By Marie Caballero Uhtoff

Standing on the rock looking down into the incredibly blue mountain lake we had just hiked into in the Marble Mountain Wilderness I hesitated to jump knowing how cold that melted-snow fed water would be but on a hot summer day, water is irresistible.   I held my breath and took the leap.  Once in, that take-your-breath-away cold mountain water and the deep blue sky above tells me: “ahhh, summer…”  Nothing feels quite like summer as a dip in a beautiful natural swimming hole.

The summer heat is searing and it is time to hit the refreshing swimming holes in Southern Oregon and Northern California.  Stop by the Northwest Nature Shop and whether you just want to take the kids for a close-by refreshing dunk or hike into a cool mountain lake, we’ll point you in the right direction. Here are a few favorites:

Ashland Creek Reservoir.  This is where we go after work or just when we need to cool off and we don’t have time to go far from town.  The water is very cold but hey, it gets hot in Ashland, it feels good!  It is fun to explore up the creek from the reservoir to the Fairy Ponds as well.  My youngest son likes to take nets from the Nature Shop and try to catch fish. Ride your bike up though Lithia Park and you’ll really be ready to jump in or drive and park above the swimming reservoir off Granite St.

Fish Hatchery County Park on the Applegate River 15 minutes outside of Grants Pass, near Murphy, Fish Hatchery Park is popular for swimming and hiking. The slow moving water and beach areas make it a good place to swim with young kids. There are shaded picnic areas.   Combine swimming and hiking with one of trails starting from the parking area.  A 6 ½ mile roundtrip hike up Bolt Mountain offers views of the Applegate to Mt Ashland and the Siskiyous. There is a $5 day use parking fee.

Illinois River.  Make the trip out here and you’ll be rewarded with sandy beaches, deep green swimmable pools and jumping rocks.  From Grants Pass go South on 199 towards the coast for 20 miles to Selma.  Turn right on Illinois River Rd 4.3 miles to the first of 3 beaches.

Wood River, Klamath County Photo Credit Justin Bailie

Wood River The crystal clear turquoise water at the headwaters of Wood River is absolutely stunning.  The water is incredibly cold so your swim will most likely be brief.  My legs feel numb after a few minutes in the water!  Enjoy the calm river by kayaking from the Jackson F Kimball Recreation Site down to the Wood River Day Use take out.  You’ll need to shuttle a car.  There are several primitive camp sites at the headwaters.  Wood River is 1 hour 40 minutes from Ashland.  There are many beautiful enticing places to stop on your way including Lake of the Woods and Rocky Point Resort.

Lake of the Woods. One hour from Ashland in the Southern Oregon Cascades, Lake of the Woods is a beautiful, natural clean lake with a year-round resort, two campgrounds and many summer vacation homes scattered in the woods at the edge of the lake. There is a roped off swimming area with a beach, near the resort. From Ashland, take Indian Memorial Road 38 miles to the Lake of the Woods Resort.

Lake of the Woods

Lake Siskiyou. Crystal clear water at the base of Mount Shasta. With an impressive view of Mount Shasta, Lake Siskiyou is a popular lake for fishing, sailing, swimming, hiking and camping. Kayaks and paddle wheelers are available to rent at Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort https://lakesiskiyouresort.com/.   Just a heads up- it gets very busy on hot summer days.  Lake Siskiyou is 1 ½ hours from Ashland, near the town of Mt Shasta.

Castle Lake Seven miles from Siskiyou Lake, Castle Lake in the Trinity Mountains is secluded, beautiful and a refreshing glacial lake for a swim. It can get crowded on hot summer days so if you are up for a hike, leave your car at the Castle Lake parking area and hike to small, peaceful Heart Lake, a 2.2 mile roundtrip climb.

