On an attempt escape the hustle and bustle of the city here in California, I took off north on I-80 and pulled off at an exit just outside the Truckee/North Lake Tahoe area. Desperately searching for a trail on my maps that will bring me back to my nature roots, I discovered the holy grail of all secret spots, the Emerald Pools.
Finding the Emerald Pools
In a parking area just over a small bridge, I find an obvious trailhead heading east with the Yuba River on our right. After a short half-mile trek on graveled ground, the trees open up to a rocky bank.
And this is what I came for!
The crystal-clear teal water is incredibly inviting in the summer heat. There was no doubt I was going to jump in for a cool down, except I didn’t take into consideration that this water is from snow run-off. Whew! What a shock it sends through your body.
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Exploring the Emerald Pools Further
Thinking this area will definitely fill up if more people come, I decide to continue on a little further to search for some serenity. Across the river to the east, I take notice at another trail. Here at the base of the Emerald Pools, there is a massively large rock on the right that extends out. With about a 2 foot gap of water in between, this is the route I take to access the other trail.
As always when hiking to natural areas, follow the Leave No Trace principles like packing out what you pack in and being considerate of others. Learn more about Leave No Trace here
Crossing the river and climbing up on the banks, a short walk through the trees brings me above the water.
The Mini-Gorge of the Emerald Pools
Are you all ready for the most epic part of this whole experience?!
The Emerald Pools are at the base of where the Yuba River flows down and, because of that, it creeps through this little creek. With a harsh flow of water over time, the most stunning mini-gorge has taken shape here.
Crossing The Gorge
One of the reasons I love the backcountry so much is because I thrive on privacy and quietness. To find a spot like that, crossing the mini-gorge in the opposite direction is the only option. With the small waterfall and the large boulder sticking out of the water, I make an easy jump over to the other side.
A Smaller Emerald Pool
Hiking up the river about a ¼ mile further, I find just what I’m looking for in a smaller, more secluded Emerald Pool. With no one else in sight, I spend some time sunbathing and swimming around in the incredibly stunning water.
I spent hours here with the dragonflies and the sun rays and the only sound of the heavy flow of water. Absolute perfection!
Info for Hiking to the Emerald Pools
- Location: Nevada City, CA
- Type of Trail: Out & Back. Predominantly Foot Trail; Bikes have access but large rocks on the trail make it difficult
- Rated: Easy
- Distance: 0.5 miles
- Features: South Yuba River, Dry Creek Bed, Emerald Pools, Gorge
- More Info: If visiting in the springtime, beware of high water; the Emerald Pools may not be accessible during this time. The best time to visit for the full experience is late summer or early fall when the river has had time to dry up.
What to Bring:
Hiking Shoes, Water Shoes, Bathing Suit, Towel, Water, Sunscreen, Snacks
Read More California Travel Posts HereBefore heading in to natural areas, it’s imperative that you’re familiar with the “Leave No Trace” principles.
Read More: Leave No Trace: The 7 Rules of the Backcountry
Learn more about Leave No Trace on their website here.
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What a hidden treasure! I just moved to the area and hadn’t heard of these… thanks for sharing, I can’t wait to visit.
Oh my goodness I think you will LOVE living in the area! There is so much to do if you’re the outdoorsy type. Definitely check this place out, it was beautiful!
Any idea what makes them “emerald”? Are the rocks slippery under the water?
I think it’s due to the fact that all of the water comes directly from the snow run off from the Sierra Nevada’s, creating such a pure emerald look below the water. The rocks are slippery under the water YES! I would highly recommend some sort of water shoe for this!
Hi,
Is the mini gorge located on the east or west side of the road?
Hey! If you follow the trail to the big Emerald pool, cross the boulders over to where the water is flowing out and you will find it! 🙂
What is the water temperature like?
Freezing! The Yuba River is fed by the ice and snow from the mountains so it’s quite cold! Perfect for a hot day 🙂
Hi, I can’t find the location on Google Maps. Any chance you can add the address or maybe to send the name you wrote in the GPS navigation to get to the parking lot?
Thank you!
Hey! There’s no specific address as it was just something I found in the National Forest! The best I can do is just say to follow the specific directions in the post. I plan on going back in a few weeks maybe I’ll be able to give the specificities on coordinates then!
Where did you park?
At the trailhead in the parking lot on the right directly after the bridge!
I know you said there isn’t a specific address. Were you just driving through Tahoe National Park and saw a sign about the pools? Planning to visit this summer and not sure which parking lot or route to take to find the trail? Thank you!
Exit Interstate 80 at Yuba Pass (Highway 20). Head west and then turn on to Forest Rte 18 until you reach the South Yuba River Bridge. The parking for the trailhead is here and if you put in Emerald Pools in Google Maps it should take you there too 🙂
Hi there, I log on to your blog daily. Your writing style is awesome, keep it up!
I grew up with daily trips to these pools. There was a man with a wet suit that dove down 40+ feet. He stated that he was nowhere near the bottom, but stopped because the water was too cold. +/- 1973
I loved reading this comment! I didn’t swim down that far but I can only imagine how deep it really is. What a great memory to have!
I need to learn more about trails around the Yuba and Lake Tahoe.
I use the AllTrails app to find worthy trails wherever I am! Maybe you could give it a try 🙂
Love these photos, so beautiful! When you got to the river, did you go up or down stream to get to the pools? It was a bit hard to match the description with a map! Although I know you just explored around to find them!
And did you start by walking up on the left or right side of the river to get there?
You’ll be walking upstream with the river to your right!
Although still very pretty it was far from crystal clear like your pictures showed….obviously photoshopped. It was hardly a secluded oasis. The rocks were blanketed with people and no mater where I went they just kept coming.
Hi Connie. My visits are always towards the end of summer (August/September) when the water levels are much lower, displaying the clear water and rocks underneath; I do not use a Photoshop on my photos. Also, if more people are swimming, more silt from the floor bed will rise, leading to water that doesn’t appear as clear.