to swim there), which is in turn, a tributary of the American River (see above link). It is by far is one of my favorite rivers, and I've made many happy, unforgettable memories along its beautiful banks, mostly on the South and Middle Forks. Growing up a short hike away from the American River Canyon in Auburn, the Yuba was but a short drive up Highway 49 to Nevada City, and beyond. It's a great river for hiking, daytrips, swimming, tubing, and mostly, relaxing. As a teenager, I worked for two summers reasonably close to Edward's Crossing on the South Yuba, almost to where it hits the South Yuba Campground area. Spending weekends and some evenings at the swimming holes along there was delightful hippie bliss. Recently, some friends and I discovered the Oregon Creek Swimming Hole outside of San Juan on the Middle Fork. Very calm and beautiful. Check out the pictures. 2017: Found Golden Quartz swimming hole outside of the wee town of Washington, on the South Yuba river. The "road" past the "Maybe Road Bridge" (see picture) is not advisable unless you have a 4x4. Don't test it as we did. Park and walk if you have to. Side note: Watch for leeches. Little ones, so nothing more than an interesting nature experience. I still screamed. Ha. I thought we only had them back east.

Alex L.

The Yuba River is one of best day-cations for those in Sacramento looking to escape the summer heat. It's not as far a drive as Tahoe without as much traffic. And the secrets out - it's a great place for swimming holes with certain areas being particularly popular for locals and day trippers alike. We recently visited the Bridgeport State Park river access. It was my first time there and I was surprised by just how many people there were. I was expecting a smattering of quiet visitors and discovered a crowded beach where people had obviously shown up very early to compete for space, even hauling down full barbecues and tents. Music blared. People lined up to jump off the best rocks and cliffs. Children squealed and splashed. It threw me off at first but I quickly made myself at home. Turns out there is a reasons this particular spot is so popular. The water is cool but not too cold in mid-summer, visibility is clear all the way to the bottom and there are plenty of soft sand beaches - a rarity along parts of this river. We spent the day neck deep in cool water with beers in our hands (although technically that's not allowed). My kid, who loves swimming, had one of the best times of his young life. It's hard to fault the popularity of a natural wonder like the Yuba River. Even the big crowd was no deterrent to me returning soon.

Olga R.

Amazing !!! Clean, great for hiking, must be able to walk, there is a lot of rocks and hiking involved to get to the river ... (like a hill full of rocks to get down) bring hiking shoes to go down for safety . Portable bathrooms available, the river is clean and the parking is limited. There are no fees and the sheriff volunteers are constantly checking on people.

Sarah S.

I was so lucky to grow up next to such a beautiful river. Many good times have been had here and I hope for many more in the future. While our recent drought has really brought the water level down, there are still plenty of swimming areas, especially if you're willing to hike for a bit. About that hiking - wear sneakers. Yes, to the river. But going up or down those hills is really not fun, and pretty unsafe, in flip flops. I regret it every time. Also, do not bring alcohol or glass - the park rangers are watching and they will catch you. It's their job and they're just trying to keep you and everyone else safe. So grab your suit and a towel. Jump in the cool refreshing water, go down some rapids, and slide down a slick rock. Soak up the sun and the beautiful scenery. And don't forget the sunscreen!

Clear water!
Zuleim G.

My favorite swimming spot from now on! The water is clear, warm & beautiful. Parking is very limited though!

Tarrea T.

Long drive but totally worth it. Lots of different areas to swim. If you venture farther down the river there are more "secluded" swimming spots away from families. Parking can be a little tricky! I definitely plan to go back in the near future. Highly recommend for families or group of friends.

Bryan W.

