Emerald Pools: A Wonderful Swimming Hole in Northern California
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California has no shortage of wonderful swimming holes, particularly throughout the Sierra Nevadas in Northern California. One such swimming hole, Emerald Pools, is one of the most popular for a good reason - it’s absolutely amazing!
If you happen to be driving through Interstate 80 between Sacramento and Reno on a warm summer day and you’re looking to break the monotony that driving long distances can bring, Emerald Pools is a great choice.
Additionally, it isn’t incredibly far from many areas of Tahoe, such as Emerald Bay State Park. Though Tahoe has an abundance of swimming holes (and the lake itself) all its own, taking a half-day trip to Emerald Pools is easy from virtually every side of the lake.
In the post below, I’ll discuss how to get there, the parking situation, things to look out for, tips, and more. Let’s get into it!
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Quick Stats
Location: Northern California, in between Nevada City and Donner Summit
Fee: None
Open: Spring, summer, and fall
Family Friendly: Yes
Cell Service: Good (based on Verizon service)
Restroom: Vault toilets in the parking lot
Parking: Small gravel/dirt lot
EV Stations: None
Difficulty: Easy
Popularity: Moderate to high
Mileage: Quarter-mile from trailhead to first pool
Condition: Well maintained, obvious trail to the first pool
Features: Swimming holes, views of the mountains and river
Best Viewed: Warm days in spring, summer, or fall
Pets: Allowed
Drones: No signage prohibiting them
Hazards: Typical hazards of the outdoors/potential wildlife encounters
My Visit(s): June 2025
Emerald Pools Parking and Location
So how do you get to Emerald Pools? It’s actually quite easy, especially if you’re already in the general area. Emerald Pools is in Northern California, almost perfectly situated between Nevada City and Donner Summit.
If you’re traveling along Interstate 80, you’ll take exit 161 (Nevada City/Grass Valley). From there, you’ll travel a few miles before turning right onto Bowman Road. You’ll take that road for about 1.5 miles before arriving to the parking lot on your right, just past the bridge pictured below.
Emerald Pools’ parking lot is fairly small and is only partially paved. There are no officially designated spots. You’ll basically just find a spot in the dirt that makes sense. The only rule is you can’t park in front of the bathroom.
There is no fee to park or access the trail and there’s a vault-style restroom right there (though it isn’t well maintained at all, so bring these with you…you’ll thank me later). From the parking lot and the bridge, you’ll get a stunning view of the Yuba River.
Emerald Pools Trailhead
There are two trailheads that lead to Emerald Pools. The main trailhead (pictured above) can be found just off of the parking lot to the right of the restroom. The trail is wide, flat dirt, and flanked by towering pines. You’ll walk for roughly a quarter mile before ending up at the main pool.
To find the second trailhead (pictured below), which leads to a rocky outcrop on the other side of the main pool, cross the bridge that you drove over and go left. You’ll see a green gate ahead of you. This path is more of a forrest road but is still super easy to follow.
About a quarter-mile in, you’ll see a spur trail going through a clearing in the trees on your left. Go left and then notice the other spur trails on your left, center, and right. Choose the center one, cross the creek, and head up to the rocky outcrop by the pool.
This side is much less crowded and you’ll usually have more than enough room to yourself. The only downside is there isn’t any great spots to ease your way into the pool. If you’re looking to just jump in, though, it’s perfect.
Emerald Pools Swimming Hole
Coming from the main trailhead from the parking lot, Emerald Pools’ main pool will come into view shortly after starting your way down the trail. The shoreline on this side is rather rocky, though there are a few spots with either smooth rock or open dirt. There are also quite a few trees for shade.
If you’re here in the spring when Yuba River is roaring with fresh snowmelt, the pool will be rather full and deep in some spots. The water level actually rises into the shoreline, covering the base of a tree.
As summer progresses and the snowmelt dissipates, the water level in the pool will slowly go down. There will still be plenty of water to swim in, though, so don’t fret about that. There’s a chance you won’t be able to jump from the cliffside, though.
Facing the waterfall at the other side of the pool, look to your left and take note of the rocky cliffside. That is what you’ll traverse to access the thinner, far less crowded part of the river that you can also swim in.
Again, depending on the time of year, this part of the river could be roaring and therefore, dangerous to access. If you see fast moving water, don’t risk it. If you have your heart set on taking a dip here, it’ll be best to visit in late summer or fall.
The day I was here it was fairly quiet in terms of crowds. I arrived at around 10am on a weekday and found the parking lot nearly full, but not that many people at the pool. If you’re coming on the weekend, get here even earlier than that.
If you’re used to the sandy lake floor of Lake Tahoe, be warned that the floor here is rather rocky. If you don’t already have them, I suggest purchasing and bringing along these quick drying barefoot water shoes by Racqua. They’re good to have while recreating in lake, river, and even ocean waters.
Again, be sure to get here early to avoid disappointment. It gets very crowded here and it isn’t a big space. Also, be sure to pack out what you brought in. Unfortunately, I saw a hefty amount of trash discarded around the pool.
Regardless, it’s a gorgeous spot that’s perfect for cooling off on a warm day. If you’re looking for more to do along this stretch of Interstate 80, consider taking a hike through the historic Donner Tunnels and visiting the Donner Camp Site, where members of the ill-fated Donner Party met their demise.
Buy me a coffee?
If you found this blog helpful, consider leaving a tip through the Buy Me A Coffee button below! Whether it’s $1 or $5, every bit helps offset small travel costs like coffee, water, lunch, parking, or park entry fees. Your support means the world—thank you!
