Oak Bottom Campground

Camping fee of $10/night for a single site (includes one vehicle), $5/night for each additional vehicle; Senior Pass and Access Pass holders receive a 50% discount. No separate day-use or swimming fee was found.

Both official sources describe informal river access points rather than a developed swim beach: no lifeguards, no depth markers, no designated swim area. Recreation.gov and the Forest Service both flag the Salmon River here as producing Class 3-5 whitewater in spring runoff, so the current can be strong outside the lower, warmer summer flows when swimming is described as popular. Reasonable for kids with supervision in mid/late summer at calmer access points, but parents should check current flow/conditions first.

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Vehicle space is available at individual campsites, and Recreation.gov notes 'extra parking is available a short walking distance from the campground' for overflow vehicles. No day-use/swimming parking fee was found; the campground charges an overnight camping fee ($10/night for a single site including one vehicle, $5/night per additional vehicle, per the prior dossier) but day visitors parking to reach the river access points were not described as being charged separately.

Recreation.gov and the Forest Service both describe the Salmon River near Oak Bottom as 'popular with whitewater enthusiasts in the spring' with Class 3-5 rapids suited to experienced kayakers/rafters; this is a natural, undammed river with no locks/dams (confirmed via Wikipedia's Salmon River (California) entry), so no lake-style no-wake or electric-only rules apply. No official restriction on watercraft type was found, but no source confirmed canoe, paddleboard, or motorboat use specifically at this location, so those are left off the allowed list per no-guess rule. By summer, lower flows favor swimming over boating per both official sources.

Summer (roughly June through September) for swimming, per the Forest Service and Recreation.gov; the campground itself operates mid-May through mid-October. Spring brings high flows with Class 3-5 whitewater rapids favored by rafters/kayakers rather than swimmers.

Food and scented items must be stored in bear-resistant lockers provided at each site; bear-proof trash bins must be used and food never left unattended. Maximum trailer length is 35 feet; no electric, water, or sewer hookups at sites.