Swimming Holes Home Page

What is the Guide to Natural Swimming Holes?

A guide to adventure amidst the ancient Redwoods of Humboldt County.

The GUIDE gives complete directions to more than 30 swimming holes in the crystal clear rock bottom rivers of the Mad River Wilderness and Eel River system. From Highway 101 in Humboldt County, you can find places for you and your family to spend the day enjoying the same refreshing waters that nourish the Redwoods.The water is clear and absolutely refreshing. Get your GUIDE, grab friends (never swim alone) and family, pack a lunch, river shoes and beach blankets and head for the river.

From the Avenue of the Giants in Southern Humboldt to Blue Lake in Northern Humboldt you can enjoy vistas which include beautiful rivers, quaint towns with fresh food markets and novelties or long stretches of solitary beaches.

A Natural Swimming Hole to Enjoy

Grizzly Creek State Park

Grizzly Creek State Park. During the summer, a bridge is strung across
the river to reach this hole and other beach spots. This is a good spot for
the whole family to enjoy.

From the Guide, I am including directions to a swimming hole on the Van Duzen River (the photo above).
Easy access to the river is within Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park about 17 miles east of Highway 101 on Highway 36. Enter the park and pay the day use fee of $5 per car (Overnight camping is available.) Parking areas are to the left and right in front of the park office. Walk 50 yards down to the access trail to the dry wash. Scope out the situation because to the right is a foot-bridge (see photo) that will take you to the other side. Once over the bridge, turn to your left going upstream–and head to the rocks that jut out into the river (Inset photo). This is the deepest part, the swimming hole. Get wet or not. But I suggest jumpin’ in.

The 4th Edition

The 4th edition of the Guide to Natural Swimming Holes features directions to 30 swimming holes,
GPS coordinates to newly listed holes, where the family dog can go and more...

Here is an excerpt from the book.
"Walk upstream past the first bend in the river to clothing-optional swimming holes and frequent small
beaches in the Mad River wilderness. Leave only footprints..."

Take the GUIDE with you for a summer of fun in the cool, clean waters of Humboldt County.

Guide to Natural Swimming Holes

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