Gods Bath
Phoenix Lake-Cedar Ridge, CA, California
| GPS: |
37°59'8.9"N 120°3'10.8"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | California |
| Trail Length: | 0.90 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| Hike Difficulty: | Advanced |
Rivers Waterfalls Streams Rocks Ponds
Hike and Swim
God's Bath swimming hole in the Clavey River is a beautiful and popular location to take a dive in. However, the hike to get there is about one mile of rock climbing. The trailhead begins on a bridge, where there are ropes to help you along the steep trail down into the canyon. The rest of the hike is a little less than a mile, but it does require you to wade in the stream as you hop and climb over the rocks. The water at God's Bath is crystal clear, but it tends to get cold, so be sure to visit in the summer. There are also smaller pools on the way down to God's Bath which visitors can use to take a quick break on their treacherous journey to the official pool. There are also a handful of popular cliff jumping spots surrounding the pool.
Because it is so well known, it tends to get a little crowded, so visitors are encouraged to take out any trash or belongings they may have brought in with them.
The hike can be dangerous if you're not careful, so watch out for slippery or mossy rocks, as well as poison oak, which has been known to gather near the bridge.
More Information
Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Phoenix Lake-Cedar Ridge, CA, California
- Head south on Big Hill Rd/Hallermill RdContinue to follow Big Hill Rd(2.9 mi)
- Continue onto Longeway Rd (312 ft)
- Turn left to stay on Longeway Rd (0.4 mi)
- Turn right to stay on Longeway Rd (0.8 mi)
- Turn right to stay on Longeway Rd (2.5 mi)
- Turn left onto Soulsbyville Rd (2.1 mi)
- Turn left to stay on Soulsbyville Rd (0.7 mi)
- Turn left onto Tuolumne Rd (1.9 mi)
- Continue straight to stay on Tuolumne Rd (0.2 mi)
- Turn left onto Carter St (0.3 mi)
- Turn right onto Buchanan Rd (2.4 mi)
- Continue onto Fish Hatchery Rd (1.8 mi)
- Continue onto Forest Rte 1N04 (0.5 mi)
- Turn left onto Cottonwood Rd (0.7 mi)
- Turn right toward Cottonwood Rd (190 ft)
- Sharp left onto Cottonwood Rd (7.5 mi)
- Continue onto Forest Rte 1N04Destination will be on the left(4.0 mi)
From Sonora, take RT 17 (Tuolumne Rd.) east into Tuolumne. In Tuolumne, turn north to keep on RT 17 (Carter Rd.) then continue onto Buchanan Rd. then keep right onto Forest Road 1N04. Stay on that main road until you get to the bridge over the Clavey River. The coordinates will take you to a bridge over the Clavey River. (It takes about a total of 1 hour from Sonora to this bridge). Park near the bridge and climb down to river on west side of bridge. Walk upstream, clambering over boulders, for about 150 yards.Courtesy of swimmingholes.org