Swimming at Lower Falls on the McCloud River, Northern California

Looking for more swimming holes in Northern California?
Check out Myrtle Beach in the Redwoods and Medicine Lake in Modoc National Forest!

SWIM

The McCloud River flows with cold, clear water, just right for cooling off on a hot day. Water flow varies at different times of the year, and in 2021, the water was already low in early July. This made it safer for kids (supervision still required, of course), but like all rivers, you should assess the situation when you arrive before swimming.

The swimming hole below the small waterfall is wonderful — moderately deep with room to float and swim. Go against the current to reach the waterfall and enjoy a shower underneath its spray. Ahhh! The downside is there is no easy way to reach the pool, unless you jump. As always, check the water below prior to jumping. The only other way down is via a steep, rocky bank. I had to help my five-year-old up and down this section.

Above the waterfall, the McCloud River is shallow and calm. At least, it was during our visit! When the water level is high, that could be a different story. When calm, this is a perfect place for kids to play in the water. There are also a few mini-rapids to provide a little excitement. Find a spot on the bank to set up camp, put your feet in, and relax. The riverbank gets more shade as the afternoon progresses, perfect on a hot day. Mind your step, as the rocky riverbed is coated with a thin film of algae that can be slippery.

We visited on a Thursday, staying from late morning until late afternoon. Throughout that time, many others came and went. At times it was fairly busy around the swimming hole, while at other times we practically had it to ourselves. Go early or late on a weekday to avoid crowds. Fortunately, even when busy, you can often find a little spot to call your own.

PADDLE

Want to paddle? Head to nearby Lake Siskiyou or the McCloud Reservoir. The McCloud River near Lower Falls is too shallow and rocky for paddling, but bringing some inflatables for floating is a fun option.

GOOD TO KNOW

• A day use parking area is located above Lower Falls. From here, you can view the falls at a distance.
• Picnic tables and a vault toilet are located by the parking area.
• Getting close to the falls requires descending a wide, well-maintained staircase, then traversing a rocky, volcanic landscape to reach the water.
• If you’re camping, stay at nearby Fowlers Campground (advance reservations strongly recommend). A paved trail from the campground gets you to Lower Falls within ten minutes walking.
• Fishing is allowed, but fisherfolk may prefer to seek out a quieter area away from the swimmers. Please note that cleaning fish in the stream is not allowed.
• An important word about safety: There are always risks associated with swimming in rivers and cliff jumping. Just because this was a safe experience for my family during our visit doesn’t mean it will be for you. The water level was low during our visit, which meant the area above the falls was calm and placid. Water levels and currents change dramatically throughout the year. Before jumping, assess the water for any potential obstacles and choose a safe spot to jump.
• Keep a close watch on all children, even good swimmers.
• Another important word about forest fires: Like many places in California, the Shasta-Trinity region is a hot spot for forest fires. Please check conditions before you visit.

HIGHLIGHTS

With crystal-clear water encircled by a shelf of volcanic rock, it’s easy to see the appeal of Lower Falls as a swimming hole. This natural pool provides a beautiful setting to relax and enjoy the best of summer in the West. The cliff jumping is not too high, and a highlight for many, but please use caution and jump at your own risk.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

The kids did not want to leave this magical spot. In fact, after spending much of the day near Lower Falls, they were disappointed to learn we weren’t going to hang out there the following day as well! Bring the floaties, water shoes or sandals, snacks, water, and plenty of sunscreen, but leave the sand toys behind — both the shore and creekbed are very rocky.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

As you might expect, the name “Lower Falls” implies that this isn’t the only waterfall on this stretch of the McCloud River. From Lower Falls, you can hike upriver to Middle and Upper Falls. Middle and Upper Falls are more impressive waterfalls, but Lower Falls is the best for swimming. Strong swimmers may enjoy swimming in the large pool below Middle Falls, but it can be dangerous for young children. The gentle creek by the Upper Falls picnic area is shallow and a good option for wading and playing.

For camping, check out Fowlers Campground, located a short distance upstream from Lower Falls on the McCloud River. The nearby town of McCloud offers groceries and a few eateries, including the lovely Sojourn Coffee. Head to the town of Shasta for more options, including the fabulous Yak’s Shack. Another great place to explore is Lake Siskiyou, which offers swimming, paddling, hiking, camping, and more.

After a late arrival to Fowler’s Campground the previous night (somehow, late arrivals seem to be a common theme in our camping experiences), we spent a lazy morning in camp. Our two-week trip was winding down, and I expected the McCloud River would be the perfect easy ending to our time on the road. I wasn’t wrong.

From our campsite, it was an easy walk down a paved trail to reach Lower Falls on the McCloud River. We first spotted the swimming area from above, a transparent ribbon of water rippling past sun-drenched lava rocks. The trail wound its way down to the riverbank, where we searched for a spot to unfurl our beach blanket in what little shade we could find.

After deciding on a spot to stash our stuff, we wandered down to the big swimming hole below the falls. A crowd had gathered at the edge, cheering on those who dared to jump into the jade green water below. I’m no cliff jumper, but that water sure looked inviting for a swim. But how to get down? There was no clear path. Other than jumping, it appeared that the only option was to clamber down a steep, rocky bank (pictured below). This was no concern for 10-year-old J, who quickly made his way down. Michael, meanwhile, stood overlooking the pool from above. Should he jump? Did he dare?

Well, off course he dared! Michael plunged into the water below with a shout (not sure if it was “Geronimo!” or more of a Goofy-style cry). I decided to make my way down using the land route, and carefully helped T maneuver the boulders. It was difficult to walk across the rocky shallows, but once the water became deep enough to swim, it was divine. With a little effort, I managed to swim against the current to the base of the waterfall, and took my turn cooling off under the pounding spray.

Later, when we were all once more above the falls, Michael realized something. His glasses were missing! He recalled passing them to J before jumping into the pool, but J had no memory of this. This set off an intense but fruitless search. Finally, hours later, I rechecked the area where Michael had first jumped, and found the missing glasses hidden in a narrow crack in the rock. Let this be a helpful reminder to all: when swimming, always be thoughtful when stashing your valuables and know exactly where they are.

It was past lunch time, but our campsite neighbor, together with her children, had arrived, and my kids didn’t want to leave. They were far too excited now that they had friends to join them in the water! Making campground friends is a high point for any child’s camping trip, so I agreed to walk back to our site on my own and return with sandwiches. Now the only tricky part was getting the children out of the water long enough to actually eat the sandwiches!

Encouraged by his new friend, 10-year-old J decided to take the leap into the depths of the swimming hole. Was I, as his mother, a tad nervous? Why yes, I was. Did he want a life jacket? No, of course he did not. I made sure that Michael was nearby, and J took the jump, then swam valiantly toward shore without assistance. Nailed it! Now, should you allow your children to do the same? That’s a personal choice, and one can never assume that conditions along the river won’t change or that a new obstacle won’t make its way into the water. Always assess the full situation before you jump, and have a plan in place in case someone needs help.

By now the shore was nicely shaded from the afternoon sun. We spent a few more hours relaxing along the river. When it was finally time to go, the kids still didn’t want to leave. They had yet to catch a trout with their bare hands, and they were so close! Reluctantly, they dragged themselves from the water and made their way to the trail. Soon, we were back at the campsite, looking forward to a dinner of hot dogs roasted over the fire, the perfect end to a gorgeous summer swim day on the McCloud River.