California Swimming Holes
California has 9 named swimming holes on record across 6 counties. Types include creek pools, lake coves, rivers, and waterfall basins. 1 swimming hole is free to visit. 3 need a hike. 7 have a closure or hazard note on file.
- No closure on file
- Closed, or no soaking or swimming
No swimming holes match.
| Name | Water type | Access | Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Development Creek pool | Access – | Fee Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year) or Interagency pass was required when parked at Splinters Cabin (when open). | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| Development Lake cove | Access 6 mi hike (round trip), gravel road | Fee No entrance or day-use parking fee | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| Development River | Access paved road | Fee $10 at Bridgeport north/south lots; cemetery lot and legal roadside free | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| Development River | Access – | Fee No parking fee at Edwards Crossing | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| Development Lake cove | Access 2 mi hike (round trip), paved road | Fee $10/day or $3/hour; CA State Park day-use pass OK; federal passes not | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| Development Lake cove | Access paved road | Fee $10/day or $3/hour year-round; CA State Park day-use pass accepted | Status No closure on file | |
| Development Waterfall basin | Access 3.5 mi hike (round trip), paved road | Fee No fee | Status No closure on file | |
| Development Lake cove | Access paved road | Fee Entry / day-use fee required at the gate (confirm current amount with the resort before arrival). | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| Development River | Access – | Fee No parking fee at Purdon Crossing | Status Closure or warning on file |
Photo credits (7)
- Bass Lake: Thewellman, CC0
- Bridgeport: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Emerald Bay: Eric Philbin, CC0
- Kings Beach: U.S. Department of the Interior, CC BY-SA 2.0
- McCloud Falls: Sergey Yarmolyuk, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Meeks Bay: Sdkb, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Purdon Crossing: blmcalifornia, Public domain
Common questions
Where are the swimming holes in California?
9 named swimming holes are on record: Aztec Falls, Bass Lake, Bridgeport, Edwards Crossing, Emerald Bay, Kings Beach, and 3 more.
Are there free swimming holes in California?
Yes. No fee on record for McCloud Falls. Each page cites its source.
Are any swimming holes in California closed?
A closure or hazard note is on file for Aztec Falls, Bass Lake, Bridgeport, Edwards Crossing, Emerald Bay, Meeks Bay, and 1 more. Each page has the dated detail.
