I tried to find the Potholes swimming hole years ago and completely failed. It was right after a major wildfire had come through the area, the trail was basically unmarked, and I gave up and turned around.
Last weekend I finally made it happen, and I’m still thinking about it. We went in June, and it was already 77 degrees by the time we hit the trail, so you work up a real sweat hiking in before you even get to the water. If you’re looking for a swimming hole near Lake Tahoe that doesn’t feel like the inside of a tourist trap, this is the one.
What Are the Potholes Swimming Hole
The Potholes are a series of natural granite pools carved out by the Silver Fork American River, tucked into Eldorado National Forest near Kirkwood and Carson Pass.
The water cascades through the rock in short waterfalls, maybe five feet at the tallest, and pools into these round, deep basins that stay ice cold even in the middle of summer. This is the old swimming hole people picture when they use that phrase: freezing clear water, natural rock slides, zero sign of a park department anywhere in sight.
No pool deck, no snack bar, just granite, pine trees, and a river doing its thing at 7,000-plus feet of elevation.
It sits right across the highway from Silver Lake, which makes it an easy add-on if you’re already up in that area, and it’s about a 40 minute drive from South Lake Tahoe. Hope Valley is close by too, so this whole stretch of Highway 88 is basically swimming hole central if you know where to look.
It’s also one of the more talked-about hikes in the area, with hundreds of glowing reviews online, so you won’t be the only one who’s heard of it. Just know that going in.
How to Get to the Potholes Swimming Hole (Directions)
- Coordinates: 38°40’05.5″N 120°07’19.9″W
- Google Maps pin here
The trailhead is off Highway 88 (also called Carson Pass Highway), about six miles south of Kirkwood ski resort, directly across the road from the Silver Lake day-use area. If you’re driving from South Lake Tahoe, take Highway 50 West to CA-89, turn right onto CA-88, and follow Carson Pass Highway for around 19 miles until you hit the entrance on your right.
There isn’t a big official trailhead sign, so this is easy to drive right past. What you’re actually looking for is a spray-painted rock that says “PH” with an arrow, which marks the start of the trail. Once you spot that, you’re golden.
Pro-tip: screenshot your Google Maps directions ahead of time. Once you’re up in this area you will not have cell service, so you can’t just pull up the map when you get confused.
I did this while staying in Pioneer, which was about a 40 minute drive up the mountain. If you’re coming from the Tahoe side, you’re looking at roughly the same drive time, just from the other direction.
The Hike In
This is about as easy as swimming hole access gets. It’s roughly 1.5 miles round trip, mostly flat, following the river the whole way, and takes most people around 30 minutes.
The catch is that you’ll have to scramble over some fallen trees and boulders here and there (this area had wildfire damage a few years back, so there’s still some deadfall on the trail), but nothing that requires real hiking shoes or serious effort. I wore Tevas the entire way and had zero issues.
You come out of the trees and the granite just opens up in front of you with the river running through it. The payoff doesn’t fully register until you’re standing in it, especially when you’ve already worked up a sweat getting there.
What to Expect at the Swimming Holes
Once you’re there, you’ve basically got a natural water park made entirely of rock. The pools are deep, round, and properly cold, not “refreshing” cold, and the little waterfalls between them create natural slides that people use to slip from pool to pool.
It’s popular, it’s a little risky, and I’ll admit I wasn’t brave enough to try it myself. I did watch a dog absolutely send it down one of the slides though, tail wagging the entire time, completely unbothered.
I have to talk about the cold plunge aspect for a second because it might be my favorite part of the whole hike. I got really into cold plunging after living in Copenhagen about five years ago (they have a huge swim culture there, people are jumping into freezing harbor water year round like it’s nothing), and ever since then I actively seek out waterfalls and rivers and lakes to plunge into wherever I travel, California included.
This spot delivers. You hike in and work up a sweat, then you dip into water that’s absolutely freezing, and it feels incredible against the heat. Because it’s fed by a waterfall, you get this constant flow of fresh, clear water instead of standing water, which makes it feel even more rejuvenating.
I got out and dried off almost instantly because of the elevation. My hair was fully dry within 20 minutes every single time I got out. There’s really nothing like that specific kind of cold on your skin.
If you cross the river and stay on the right side, that’s your main swimming and jumping zone. If you’re up for exploring a bit more, follow the left side of the river down about another half mile and you’ll hit a bigger waterfall and a quieter spot most people never bother finding.
On your way back out, stick closer to the river instead of the main trail and you’ll pass two more small waterfalls that are worth stopping for a photo.
This is a legit family spot too. I saw a couple with kids who looked about two and four years old splashing around without a problem, so it’s not just a destination for adrenaline junkies.
