Hiking the Wild and Scenic Clavey River to God’s Bath
2015 Summer Update: Many of the parts of the Stanislaus National Forest that were closed to the public last summer because of Rim Fire dangers are now open again. Please use your common sense when attempting this or any trail – don’t go if there is a sign that says no access/closed/etc (yes, even if someone knocked it down or moved it out of the road). Check in online to see if there are any alerts or closures in the forest at http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/stanislaus/alerts-notices or call in ask in person.
The best swimming holes, like hot springs, are supposed to be secrets. Bring only your good friends, or those friends who always bring the best river beers, but for the love of all that is holy don’t broadcast that stuff. To be fair, God’s Bath isn’t much of a secret in Tuolumne County. I found this swimming hole via a Visitor’s Magazine website when I moved here. When I showed up to park the road was positively crowded with vehicles and people.
Even if God’s Bath isn’t a secret, please respect it as your own. These pools are great little escapes that we all share. If you pack it in, pack it out. Don’t bring down glass, for the obvious reason that granite, glass, and bare feet don’t mix. You could even be a rockstar and pack out any trash you find along the way.
Hike to God’s Bath
Directions: http://swimming-holes.info/item/gods-bath/
Distance: Approximately one mile up to the swimming hole, and then one mile back.
We started our trip at at around noon, which was a hard time to find parking, so I ended up parking in some sub-prime pullout with a brief walk to get to the bridge. While heading out we saw a good deal of families packing coolers, which in retrospect is a real commitment for whoever has to carry that sucker down into the canyon. The user path into the Clavey River Canyon starts from the Northeast corner of the bridge. There are ropes here to assist you in lowering down the steep and sandy trail. And, just to ensure you know you are in Tuolumne county, there is poison oak around. Now is the time to consider investing in a backpack cooler if you carried that sucker down here.
Cottonwood Bridge Above the Clavey River
After you reach the bottom of the canyon from there on out is it comparatively simple rock hopping/wading upstream for the next mile until reaching the pool. There are few smaller nice little swimming areas before the “Official” God’s Bath pool, which are nice to avoid the crowds/let your dog go nuts… But I mean, really, if anyone has gone through the effort of getting down from the bridge then they should at least get a look at the official pool, it is quite beautiful.
The Clavey River
God’s Bath Swimming Hole. And, yes, this photo has been altered to remove people.
It was an early Sunday afternoon, and as I mentioned this swimming hole is not a secret, meaning it was pretty busy. The Sunday crowd did seem nice though, a mix of families and friends. When we arrive one of more stagnant water holes had become a trash pit (most likely from the previous Saturday night), but one person volunteered to step in an scoop up the trash and some other couple took the trash back up and out. Which goes to show that people do care about this place, even if it sort of a giant party down there.
As we were leaving Curtis said we was glad we went, although maybe we wont ever again. The trip over from Groveland – or even Sonora – is a lengthy windy car ride, which seems silly when we have swimming holes nearer to us. What was not silly is finally getting down to on of the few places where the average person can see the illusive Clavey River – plus enjoying a really amazing granite pool. Definitely worth checking out at least once.
Curtis down by the river… Van not included.
Hello! I am a 30-something outdoors-lady, backpacker, and resident of Groveland, California - 
Ironic that I stumble on this to explain what was just lost in the Rim fire..
Denise, you are spot on about God’s bath…. Be choosy about who you tell about it, even then, most won’t make the effort to get there, their loss! Unfortunately my kids made it to within 1.5 miles of the bridge only to be turned back and ticketed bu the FS. Apparently the road was closed but not marked very well or gated, $175 each. I felt so great that they put their devices away for a day and that’s how it workd out. Your pics are awesome but as you know they do no justice. I’m following your blog thank you!
I am sorry about the fine your kids received, but if you are entering any area of the Stanislaus national forest right now – as of July 2014 – the
Forest Service put up signage to indicate which portions are still closed because of the Rim Fire due to safety reasons, including large logging operations. ALWAYS follow the on the ground signs. Right now Rainbow Pools off of hwy 120 is open, and that is an awesome legal alternative to visit while our community is still dealing with the aftermath of the rim fire. Another good option is cleo’s bath by pinecrest lake. Any questions about closures during the fire can be better answered by forest service staff, find their visitor office hours at http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/stanislaus/about-forest/offices
Hello, my kids and I just drove out there this morning to discover God’s bath is closed due to fire damage, and logging.
