Nestled In The Sierra Nevada Is A Premier California Swimming Spot With Easy Access To Scenic Trails

For the wild at heart, California's Gold Country beckons with rugged mountain scenery and rushing rivers that make the long, sandy beaches of Southern California seem a world away. Carving its way through rocky canyons, the South Yuba River embodies the untamed — and at times dangerous — beauty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Its bright emerald waters are inaccessible most of the year due to fast-flowing currents and shockingly cold temps, but during a narrow window in the summer, hundreds of thousands of people descend upon the river. One swimming spot that should be at the top of your bucket list is Purdon Crossing.

Situated 25 minutes outside Nevada City, Purdon Crossing is a historic metal bridge and also the access point for several seasonal swimming holes. While Hoyt's Crossing experienced unprecedented crowds and parking challenges in summer 2026, Purdon Crossing is harder to get to, so it generally attracts fewer people. However, those that make the journey will be rewarded with crystal-clear water and unadulterated nature. You won't find sandy beaches or comfy changing rooms. Instead, visitors sun themselves on huge boulders, describing Purdon Crossing on Google Reviews as a "magical spot" and "my favorite place in California."

Although Purdon Crossing is part of South Yuba River State Park, little official information is available about the swimming spot, which may help it fly somewhat under the radar. To reach the bridge, you'll need to drive 5.5 miles along a road that turns to gravel. There's limited parking, so you'll need to arrive early. From the parking area, you can walk down the river until you find an appealing pool.

Swimming in a river like the South Yuba is never 100% safe, but some times are less risky than others. During the late spring and early summer (approximately April through June), snowmelt from the mountains swells the river with cold, fast-moving water, making it an absolute no-go zone for swimmers or waders. In fact, you'll even see signs reading "Stay Out, Stay Alive."

But during the mid-to-late summer, the flow slows significantly, and the water warms up. This is the safest time of year to swim and by far the most popular — especially on weekends. However, South Yuba River State Park still encourages caution: "Pick your spots carefully and avoid any place with even a modest current. Current combined with cold water temperatures can lead to disaster." The state park provides several photos that can help visitors identify dangerous rapids, but keep in mind that there are no lifeguards on duty here. In order to stay safe while swimming, visitors should also check the South Yuba River flow rate via Dreamflows. If the flow rate is under 100 cubic feet per second (cfs), swimming in a calm area can be safe, as long as you use caution and don't risk swimming alone.

In terms of atmosphere, Purdon Crossing is more of an adult hangout and has a clothes-optional culture. You won't find official guidelines about nudity, but some hikers expressed surprise after encountering naked people. For a kid-friendly outing, head to Family Beach's sandy shore, a swimming spot also within California's iconic South Yuba River State Park.

Even if you're not a swimmer, Purdon Crossing has a lot to offer. It's one of the main access points for the South Yuba Trail, an approximately 20-mile route that starts in Tahoe National Forest and ends at Purdon Crossing. Hikers consider the route challenging, citing the overgrown paths (watch for poison oak) among other factors. "The South Yuba Trail cuts through the rocky cliffs and bluffs of the river canyon, winding up and down and around. Very little of the trail was flat terrain," per the outdoor experts behind Must Bring Snacks. 

From Purdon Crossing, hikers can embark on a more manageable section of the South Yuba Trail: The approximately 5-mile hike (one-way) to Edwards Crossing. This section is fairly shady and passes by fern-lined streams, rock formations, and woods. Some hikers start the trail from Edwards Crossing in part because the road to the bridge is paved, but there's no reason you can't embark from Purdon Crossing as long as you follow park ranger tips for staying safe while hiking. 

Alternatively, explorers can start at Purdon Crossing and hike to the Round Mountain ridge.  You'll need to follow the South Yuba Trail until it connects with the Round Mountain Trail. Measuring around 8 miles (there and back), the path offers mountain views through the trees, but even though the elevation gain is about 1,600 feet, hikers on AllTrails describe the top as "anticlimactic." For a shorter hike and nearby Sierra Nevada scenery, try the easy Black Swan Trail with crowd-free birding.