Taylor Lake.  Just barely in the Russian Wilderness in Northern California, Taylor Lake is a short easy .3 mile walk from the trailhead. Go for the day or spend the night.  This was the first place I took my 2 older kids backpacking when they were 2 and 4 years old. The clean water and surrounding granite peaks provide the perfect destination for young hikers. It’s approximately a 2 hours drive from Ashland to the trailhead. From Etna, travel west on County Hwy. 1C01 for approximately nine miles to the junction with Forest Service Rd 41N18. Head south on this road for about two miles to the Taylor Creek Trailhead.

Squaw Lakes.

Sparkling clear green water surrounded by pines, and willows with rope swings and beaches make Squaw Lake a swimming favorite.  From Ruch take Upper Applegate Rd to Applegate Lake. Turn left over the dam.  Follow approximately 7 miles to large parking area.

Little Squaw Lake. Seven miles up Squaw Creek Road from Applegate Lake.

Crater Lake Although it’s a 2 ½ hour drive from Ashland, Crater Lake is on our list of best swimming spots because its Crater Lake, one of the most beautiful places in the world, but it is not for everyone – it is not recommended for kids or for anyone who isn’t a strong swimmer. Crater Lake is deep, steep and cold. It is also a challenge to get to the one spot where it is safe and legal to swim. The Cleetwood Cove Trail drops down 700 feet from the rim to the edge of the lake, one mile each way.  Swimming is only allowed within 100 yards of Cleetwood Cove. Many people just see Crater Lake from the rim, hiking down to the lake and jumping in the invigorating waters allows you to have a close encounter with the gem of Southern Oregon.

Smith River We can not go to the Oregon coast in the summer without stopping at the Smith River for a swim in its clear turquoise waters.  There are many places to swim in the Smith along Hwy199 , but we like Myrtle Beach at the turnoff to Douglas Park Drive after the small town of Hiouchi that goes to the Stout Grove in the Redwoods. The trail down to the swimming beach is steep.  There is often a rope swing off the bridge and boulders to jump off.

Jones Beach on Scott River The beautiful Scott River offers several accessible swimming spots. One favorite is Jones Beach, with a sandy beach and slow moving crystal green water.  Jones Beach is an approximately 1 ½ hour drive from Ashland, 13 miles northwest of Fort

Many swimming holes entice you off the trail on the way to Sapphire Lake in the Trinity Alps Wilderness

Jones, California.

Trinity Alps  If you have a few days to explore pristine swimming holes, Trinity Alps in northern California is a

worthwhile destination. A couple hours southwest of Ashland, Trinity Alps is a remote and rugged wilderness area with picturesque alpine lakes. Caribou Lakes as well as Sapphire and Emerald Lakes are a few of our favorites for overnight backpacking trips.

Marble Mountains. The Sky High Lakes in the Marble Mountains is a wonderful destinaton to set up camp and spend a day or two relaxing by one of the three lakes, Frying Pan, Upper and Lower Sky High Lakes or as a base camp to further explore into the wilderness area. The 13 mile roundtrip hike from the trailhead has an elevation gain of 2300 feet.

Shadow Lake in the Marble Mountains Wildernes

Middle Fork Applegate Trail. Deep emerald swimming holes invite along this beautiful trail.  From Ruch take Upper Applegate Road towards the Applegate Lake. Pass the lake, go over the bridge, and turn left at the T junction onto Applegate Rd for 1.2 miles, then right on gravel road 1040 for 5.1 miles. At junction go straight on Road 1035 and you’ll see the trailhead on the left.

Willow Lake Located near the base of Mt Mcloughlin, picturesque Willow Lake is a Jackson County-owned reservoir with tranquil waters perfect for swimming, kayaking or paddle boarding. There is a campsite with yurts or cabins available to rent in addition to tent sites.  Keep an eye out for algae-related health advisories that prevent you from being able to swim.    A day use fee is charged. Willow Lake is approximately an hour and 15 minutes from Ashland.

The Northwest Nature Shop is a family owned nature store that helps adults and children learn about nature and science, including field guides, hiking and biking trail maps, bird feeding products, toys and gifts for the home and garden. Our store is a fun place to visit.  Come by and share your recent adventures. And…please be safe while you’re enjoying Southern Oregon’s swimming spots!