The Auburn area has several lakes and river pools where open-water swimming enthusiasts, such as triathletes, can swim during the warmer months of the year.

Cautionary Notes

• Please be advised that different water bodies warm up at different rates in the Spring, so exercise caution by wearing a wetsuit when appropriate.
• In river settings, also be aware that levels can be elevated in the Spring and early summer, making swimming unsafe due to swift water currents and water-borne debris.
• Lake settings are often used by powerboats: wear bright swim caps, use a swim buoy, and stay near the shore.

There are several open water swimming organizations in California, including a new one that just formed in 2018 focused on Northern California (NorCal Open Water). While there are many swimming areas available in the area, some of the most enjoyable are described below.

Just for fun, here is a link to a Capital Public Radio story about swimming holes near Sacramento…. Who knew?!

CLARK’S HOLE

Webpage This narrow half-mile long pool in the North Fork of the American River is less than a mile hike upstream on the Clementine Trail from the Confluence Bridge. This body of water is beautiful, and is at sufficiently low flows in the Summer to allow swimming. Be cautious on the trail accessing Clark’s Hole, and the steep descent down from the trail to the river. Also, be careful in shallow portions of Clarks Hole. A California State Parks parking pass is necessary for most parking spaces near the Confluence portion of ASRA

LAKE CLEMENTINE (pictured above)

Webpage – This is a 3.5-mile-long lake just upriver from Clark’s Hole. Lake Clementine terminates at the Clementine Dam, which can be accessed from the Lower Lake Clementine boat ramp area (map coordinates here). An ASRA parking pass is necessary to park near the boat ramp at Lake Clementine. A primitive path can be accessed that begins behind the Marina Host’s trailer, and runs along the lake. A small gravel and clay natural beach can be reached less than 10 minutes walk from the Marina Host’s trailer. From this point, you can swim away from the Clementine Dam, toward the upper part of the Lake. Do not begin or end a swim in the boat ramp area. Lake Clementine is narrow, with a fair number of water skiing, and other power, boats. Please exercise caution by swimming quite close to the shore. It is a deep lake, making this possible. Lake Clementine remains quite chilly into the early Summer, so please be very cautious, and wear the appropriate thickness wetsuit and cap when needed. Click here for ASRA additional details.

ROLLINS LAKE, Colfax

Webpage – Only about 20 minutes off of I-80 at the Colfax Exit, is this reservoir suitable for flat water activities.

FOLSOM LAKE

Webpage – This is a much larger lake, relative to Lake Clementine, and is heavily used also by powerboats and jet skis. Folsom Lake usually warms more quickly in the early Summer than Lake Clementine. The lake also varies in water levels, depending on rainfall and how much water is released from Folsom Dam. Different levels will result in various bottom features and shore plants being either covered or exposed. With its average of 75 miles of shoreline, there are numerous locations to swim.

Folsom Lake’s closest access point to Auburn is in the vicinity of Rattlesnake Bar boat ramp. From Rattlesnake Bar, open water swimmers can either swim up or down the shoreline. Please do not start swimming right at the boat ramp; rather, please walk either up or down shore to start swimming and avoid the boat traffic in the ramp area. There is no cordoned off area for swimmers. Please, as with Clementine, stay close to the shore in this narrow reservoir to avoid interactions with powerboats. The Auburn Triathlon usually holds it swimming leg in Folsom Lake, starting a Rattlesnake Bar (during events like these, this section of the lake is closed to power boats).

There is a designated swimming area at Beal’s Point in Granite Bay: it has an area cordoned off, keeping boats separated from swimmers. You will need a California State Park Pass to access Beal’s Point. 

LAKE NATOMA

Webpage – This lake is connected to Folsom Lake, and is a pleasant place to do flat water boating or SUPing. Power boats are not allowed in this lake, so it’s a good wake-free area for beginning flat water paddlers. A convenient location to launch from is Negro Bar (map).

CAMP FAR WEST RESERVOIR

Webpage – This Nevada County reservoir is accessed from Auburn by traveling some back roads. The route from Nevada St at I-80 via Hwy 193 takes about 45 minutes. Activities include camping, swimming, boating, water skiing, jet skiing, hiking, biking, fishing and horseback riding.

PRIVATE LAKES

Lake of the Pines is a 20 minute drive north of Auburn on Hwy 49 fro the I-80/Hwy 49 exit. Lake Combie is in Meadow Vista and it can be accessed from the Meadow Vista exit off of I-80, but also from the Lake of the Pines. These are examples of lakes accessible only to property owners within the general area of the lakes. If you know a home owner, they can grant you guest access.