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    Yuba River

    4.8 (32 reviews)

    Yuba River Photos

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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.

    Clear water!
    Zuleim G.

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

    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!

    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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    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.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Pioneer Park is in the foothill town of Nevada City, CA. It's a beautiful 16 acre park with…read moregorgeous mature trees. There's a baseball field, basketball courts, tennis courts, bocce ball court, horseshoe pits, little league field, playground, green lawn space, picnic area, and bandshell. The walkways are paved and ADA. In addition, the public swimming pool and Lodge are located here. The park hosts summer concerts and special events. The Lodge is a hop skip n jump next door to the pool, playground, and basketball courts. It's an event building available for rent. It has a kitchen, restrooms, tables, chairs, projector, and seating for 120 for dining. There are picnic area throughout the park as well. The areas have tables, BBQs, and some have electrical hookups. These can be reserved via the parks and recreation website. There is a creek that runs through the park that's makes a beautiful trickling sound when the water flow is high. Peaceful vibes. But as in all public spaces, please be cautious and aware of your surroundings.

    Save your time & money instead of wasting it attending the water aerobics class. There's nothing…read moreaerobic about standing around in the pool waving your arms around like it's ballet class. Each year the quality of the class gets worse. I'm out for 2025's morning class until they get a real instructor. It's too bad since the pool is lovely. The evening class might be the saving grace by virtue of the young lifeguards who teach at 6pm.

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    WOW WOW WOW. There are not enough ways to express how awesome this entire trip was. Audrey (the…read moreguide who's raft I stayed on), Dustin (the Team Leader), Mcclure, and Roman will forever get my praise for how they exceeded my expectations. This was my first time going both whitewater rafting and camping, and the entire time I felt taken care of, safe, and catered to in ways I hadn't even expected. I don't know how many times I shouted "Team Audrey!" as she expertly navigated difficult rapids. Roman was the guide responsible for riding ahead of us with all our cargo and setting up camp, and every time I was more and more impressed with the breathtaking set up he did with all of our tents, eating areas, and shaded spots. Dustin was a worthy team leader who made sure our trip went smoothly and on time, and was awesome to talk to and joke around with. And McClure was a thorough teacher and guide who is clearly passionate about what he does! I've noticed some reviews of people complaining about things out of Tributary's control like the bathroom quality or the heat or the other parties that would camp nearby. And even though that is technically not Tributary's juriscdiction, I still felt as if the four guides with us did everything they could to anticipate these problems and lessen their impact on our trip. Like they had a handwashing station for us, and had plenty of shaded areas for us to rest in. Not to mention they really took care of the quality of food we ate, giving gluten free and healthy options as well as snacks and drinks for us. Audrey, Dustin, Roman, and Mcclure. You four have a forever client in me. It is because of you guys I have such memorable stories that I will be telling until I am old. I can not thank you guys enough.

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