Jones Bar
Nevada City, California · on Rush Creek · South Yuba River State Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Local spot, unofficial
- FEE
- $10
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Jones Bar
Jones Bar is a swimming access point on the South Yuba River in South Yuba River State Park, near the site of a former Gold Rush-era mining town and reached where Rush Creek meets the Yuba. It is accessed via a steep 0.4-mile spur off the western end of the Independence Trail, a historic flume-route trail near Nevada City, California.
Jones Bar sits in the South Yuba River canyon within South Yuba River State Park, at the point where Rush Creek joins the South Yuba River. The area was once the site of the Gold Rush-era settlement of Jones Bar (now historical/unpopulated) and lies along the route of the Independence Trail, a wheelchair-accessible flume trail on the canyon rim above.
Swimming at Jones Bar
Swimmers reach the river via a steep, unimproved 0.4-mile spur trail down from the Independence Trail, dropping into a river-canyon swimming hole on the South Yuba. A local trip-report site describes the hike in as 'rather challenging' and had not been explored in full detail by that author; a longtime SYRCL member recalled bringing a group of teenagers there to swim as early as 1970, indicating an established, informal swim spot rather than a developed beach.
How to get to this swimming hole
Reached via the Independence Trail's western section (near Nevada City off the Pleasant Valley Road / North Bloomfield Road area of South Yuba River State Park); from the west end of that trail, a steep 0.4-mile spur descends to the river at Jones Bar. Exact trailhead parking address was not found in sources reviewed.
The hike in
Independence Trail (west section), then an unnamed spur ('Jones Bar Trail')
- To the water
- ~1.5 miles west along the level Independence Trail to the Jones Bar Trail junction, then a steep 0.4-mile spur (one-way) down to river level at Jones Bar
Difficulty: moderate to hard overall: the Independence Trail itself is 'level and shady' (built as a wheelchair-accessible flume-route trail), but the final 0.4-mile spur down to Jones Bar is steep and unimproved; a firsthand visitor account from 2020 calls the full hike in 'rather challenging.'
Trailhead: West trailhead of the Independence Trail, located near the Highway 49 crossing of the South Yuba River (South Yuba River State Park); no exact address/lot name found in sources reviewed.
The Independence Trail runs roughly 1.5 miles either direction from its Highway 49 trailhead; Jones Bar is reached by walking the west leg to its junction with the Jones Bar Trail, then descending the steep 0.4-mile spur to the river.
State park sources note the Independence Trail is 'partially closed to the public due to safety concerns' west of the Jones Bar Trail intersection toward Rush Creek (erosion/landslide damage to 'Flume 22' and lower sections); the Jones Bar Trail spur itself is described as 'newly re-aligned,' so the 0.4-mile figure may not reflect the current routing. Current on-the-ground status was not independently reconfirmed this session.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Not ideal for young kids
Reaching the water requires a steep, unimproved 0.4-mile spur trail down a canyon slope with rocky, uneven footing, and the South Yuba's moving water 'can turn dangerous very quickly' per the state park; one firsthand visitor account calls the hike in 'rather challenging.' Not a beginner-family spot; older kids and teens with supervision are more realistic (one SYRCL member recalled bringing teenagers here since 1970).
Parking
Available
Access is via the west end of the Independence Trail, described as located 'near Highway 49 Crossing.' No source gives an exact lot name, address, or capacity for this specific trailhead. The park charges a $10 vehicle day-use fee at its developed access points, but it is unconfirmed whether that is collected/enforced at this particular trailhead.
Water clarity
Clear
A firsthand visitor account from 2020 describes South Yuba River water generally as clear, with enough visibility and fish present that snorkeling is viable. This is a general Yuba River characterization from a visitor who admits they had not personally explored Jones Bar in detail, not a Jones Bar-specific confirmation.
Hours
South Yuba River State Park: day use only, sunrise to sunset. (Bridgeport Visitor Center separately open ~10am-4pm Wed-Sat, staffing permitting.)
On the water
South Yuba River State Park's official page states boating is permitted on the river generally, with loaner life jackets available at Bridgeport and the Highway 49 crossing, but repeatedly stresses that 'moving water can turn dangerous very quickly.' The park's own trail description characterizes the river stretch between Highway 49 and Bridgeport (which includes the Jones Bar area) as of interest mainly to 'expert kayakers' dealing with whitewater, not casual paddlers. No source describes any boat launch, carry-in point, or common put-in specifically at Jones Bar, and the steep 0.4-mile unimproved access spur makes carrying a kayak/paddleboard down to Jones Bar impractical. Left the allowed list empty rather than guess.
What regulars say
One firsthand visitor account from 2020 reports that Jones Bar's 'rather challenging' access hike rewards visitors with 'far less people' than more accessible Yuba swimming spots, though that visitor explicitly says they had not personally explored Jones Bar in detail and could not give further specifics on the pool itself.
Backstory
Jones Bar is named for a historical Gold Rush-era mining settlement at this location on the South Yuba River, now unpopulated (per nearby-towns context data listing it as '(historical)').
Jones Bar: FAQ
Does Jones Bar charge a fee?
South Yuba River State Park charges a $10 vehicle day-use fee at developed access points; unclear whether this applies at the Jones Bar/Independence Trail trailhead specifically.
Is Jones Bar kid friendly?
Reaching the water requires a steep, unimproved 0.4-mile spur trail down a canyon slope with rocky, uneven footing, and the South Yuba's moving water 'can turn dangerous very quickly' per the state park; one firsthand visitor account calls the hike in 'rather challenging.' Not a beginner-family spot; older kids and teens with supervision are more realistic (one SYRCL member recalled bringing teenagers here since 1970).
How hard is the hike to Jones Bar?
A hike is required, about ~1.5 miles west along the level Independence Trail to the Jones Bar Trail junction, then a steep 0.4-mile spur (one-way) down to river level at Jones Bar to the water. Wear real shoes, since approaches to natural swim spots are often rocky or rooty.
Where do I park for Jones Bar?
Access is via the west end of the Independence Trail, described as located 'near Highway 49 Crossing.' No source gives an exact lot name, address, or capacity for this specific trailhead. The park charges a $10 vehicle day-use fee at its developed access points, but it is unconfirmed whether that is collected/enforced at this particular trailhead.
When is the best time to visit Jones Bar?
Late summer (roughly July onward), when South Yuba River water levels drop to safer levels; one source explicitly recommends waiting until August rather than swimming in early summer high flows.
What are the rules at Jones Bar?
Park-wide day-use rules apply: open sunrise to sunset, no fires, alcohol, glass, or barbecues due to wildfire risk. A section of the Independence Trail west of the Jones Bar Trail junction (toward Rush Creek) has been under a safety closure order following the 2020 Jones Fire; current status was not independently reconfirmed.
What water body is Jones Bar on?
Jones Bar is on Rush Creek, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.
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