If you could go anywhere outside the Bay Area to escape this massive summer heat wave, where would you go? Most people would probably hit up the awe-inspiring shores of Point Reyes or the beautiful waters of Lake Tahoe, but I have one hidden gem that's truly worth every ounce of your attention: Yuba River's Oregon Creek. Recently, I wanted to take my girlfriend to a swimming hole since we both love water and we wanted to get away for the day. A little bit of gold digging brought us to Oregon Creek, supposedly one of THE best outdoor swimming holes in Northern California (https://www.outdoorproject.com/adventures/california/swimming-holes-cliff-jumping/oregon-creek-day-use-area). The coolest thing about Oregon Creek is that it's widely unknown by the general public, making this the PERFECT area for a quiet day. That definitely got us sold. Oregon Creek is a channel of water that makes up part of the Yuba River. This creek is located near Tahoe National Forest along the historic Highway 49 (Golden Chain Highway). Even if you are directionally challenged like I am, getting to Oregon Creek is quite simple. All you have to remember is to hop on to Highway 49 after getting through Sacramento. Then you will drive around 40-odd miles until you reach the Alleghany Ridge Road entrance of the Oregon Creek Day Use Area where the creek is located (GO HERE FOR LIKE MAY-OCTOBER SEASON) or around 45-ish miles for the Ridge Road entrance (GO HERE FOR OCTOBER-MAY). NOTE: You can type in "Oregon Creek Day Use Area" on Google Maps. In terms of timing, it's around 3.5 hours from South Bay Area, about 2 from San Francisco/East Bay, and 1 hour from Sacramento; essentially, driving to Yuba River/Oregon Creek is like going to Tahoe. I do recommend coming early (especially in the summer) because it can get HOT later in the day as well as crowded. Though the nice thing here is that you can literally park ANYWHERE on the grounds since nobody patrols! Here is what we thought of our experience, told through our five senses: SIGHT: Oregon Creek is definitively a scene out of a dream. The landscape here is so BEAUTIFUL to behold. The water is pretty crystal CLEAR, the rock formations are GORGEOUS, and you are also surrounded by GIGANTIC trees. And don't forget the numerous rope swings all along the creek! The best part about Oregon Creek is that it KEEPS ON GOING! You can essentially walk/hike for hours along the creek and every new section will look different, yet still be just as beautiful as the last. It's a gift that keeps on giving! SMELL: You will encounter two different scents at Oregon Creek (or not). First, the smell of the trees here provide a necessary, aromatic escape from the city. Barring damage from people, this area is so refreshing to your nose. The smell of timber and morning drew really places you into the moment. Second, the vault toilets here are CLEAN! Though they won't be 5-star hotel worthy, you won't smell the stench of feces here. TOUCH: If you love swimming in cool water, as well as bathing in a warm jacuzzi, Oregon Creek is the GOAT! Throughout the day, we found so many places along the creek to swim around in. Furthermore, there are also sections PERFECT for just laying around and chilling. My favorite area was this small stretch of calm water about 100 yards out from parking lot that was surprisingly warm + had large rocks for shade. Even if you aren't a fan of water, you will adore Oregon Creek when hit with 110+ degree weather. The water here stays remarkably cold and offers a momentary break from pain. HEAR: Like smell, there are two different sounds you will hear (or not). First, the calming and constant stream of the current is a beautiful lullaby that can put you to sleep. Second, the of yelling/screaming you'd hear at the beach is fairly NONEXISTENT at the creek. Even if it gets crowded, you can EASILY move to a different area! This is much harder elsewhere. TASTE: By taste, I don't mean taste the water (though I'm sure it's clean enough). Did you know you can grill stuff here? Even though you can't camp overnight at Oregon Creek. there's GRILLS! Just bring some equipment and eat your heart out at this magical place. If you were to ask me a few weeks ago what my favorite place to swim in near by the Bay Area was, I would easily say Lake Tahoe's Sand Harbor Beach (https://www.yelp.com/biz/sand-harbor-incline-village). Now, I have to say it's clearly Yuba River's Oregon Creek. There's just something SO MAGICAL about a swimming hole that offers so much, yet is undiscovered by many. I wholeheartedly give Oregon Creek (as well as Yuba River) an "omg, I'd travel 2 hours, NO FOUR HOURS for this place" rating. I guess there's a reason this place is within Gold Country because finding Oregon Creek was definitely striking gold. Please check this place out, especially if you don't want to fight traffic in Tahoe! And wear sunscreen. Have fun and prosper,

There's a rope to climb and swing off into the water!

