Emerald Pools of the South Yuba River

The Emerald Pools of the South Yuba River provided a little adventure and a nice place to cool down from the summer heat.

Between Nevada City and Truckee, a short trail takes you to the pools that are surrounded by trees and large rocks. There are multiple spots to find a place to set yourself up depending on how much you’re willing to scramble. We carefully climbed up the river and away from the main access point to find a very teeny waterfall and spot to situate ourselves in the rocks so that we could feel the sun and dip our feet in the clear water. It is only recommended that you attempt to get in the water at the height of summer, otherwise it is too cold. Even in the end of July, we would still consider our dip in to be a cold plunge, only bearable for a few seconds.

The landscape here is truly stunning. Geology lovers will love the unique rocks lining the water. As the name suggests, the water is a serene green-blue color. We arrived by 11 a.m. on a Friday and not many people were there, but on our way out it was definitely busier.

Even though we just spent a couple hours at the Emerald Pools, those couple hours were a highlight of our summer. Whether you’re looking to relax on the rocks or play in the cool waters, we would recommend checking it out, specifically during the week when it isn’t as busy.

We went to Three Forks Bakery and Brewing for sandwiches after our adventure, and would highly suggest that too! Happy travels.