We also ended up hanging out for a bit with a mom, a grandma, and their two kids, plus their dogs, who were there doing the same thing we were. We chatted about living in California and all the random stuff there is to do up in that area. That’s the thing about spots like this, you end up talking to strangers in a way you just don’t at a crowded lake beach. Just keep a close eye on little ones near the current, especially early in the season.
Here’s the deal on the water itself: it comes from snowmelt, so early summer means a stronger, faster current, and by the end of summer it mellows out and gets a lot safer to hang out in. If you’re nervous about current strength, aim for a later summer visit.
Parking at the Potholes
This is the trickiest part of the whole trip, hands down. There’s a small dirt lot right next to the trailhead that fits maybe three to four cars, and you cannot block the gate there, people do actually need to get through.
If that lot’s full (and on a weekend, it probably will be), there’s a paid lot across the highway near Silver Lake for $5 cash. Bring cash. You will not want to be the person circling for parking for 20 minutes at 7,000 feet.
Best Time to Visit
Late spring through early fall is your window, roughly May through October. If you want a calmer current for swimming and less snowmelt chaos, aim for late summer.
If you want fewer crowds, go on a weekday or get there early. This spot pulls people from both the Tahoe side and the Nevada side, so weekends can get busy fast. We went in June and it was already 77 degrees on the trail, so plan for real heat on the hike in even if the water itself stays freezing.
Worth it if: you want a legit alternative to a packed Lake Tahoe beach day in the middle of summer, because Lake Tahoe turns into an actual zoo once the temperatures climb. Skip it if: you’re not comfortable with a bit of a scramble over rocks and downed trees, or you need real amenities like bathrooms and a snack stand, because there are none out here.
What to Pack
- Water shoes with good grip. I wore Tevas and they held up perfectly over the boulders and inside the slippery pothole floors. Do not try this in flip-flops.
- Mineral sunscreen. I like Blue Lizard for high elevation days like this since the sun hits so much harder up there.
- Polarized sunglasses. I wore my Goodrs the whole hike.
- A swimsuit, obviously.
- Lunch and water. We packed sandwiches from a local deli and some La Croix, though beer is totally fair game here too. Just pack out every single thing you bring in.
- Trash bags. There’s no trash service out here, so you’re responsible for hauling out your own mess.
- Screenshotted directions, since you won’t have service once you’re off the highway.
Potholes Swimming Hole FAQ
Is the Potholes swimming hole hard to find?
It used to be. There’s no official trailhead sign, but you’re looking for a spray-painted rock marked “PH” with an arrow at the start of the trail. It’s much easier to find now than it was a few years ago, but screenshotting your directions ahead of time is still a smart move since you lose service.
Is the Potholes Swimming Hole Safe?
Mostly, yes, but I want to be straight with you about a few things. The rock around the pools gets slick, especially near the waterfalls, so watch your footing. The natural slides are fun to watch but they’re actually a little risky, and I chose to sit that one out.
The current is strongest early summer from snowmelt runoff, so if you’re swimming with kids or you’re not a strong swimmer, later summer is the safer call. And because you’re at elevation with zero shade over most of the pools, sunscreen and water are non-negotiable.
How far is the Potholes swimming hole from Lake Tahoe?
About 40 minutes from South Lake Tahoe, making it an easy day trip if you want to escape the summer crowds on the lake itself.
Is the hike to the Potholes swimming hole difficult?
No, it’s an easy, mostly flat 1.5 mile round trip hike. The only real challenge is scrambling over some fallen trees and boulders along the trail.
Are dogs allowed at the Potholes?
I saw a dog there having the time of her life on one of the slides, so yes, just keep them on a leash on the trail and be mindful of the current in the water.
Is there parking at the Potholes swimming hole?
There’s a small free lot right at the trailhead with room for a handful of cars, plus a paid lot across the highway for $5 cash if that fills up.
Is there a bigger waterfall at the Potholes?
Yes. Most people stop at the first set of pools, but if you follow the left side of the river down about another half mile, you’ll find a bigger waterfall and a quieter, less crowded spot.
How cold is the water at the Potholes?
Very cold, even in June. It’s fed by a waterfall so the water is constantly moving and clear, and because you’re at high elevation, you dry off fast once you get out. My hair was dry within 20 minutes every time.
If you’re chasing swimming holes all summer, the Potholes deserve a spot on your list, especially if you’re already road-tripping through the Lake Tahoe area and want something less crowded than the state park beaches everyone else is packed into.
Have you been? Drop a comment below and let me know what time of summer you went and how the current treated you.
