McCloud River - Middle Falls, swim hole
McCloud, California · on McCloud River · Shasta National Forest
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- waterfall pool
- FALLS
- Waterfall on site
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About McCloud River - Middle Falls, swim hole
Middle Falls is a roughly 50-foot waterfall on the Upper McCloud River in Shasta-Trinity National Forest, about 5-6 miles east of the town of McCloud, and is the centerpiece of the popular three-falls McCloud River Falls loop (Lower, Middle, Upper Falls). It has a deep plunge pool at its base that is widely known locally as one of the region's prime natural swimming holes.
The falls sit in the Upper McCloud River canyon within Shasta-Trinity National Forest, where the river pours over basaltic lava flows in a scenic, forested stretch protected as part of a federally designated Wild and Scenic River. The Middle Falls site includes a paved overlook with railings above the falls, reached via a trail that also passes Lower Falls (a picnic-oriented stop) and continues to Upper Falls.
Swimming at McCloud River - Middle Falls, swim hole
The waterfall drops into a deep plunge pool at its base, split into two smaller pools by a rock outcrop; the chamber of commerce describes the McCloud Falls area generally as home to some of the region's most notorious swimming holes. No source found gave specific depth measurements, official swim designation, or explicit cliff-jumping guidance for this pool.
How to get to this swimming hole
From the town of McCloud, head east on Highway 89 about 5-6 miles and turn at the Fowlers Campground sign; the access road follows the river past the falls loop trailheads and rejoins Highway 89.
Parking: Trailhead parking is available at the Lower Falls area along the McCloud River Falls loop road, from which the trail to Middle Falls departs.
The hike in
McCloud River Falls Trail (McCloud Falls Loop)
- To the water
- 0.7-1.2 mi one-way (sources vary: a trail guide gives ~0.7 mi from Fowlers Camp to Middle Falls, while measuring from the Lower Falls parking area the distance is closer to 1.2 mi)
- Time on foot
- roughly 20-40 minutes one-way at an easy pace, depending on which trailhead is used.
Difficulty: easy to moderate - mostly level/paved near Lower Falls with about 330 ft of total elevation gain over the full loop; switchbacks and wooden stairs on the climb up to the Middle Falls overlook are the main moderate section.
Trailhead: Lower Falls picnic-area parking lot, reached by turning at the signed Fowlers Camp turnoff off Hwy 89 about 5 miles east of the town of McCloud; the trail can also be picked up directly at Fowlers Camp, which is closer to Middle Falls.
Middle Falls sits roughly in the middle of the ~4-mile round-trip loop connecting Lower Falls, Middle Falls, and Upper Falls along the McCloud River.
Trail surface becomes rockier (lava rock) and less maintained beyond Upper Falls; an unofficial use-trail there descends to the river but is not part of the maintained route to Middle Falls.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
The lower section of the trail (Lower Falls to Fowlers Camp) is paved and gentle, but the approach to Middle Falls involves stairs/switchbacks and the overlook has railings right at cliff edges above the plunge pool, so young kids need supervision near the falls itself; no lifeguards are present.
Parking
Free
Free parking lot at the Lower Falls picnic area (reached via the Fowlers Camp turnoff off Hwy 89); no parking fee was mentioned in any source found. A trail guide also references parking directly at Fowlers Camp near the Middle Falls trailhead.
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms are available at the Lower Falls picnic area parking lot and again near the Upper Falls overlook, per a detailed trail-guide description of the falls loop.
Hours
No fixed gate hours found for the falls day-use sites specifically; best season is spring through fall, consistent with the surrounding Shasta-Trinity National Forest's general recreation season (roughly May 15-Sept 15) noted previously.
On the water
No source addresses watercraft rules directly. Given the site is a ~50 ft waterfall dropping into a rock-divided plunge pool on a National Forest falls-loop trail (per the existing dossier), it is not a boating/paddling destination in practice, but no official regulation banning watercraft was found, so this is not stated as a formal rule.
Backstory
The Upper McCloud River, including the falls, is protected under California's Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (1972); the falls themselves formed where the river flows over basaltic lava flows characteristic of the Cascade Range/Mount Shasta volcanic region.
McCloud River - Middle Falls, swim hole: FAQ
Is McCloud River - Middle Falls, swim hole kid friendly?
The lower section of the trail (Lower Falls to Fowlers Camp) is paved and gentle, but the approach to Middle Falls involves stairs/switchbacks and the overlook has railings right at cliff edges above the plunge pool, so young kids need supervision near the falls itself; no lifeguards are present.
How hard is the hike to McCloud River - Middle Falls, swim hole?
A hike is required, about 0.7-1.2 mi one-way (sources vary: a trail guide gives ~0.7 mi from Fowlers Camp to Middle Falls, while measuring from the Lower Falls parking area the distance is closer to 1.2 mi) to the water (roughly 20-40 minutes one-way at an easy pace, depending on which trailhead is used.). Wear real shoes, since approaches to natural swim spots are often rocky or rooty.
Where do I park for McCloud River - Middle Falls, swim hole?
Free parking lot at the Lower Falls picnic area (reached via the Fowlers Camp turnoff off Hwy 89); no parking fee was mentioned in any source found. A trail guide also references parking directly at Fowlers Camp near the Middle Falls trailhead.
When is the best time to visit McCloud River - Middle Falls, swim hole?
Summer, coinciding with the forest's general recreation season (roughly May 15 through September 15) noted by the Forest Service for this district.
What water body is McCloud River - Middle Falls, swim hole on?
McCloud River - Middle Falls, swim hole is on McCloud River, a natural waterfall pool verified in USGS hydrography data.
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