San Lorenzo River Swimming Holes

Minutes from the heart of downtown santa cruz lies a quiet oasis on the san lorenzo river away from the crowds of weekend tourists.

San lorenzo river swimming holes. Even in late summer the water is deep enough for swimming and diving. Down past railroad tracks is a secret cove with chilly waters surrounded by rocky cliffs and shady forest. Walk down the signed path to the river then wade across to a peninsula that takes you to the big rock swimming hole. San lorenzo river henry cowell state park.

The water is cool but not frigid the sand is soft and warm. Garden of eden in henry cowell redwooods state park is a string of dozens of swimming holes in the san lorenzo river and a destination for locals and visitors from around the bay area. Your own swimming hole. Park at ox trail turnout on hwy.

The coastal watershed council cwc and san lorenzo river alliance released a technical memo last month indicating little to no human contribution to bacteria levels in the lower san lorenzo river. For a walk to a natural swimming hole park at the rincon parking lot a few miles south of henry cowell park on highway 9. To get there follow highway 9 through the santa cruz mountains and take the ox trail along the san lorenzo river. 9 walk down the hill to the railroad tracks.

Lured by the relatively short walk in about a mile two deep pools and some big rocks people flock here especially on sunny days. A swimming hole on the san lorenzo river in the middle of the santa cruz mountains. Head south following the tracks for about 12 mile. This swimming hole is named garden of eden due to its unrivaled natural beauty clear water lush curtain of redwoods and its often naked swimmers.