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3 years ago

Beautiful! There's so much to do! Grass Valley invited City are nearby and have plenty of things to offer as well

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10 years ago

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4 years ago

Wow what a river, what a hike. I can't wait to come back in the summer. Wild with water this winter but stunning nonetheless.

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Ask the Community - Yuba River

Would children be able to access the swimming hole site? Or are the rocks too dangerous or hard to walk through?

June 2, 2024 I would not recommend. Hard rocks, I would not want child to hurt themselves!

What is the address/coordinates to get here?

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Review Highlights - Yuba River

I spent the weekend at the Oregon Creek Swimming Hole, which is part of the yuba river in Tahoe National Forest.

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Halsey Forebay Picnic Area

Halsey Forebay Picnic Area

4.8
(5 reviews)
32.1 km

On a recent mild sunny winter weekend afternoon, I visited the Halsey Forebay fishing access area…read more It's a water reservoir that's occasionally stocked with trout and crawfish. It's managed by PG&E. The reservoir is a lake with shallow rocky edges. It's just for casting fishing, no humans or animals should go into the water. The access and parking is FREE. And as always, anglers 16 and older need a CA fishing license to fish. I didn't fish here. I looked about and soaked in the sights though. It was rusticly beautiful. However the perimeter doesn't have any shade trees. But vibes were super quiet, I call it library fishing. Shhhh. As I walked about the perimeter of the lake, I noticed folks were quiet even amongst their own groups. Even the elementary school age children there were super quiet. An incredible feat. QuietPlace. And about the fishing situation, not much luck with the anglers that day. Stock was low. Near the parking lot is a short concrete pier with fishing rod holders. This is closest to the water shed. The picnic area is across the watershed. To get to the area from the parking lot, you will have to walk, on a narrow steel grate walkway, over the watershed. The rushing water provides for a dizzying visual effect. The picnic area is set back enough from the lake so if you bring the kiddos, this is the area where they can go about hooting n hollering. The area has 3-4 concrete picnic tables and a several bbq pits. It's first come, first serve. This area is not paved, dirt packed; shaded with big growth trees. Plus let me tell you I learned the hard way that the walking path doesn't connect fully around the lake. I don't recommend attempting the mythical loop. The path is mostly gravel with the other parts being dirt. Watch where you step; there was a lot of poop along the trail. There is a stretch of the path that ends and funnels you out to the narrow bike lane on Christian Valley Road near Bancroft Road. There is no adjacent room to the side of the bike lane, only a chain link fence. Cars are going 50plus miles a hour inches away from you; and they are on a curve. So wait until traffic clears for a significant distance to hightail yourself across that stretch which runs about 50 feet. Don't try to walk with cars coming at you; don't risk getting impaled by a side view mirror or worse. There is a paved parking lot and a public restrooms with vault toilets. Sorry ladies, I can't provide any additional info about the restrooms. As always, I try my best to avoid public park restrooms. But at least they have a restrooms. And to add the landscape of area doesn't provide for any natural discrete spots to answer the call of nature.

It's gorgeous out here…read more.. We've been fishing at Halsey Forebay Picnic Area quite a few times now. We've caught trout and crawfish! Along with some gnarly mosquito bites. You can pull in and park in a parking space where it leads right up some picnic benches. Just beyond that, a l is a fence with holders for your pole. About 10-12 of them lined up. If you are fishing here, this is where having a 2nd and 3rd pole comes in handy - just be sure to get your license for that!! The water current starts off strong over here and, depending on what you are using, could float downward towards our into the next person's line, so use wisely! Figure it out! On this cool evening, we were catching them left and right. Everyone fishing here is so friendly. It's fun to meet people and see what they're using. When the sun goes down, and most of the heat goes away, Halsey Forebay becomes a sight for sore eyes... as I said... so gorgeous

