Lion Slide Falls

Near: Redding
Trip Type: Swimming Hole
Elevation: 3000 ft
Distance: < 1/4 Mile
Surface: Mud and creekbed
Vegetation: Forest

Last Visited in July 2015

Image Lifted from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvEdXLlhUvc

Lion Slide Falls is a gem of a swimming hole.  A 25 ft (30 ft?) fall drops vertically into a deep pool that's been enlarged by a low wall of rocks built around the perimeter. An old tree with some steps carved into makes an improvised diving platform and if you're really adventurous you can jump from the the high rocks to the right of the falls.  This spot is so much fun you won't believe it hasn't been shut down yet by some soulless lawyer.  Its not really a hike, but you could add some more adventure by trying to find Lion Wash Falls, supposedly further upstream.  We came here on a hot July 4th weekend and found it quite mobbed, but even so it was still quite fun.

Hat Tip: Found this spot in Tim Joyce's "Swimming Holes of California".

Getting There

Head east from Redding on CA 299 for about 40 miles.  Near Hillcrest, take a left to head north on Big Bend Rd.  It's only about a mile before the road takes a wide turn and you'll see a parking area on the right side of the road, just before a small bridge.

The Route

Follow the trail upstream (east) for just a few hundred yards.  When you reach the awesome waterfall, you're there.