Hoyt's Crossing is a river swimming hole on the South Yuba River inside South Yuba River State Park, run by California State Parks out of its Sierra District office. It sits about three quarters of a mile upstream from the Highway 49 bridges, roughly 7 miles north of downtown Nevada City, in a steep granite and oak canyon that is part of the river's state Wild and Scenic stretch. The name comes from an old river ford on Hoyt Crossing Road, an early route between Nevada City and the gold camps to the north.

Getting there means a short hike. Drive Highway 49 north from Nevada City for about 7 miles; just before the highway bridge, a short drive on the right drops into a small paved lot with portable toilets. Walk across the old 1920s concrete bridge, now closed to cars, and pick up the Hoyt Trail at its north end. The path runs upstream along the canyon wall for about 0.75 miles with roughly 200 feet of total climbing, and side paths branch down to smaller pools on the way. Stay on the upper trail and look for the Hoyt's Crossing sign where it drops onto the main beach. The lots fill early on summer weekends, and the Highway Patrol tickets cars parked over the fog line on Highway 49. In summer 2026 Nevada County ran a $2 weekend shuttle from the county Government Center in Nevada City to the Highway 49 crossing, so check whether it returns before you count on it.

The swim area is a large, deep pool beside a broad river bar of boulders, cobble and patches of sand. The bar changes shape from year to year as winter floods move material around. The water is snowmelt and runs cold well into early summer, warming to comfortable swimming by July and August. There are no lifeguards. The Miner's Tunnel, an old mining bore, enters the river directly across from the beach. The area is a long-established clothing-optional spot, and you should expect nude sunbathers here.

There is no entry fee to walk in. The park's $10 vehicle day-use fee applies to the Bridgeport lots downstream, and no parking fee is listed for the Highway 49 lots. Hours at the Highway 49 crossing are sunrise to sunset, with no parking from 10pm to 6am. Posted rules on the trail ban alcohol, glass containers, camping, fires and smoking, and dogs must be on a leash.

The South Yuba is dangerous during spring runoff. The stretch around the Highway 49 crossing is known as one of the more hazardous parts of the park, and high flows sweep through the pool with strong current and submerged rocks. Wait for low, clear water in mid to late summer, and do not cross the river at the old ford when it is running high. Cell service is weak in the canyon, emergency response can take 30 minutes or more, and the nearest emergency call box is back at the Highway 49 bridges.

For a longer outing, the old Hoyt Crossing Road climbs out of the canyon from the crossing for about 1.6 miles each way with around 1,000 feet of climbing. Back at the trailhead, the Independence Trail starts a half mile south on Highway 49, and the pools right under the old bridge make an easier swim for anyone who doesn't want to hike.