Do not go here you will get fined… God’s Bath wont be open until November. I called the local department to confirm. They are using the road for logging out all the trees that were burnt down.
Thanks for the update Brandon, I hope they do open it in time for next summer!
Thank you so much for this awesome write up. I have read about God’s bath for a few years now and never knew how to exactly get there, but with your help I think it may be possible. Also thanks to Brandon for letting us know it is closed until November. So next summer it may be a destination to find. We live in Manteca and are thinking of trying the Rainbow Pools. Is it easy to find with google directions?
Hey Jerod, Rainbow pools is open and a nice swimming hole. Also it is much easier to find – simply drive about 15 miles east out of Groveland on Hwy 120 and there is a big Forest Service sign on the right. Hope you have a good time! https://goo.gl/maps/Llyyo
Thank you so much! i can’t wait to try it out this summer! So many trickery out there getting you to go to hunters creek instead. Thanks again for the maps and directions
i wonder if its open now I want to go there next week .
Hey Rachel,
Was anyone able to answer your question? I tried to go last year and was fined by the federal police for entering a restricted area. Granted, I did ignore about ten ‘Road Closed’ signs and deserved the punishment. Any information is greatly appreciated!
Unless there are any unexpected closures this area should be opened this summer. I haven’t been down there myself, but because of the low water year this hole might get a little sad in the latter season. You can also check online for closures at http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/stanislaus/alerts-notices
Check out Clark Pools in Auburn below the Foresthill bridge. the best swimming hole off of Interstate 80 in the Sierra foothills.
I just called The Stanislaus National Forrest. Was told the pass to Gods Bath is open!!! She did warn about possible low water levels. Has anyone done the hike this year. Any info is appreciated. Thanks
I want to go and hike this in about two weeks but cant seem to find the location on mapquest? any tips? advice
Hello. A friend told me about this place and I’m olanning to hike and see this. I’m quite a beginner in terms of hiking and my friend told me that I will need a compass to find the god’s bath. Is it true or I just need to follow a trail?
My daughter and her friends want to visit here. Is it open for visitors? Are novice hikers okay to hike to the swimming hole?
Still closed due to fire damage & danger as of labor day weekend
It’s closed now anyway, but very irresponsible to post detailed directions on the internet to this treasure, opening it up to the graffiti, broken bottles and tons of other trash I saw when I visited just before the Rim Fire.
90% of people don’t seem to have respect necessary to keep from destroying beautiful place like this after they have enjoyed its pristine beauty. Please, please, please remove/don’t post specific directions. Take people you know and trust in person and please pass on the values of maintaining the integrity of these wild places.
Behr, I am sorry to hear about the trash and graffiti. Your right, this is a very common symptom of popular areas which are not managed as such. I have eliminated the specific directions as it seems closures in this area happen often enough that I feel uncomfortable having people blindly head down the river canyon despite multiple warning otherwise.
I do find it interesting that maintaining the integrity of a wild place is often seen as exclusive of sharing it with many people. How can people learn to love and respect nature if they are not themselves privileged enough to personally know a guide? I will work to create an introduction to this article to help emphasis the importance of keeping these baths enjoyable for everyone.
Could somebody please let me know if this is a good time to go to God’s Bath?
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IMPORTANT NOTICE!!! My friends and I made a trip to Gods Bath YESTERDAY and traveled all the way from San Francisco, to find the last 3 miles of ROAD IS CLOSED FOR construction until DECEMBER 2018. The fine if you drive on the road is $5000. According to a park ranger it is a 3 mile (walk) to the swim holes from the nearest place you can park outside of this safety area, but we didn’t come prepared enough to do that (shoe wise).
Is it still really closed?!?! I heard the road was closed years ago & it’s still closed……
Called again… Apparently it is closed. They’re saying until 2018! Ridiculous. Unless someone wants to walk the road or willing to pay