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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.
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!!
Beautiful place, I recommend you don't go in the weekends, so crouch and difficult to find parking.
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.
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.
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!
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.
My favorite swimming spot from now on! The water is clear, warm & beautiful. Parking is very limited though!
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.
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,
I spent the weekend at the Oregon Creek Swimming Hole, which is part of the yuba river in Tahoe National Forest. I had an amazing time there because there wasn't that many people and there was so much privacy as it was tucked behind the highway. I also camped overnight and was able to enjoy the stars and sound of the water fall nearby. No better way to enjoy summer than being in nature. I brought several trash bags to pick up trash and taking the trash with me before leaving the area. Please, if you're going to eat there, bring trash bags and help keep the area clean for others to enjoy.
2 years ago
Every summer we look forward to coming here! We've been coming here for over twenty years now and it's been getting more and more populated. It used to be more secluded but it's nice to see to that more people are finding this spot as it is a,"Gem!" There are so many places here to hike and swim along the Yuba and you kind of work your way and find what works best with what you want out of it. The water is pristine...better than any swimming pool or ocean, IMO. You can open your eyes under water and it's never irritated. We usually bring our goggles but it's not necessary. There's endless places to sunbathe, without feeling invaded. Dogs are allowed on leashes but on this visit we did experience a dog taking a poo in the water, which kind of turned us off. Luckily, the owner noticed and he was able to take care of it, minutes later. The Yuba River is beautiful, you can't ask for better swimming conditions, there are a number of spots available if you travel up or down stream. The water is always emerald green and so clear when you dive under. If you're adventurous, there are some great spots to sunbathe nude... if you desire! read more
5 years ago
We decided to spend the day under Highway 49 Bridge. The walk down is a little challenging especially if you have kids and a dog. But, we managed! When you get down to the river it is all worth it. We found a spot right away to lay our towels and chair down and hopped right in the water. The water was very warm and so clear you can see the fish swim by. I do suggest getting there early to find parking. We got lucky when we arrived at around 10:30ish someone was leaving but the whole parking lot was full by then. I look forward to going back and so glad I experienced the Yuba River! read more
6 years ago
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. read more
6 years ago
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!! read more
4 years ago
Beautiful place, I recommend you don't go in the weekends, so crouch and difficult to find parking. read more
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. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
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. read more
5 years ago
4 years ago
3 years ago
6 years ago
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! read more
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. read more
7 years ago
My favorite swimming spot from now on! The water is clear, warm & beautiful. Parking is very limited though! read more
8 years ago
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. read more
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, read more
I spent the weekend at the Oregon Creek Swimming Hole, which is part of the yuba river in Tahoe National Forest. I had an amazing time there because there wasn't that many people and there was so much privacy as it was tucked behind the highway. I also camped overnight and was able to enjoy the stars and sound of the water fall nearby. No better way to enjoy summer than being in nature. I brought several trash bags to pick up trash and taking the trash with me before leaving the area. Please, if you're going to eat there, bring trash bags and help keep the area clean for others to enjoy. read more
21 years ago
Are you Grumpy? Tired? Is this crazy little world gettin ya down?... Let me paint ya a picture.... It is a beautiful summer day, birds are singin' and you are laying on a big ass rock ( in a swimsuit, or naked, however you roll...) staring into the most beautiful crystal clear water you have ever seen... Feel free to swim and kick it all day, because at the end of the day, you will be swimming at dusk, and retiring to your happy little camp spot(did i mention the sand?) Now, I can't tell you exact directions, because the locals would have my ass, but you're smart people, you'll figure it out. about 3 hours northeast of the bay area. And don't worry the yuba river is huge, there are lots o spots to find and explore. Now, don't you feel better? Happy trails read more
8 years ago
15 years ago
12 years ago
10 years ago
If you're in the area, you NEED to stop by. If you're thinking of skipping this, it's your loss. Make the extra 30 minute drive from downtown to the river because it's one of the most beautiful sights that you will ever see in NorCal let alone the area. read more
13 years ago
8 years ago
15 years ago
More info about Yuba River
Nevada City, CA 95959
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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?
