South Yuba River State Park: Hoyts Crossing Area

Near: Nevada City
Trip Type: Day Hike
Distance: 3 miles
Elevation: 1,200 to 1,500 ft
Vegetation: Transition between foothill oaks and Sierra pine forest
Last Visit: September 2018

South Yuba River State Park is one of just a few California state parks that allow dogs on trails.  The park consists of a series of disconnected chunks along the South Yuba river in the Sierra foothills.  In the late summer and early fall, a long string of cascades and swimming holes open up along the river as the water level drops, making it a favorite local swimming spot.  On our first trip to this park we headed upstream from the Hwy 49 crossing to check out some of the most choice swimming areas (though crossing points farther upstream allow for longer hikes).  We followed the maintained trail out of this section of state park for a bit less than a mile, then a half-mile or so of unmaintained use trails to some excellent water-carved rocks for lounging in the sun and jumping into the river.

Rules:

Dogs must be on leash in the state park, though at least on this section of trail the boundary was well marked so we let our dog off leash after that.  No permits or fees for day use. No camping.  The beach at Hoyt's crossing along this path is considered clothing optional, though I'm not sure that's codified in any official way.

Trailhead:

A pullout off California Highway 49 just south of the bridge over the South Yuba River, a few miles north of Nevada City

Recommended Eats on the Way:

Calla Lilly Crepes

Route:

Cross the pedestrian bridge from the main parking area to the north side of the river.  There you will find some steps leading up hill and up-stream.  This trail runs about 100 feet above the river for a bit under a mile, with occasional paths down to the river.  There are lots of inviting swimming spots right under the bridge and on the early section of trail, but the density of teenagers, loud music on phones and boomboxes, and pot smoke will decrease the farther up the trail you move.  After about two thirds of a mile the trail will descend slightly as it exits state park land.

You'll pass a trail intersection marked with a vertical post.  From here the Hoyt's Crossing Road Trail climbs north away from the creek.  Don't take that trail.  But continue upstream and from this point on staying left is the best bet to keep from being shunted down to the river as the trail maintenance stops.  You will see a sign for the Hoyt's Crossing (Nude) Beach around this point so pull off here if that's your bag.

If you keep heading upriver the trail will climb a hundred feet or so to get above some steep sections of the river canyon.  Take some of the side trails down from this high section to reach some of the most dramatic jumping rocks. Exercise caution of course! Don't jump off any big rocks without scoping out your landing zone well.  If you keep on the main trail it will eventually descend to the more level section of ground on the north side of the river.  This was as far as we made it.  Some use trails do continue to climb along the river upstream from this point, but they were getting a little to small and overgrown for our taste.  Remember there is poison oak at this altitude!

CalTopo map: https://caltopo.com/m/45B9

Our approximate route along the river

Photos:

The pedestrian bridge over the South Yuba River as seen from the trail upstream

A string of swimming holes upstream of the Hwy 49 crossing

Some water-carved rock benches and high jumping rocks upstream of Hoyt's crossing.