Swimming Holes On the Upper Sacramento River

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(Swimming holes are listed north to south.)

• Cantara Loop Hole
• Dunsmuir City Park Hole
• The Wall
• Soda Creek
• Conant Hole
• Sims Hole
• Gibson Hole
• LaMoine Hole
• Volmers/Delta
• Dog Creek

So you're ready to explore some great swimming holes! This guide will help. You'll find the local name of the hole, approximate size, location and directions, description of the unique qualities and red flags (aspects that might detract from the overall quality). Just for fun we have included a five star rating system based on the International Resort Rating Scale. We hope you have a great time and that you'll stop by Dunsmuir to explore the town and relax with a great meal.

Swimming Hole Equipment

• rubber river shoes
• mask and snorkeling
• sunscreen
• inner tubes
• life jackets for non-swimmers and small children

"The ability to use leisure time intelligently is the final test of civilization."
— Bertrand Russell

"Snorkeling and masking is my favorite thing to do. You never realize how much wildlife is in the river until you snorkel."
— George Rentschler

"The swimming holes on the Upper Sacramento are off the beaten path and are typically uncrowded. My favorite thing to do is jump off a rock, surface, and become part of the river by lying on my back and just flowing gently with the cool current."
— Diane Strachan, California Outdoors

Cantara Loop Hole

Location/Directions: About 5 miles north of Dunsmuir and three miles south of Mt. Shasta city. Take Dunsmuir Avenue north to Hedge Creek Falls and Mott Road. Take Mott Road north about 4 miles until Cantara Road, turn left and go 1 mile down to river. Turn right and park. Walk upstream 1/8 mile until you reach hole. Dirt access clear to river.

Size: 60' x 40'

Unique Qualities

• Very scenic
• Easy access
• Beach

Red Flags

• Colder water (great on extra hot days)

Rating: * * *

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Dunsmuir City Park Hole

Location/Directions: Park in Dunsmuir City Park. Walk on trail upstream of restrooms and go down hill, take a right on northbound trail, walk about 1/4 mile to large rocks, go down hill straight to holes.

Size: 40' x 50'

Unique Qualities

• Good shade
• Huge rocks in hole to climb on
• Fun to jump into slow current and then let yourself flow into calm area
• City Park facilities close by

Red Flags

• Faster current is not appropriate for smaller children unsupervised
• Look out for poison oak during walk in

Rating: *

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The Wall

Location/Directions: Center of Dunsmuir. From Brown Trout Gallery on Sacramento Street go south and turn left on Butterfly Ave. and go over bridge. Turn right and drive 1/2 mile; find parking on right near picnic table. From picnic table walk down to hole.

Size: 20' x 50'

Unique Qualities

• Close to town, local flavor and fun. Near restaurants.
• Nice easy-going flowing spot
• Picnic table nearby

Red Flags

• May be other people there on weekends
• Good fishing, too

Rating: *

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Soda Creek

Location/Directions: Go south. on I-5 to Soda Creek exit. Drive down to bridge and park on right or left. Hole just upstream from bridge. Hole about 4 miles from Dunsmuir.

Size: 30' x 60'

Unique Qualities

• Very easy to find
• Easy access
• On road to Castle Crags State Park
• Fun moving current

Red Flags

• Sometimes has a little garbage

Rating: * *

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Conant Hole

Location/Directions: 10 miles south of Dunsmuir take Conant exit. Go underneath freeway to east side, take first right on dirt road and park facing train tracks. Walk 100 yards downstream. Look for small trail leading to river.

Size: 25'

Unique Qualities

• Private
• Beautiful rock formations & great jumping
• Fun moving water
• Island in middle

Red Flags

• No shallow wading areas for children

Rating: * * * *

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Sims Hole

Location/Directions: From Dunsmuir, 15 miles south take the Sims exit, cross under freeway and go 1/2 mile across tracks to river. Park on track side of river and walk up next to tracks near bridge and walk 1/4 mile upstream until you come to hole.

Size: Big pool 200'

Unique Qualities

• Below cascading Sims Riffles
• Beach (rock, not sand)
• Shade

Red Flags

• Fairly steep but short trails down to water

Rating: * * *

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Gibson Hole

Location/Directions: Travel 20 miles south of Dunsmuir, take Gibson exit. Take Frontage Road down and under freeway (it parallels freeway). Cross small creek on bridge and park in large dirt area on right. Cross road and look for trails down to river.

Size: About 25'

Unique Qualities

• Long flowing pool with shelves to jump from
• Good for snorkeling

Red Flags

• No wading - not good for young children
• Sound of freeway near-by

Rating: * * *

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LaMoine Hole

Location/Directions: Take LaMoine exit off I-5, 25 miles south of Dunsmuir. Stay to right side of freeway. Take first left. Cross Slate Creek on bridge, and drive 200 yards and park at top of hill with steep road leading off left towards river. Walk 300 yards down 4 wheel drive road, cross tracks and look for trail to swimming hole.

Size: Huge pool 60' x 150'

Unique Qualities

• Solitude and privacy (usually)
• Great for kids
• Sandy beach
• Interesting rock formations

Red Flags

• 1/4 mile walk in

Rating: * * * *

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Volmers/Delta

Location/Directions: Travel 27 miles south of Dunsmuir. Take the Volmers / Dog Creek exit. Go under freeway turn left and an immediate right. Drive down hill about 3/4 mile. Park when in view of tracks. Walk over tracks straight toward river and down trail.

Size: Huge 80' x 250'

Unique Qualities

• Awesome rock formations and cliff wall
• Sandy beach
• Blackberries in season
• Slow water
• Good for kids

Red Flags

• Possible garbage and crowded on weekends

Rating: * * * * *

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Dog Creek

Location/Directions: Travel 27 miles south of Dunsmuir. Take the Volmers / Dog Creek exit. Go under freeway turn right on Fender Ferry Road. Drive approx. 2 miles and cross bridge and park. Follow trails downstream of bridge.

Size: Big 80' x 200'

Unique Qualities

• Flat beach (rocky)
• Slow moving with nice wading entrance
• Solitude
• Good for kids

Red Flags

• Rough and bumpy dirt road

Rating: * * * *

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