Photos
This pathway is near the corner of Bancroft and Christian Valley Road.
This pathway is near the corner of Bancroft and Christian Valley Road.
Halsey Forebay Picnic Area
Halsey Forebay Picnic Area

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Ramshorn Campground

Ramshorn Campground

4.7
(3 reviews)
37.1 km

Great campground! There are two loops, the higher numbers being further away from the highway. The…read morescenery is beautiful and the view of the stars at night is breathtaking. The campground itself is kept very clean. There are no showers and the toilets are vault. The toilets are kept exceptionally clean but are still pretty fowl smelling upon entering (just a heads up). There are several swimming holes you can hike down to (directly across the highway from campground). The town of Downieville is also very close and has some fun places to visit. Best camping trip thus far, I will definitely return next summer for more fun!

This great campground is about 6 miles west of the town of Downieville, tucked among the trees of…read morethe Tahoe National Forest. As the other reviewer notes, there are two loops. The lower loop is almost parallel to Hwy 49, but the upper loop is up a bit further back. Though traffic noises could be heard, they weren't too intrusive. I booked campsite #13, which was in the upper loop. Great site! We didn't have any neighbors immediately next to us, in any direction. Though the campground was almost completely full during my July visit, most people seemed to be out and about exploring the area during the day, and were quiet during the night. This is a tent-only campground, so it was nice not having to hear the hum of RVs all day. The grounds themselves were kept neat and tidy, the vault toilets were some of the cleanest I've seen, and there is potable water available. The campground is really close to some awesome swimming holes on the Yuba River. There is a trailhead directly across Hwy 49 that provides access. My group walked down to the river most days we were there. The traffic on Hwy 49 isn't very heavy so we felt really safe walking across and along the Hwy. The small town of Downieville is a definite must visit while you're in the area. We were camping specifically to attend the Downieville Mountain Brewfest (which was awesome!) but the town itself is charming and full of interesting historical places and things to see. All in all, the Ramshorn Campground provided a great base to explore Downieville, the Yuba River, and Tahoe National Forest. I'll definitely be back to explore more of the area and camp here again.

Photos
View of the river across from the campground.
View of the river across from the campground.
Swimming hole close by.

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Swimming hole close by.
Marlette lake trail

Marlette lake trail

5.0
(6 reviews)
96.8 km

We hiked the Marlette Lake Trail from Spooner Lake to Marlette Lake as a backpacking trip for my…read morefriend's bachelorette party! We added some extra distance at the end by hiking to the Marlette Peak Campground to stay for the night. From the parking lot to the campground was about 7 miles each way. The trail itself was well-maintained, moderate difficulty, and had everything you'd want in a good hike! Solid trail conditions. Beautiful mountain and lake views. Some sections of wildflowers. A good amount of sun but also some shaded parts. Gradual incline that never felt super steep, so the elevation gain felt manageable. We saw people hiking as well as mountain biking on this trail. There are several sections of aspen trees along this hike, so it's a great one to come back and do in the fall once the leaves turn yellow. The trailhead area has great facilities, the bathrooms were clean and there is ample parking. The park rangers I spoke to were friendly and helpful. There is a $10/car entry into this area but it's totally worth it, especially when you see how well they take care of it. I loved this hike and will continue to come back to Spooner for hikes in the future!

There are a few ways to reach Marlette Lake, all of them totally worth it, especially this time of…read moreyear. This trail takes you around Spooner Lake and up to Marlette. It's a 9 mile out and back with fairly gradual elevation gain, up through the trees, until you reach the lake. A great little workout. Marlette sits along the Flume Trail, so you're likely to see a lot of mountain bikers. Fun fact: The Flume Trail got its name because Marlette and the tributaries that feed it were part of a log flume system to carry logs used to build our region all the way down from as far as Virginia City! Marlette has a short fishing season, but people say it's grand if you make the trip. Of course you need to hike in to have that experience. This is definitely a trail worth checking out in our area!

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Marlette lake trail
Marlette lake trail
Marlette lake trail

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Yuba River - climbing - Updated July 2026

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