Picturesque views of the American River.

Being that we live in Sacramento, the Sierra Foothills is in our backyard and we often take road trips to explore Placer County. In the summer we have an informal tradition of planning girls trips to swimming holes and enjoying quality time in the great outdoors. We had previously gone to the Foresthill Bridge Swimming Hole in Auburn but this was our first time going to Yankee Jims Swimming Hole.

The scene at Yankee Jims is totally picturesque with turquoise clear waters surrounded by rocky mountains and a vintage style suspension bridge hanging way above. The water is a little chilly when you first get in but on a hot summer day it feels amazing. Between June - August the summer temperatures easily reach the 90’s to the 100’s.

The following blog post is all about the nitty gritty truth behind the beautiful photos you’ll see taken at Yankee Jims. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a beautiful place but a visit to this water hole is not as simple as it seems.

P.S. - This spot is also called North Fork American River Swimming Hole in the town of Colfax.

Walking across Yankee Jims Suspension Bridge.

The Controversy Over Yankee Jims Swimming Hole

I have to be honest and say that there's a lot of controversy over this once secret spot. Meaning that locals who have known about the swimming hole for a long time are not happy about all the recent attention it has gotten.

There's very limited parking and driving space for cars on the narrow dirt road leading up to the swimming hole. Last summer (in 2020) it got so crowded that the state parks closed it down and didn't allow any cars down Yankee Jims Road. I am honestly not sure if the road has reopened since or if you can walk on foot down Yankee Jims Road to the swimming hole.

I highly recommend anyone planning a trip to Yankee Jims do research to see if it’s open or have a Plan B in case you can’t access the swimming hole.

The Drive Along Yankee Jims Road is Treacherous

On Google Maps the road along Yankee Jims seems like any other but you quickly realize in-person that you’re teetering along a shaky dirt road on the side of a mountain. It’s a very steep drop down the cliff and there are no side rails to keep your car from tumbling down into the ravine. The road is so narrow that in most places only one car can fit at a time. There are also many blind corners and you cannot tell if another car is coming your way.

We encountered a few people who were driving fast and recklessly along the road and there were a few close calls. To be safe you have to drive very slowly for over 3 miles to get to the swimming hole entrance. Over 89 people have died on this road so don’t be an asshole and take safety seriously!

Poor Cell Phone Signal When Driving to Yankee Jims

During your road trip to Yankee Jims you’ll be going deep into the mountain wilderness and your cell phone service will be very limited. Make sure you’ve taken notes and screenshots to where you are headed to avoid getting lost.

Parking is Very Limited at Yankee Jims

When you reach the end of the dirt Yankee Jims Road there’s a small parking lot right before the bridge. There’s very limited space, I would say only about 10 cars can comfortably fit. If the parking lot is full then you’ll have to drive back to the main road. Don’t park on Yankee Jims Road because then you’ve blocked the other cars from leaving.

Driving Over the Bridge is Sketchy

The Yankee Jims Bridge is the the tallest suspension bridge in the state of California and it dates back to the 1930’s. This bridge definitely looks like it could use some maintenance and repairs and we were not willing to risk driving over it. We did see other large cars drive over it without issue, so drive at your own risk.

We never found out what is on the other side of the bridge, it could possibly be more parking or access to the swimming hole. If you know what’s on the other side leave a comment below!

FYI: This bridge is also known as the Colfax Foresthill Bridge.

Parks and Recreation $10 Cash Fee

Many of the outdoor areas we’ve explored around Auburn require a $10 cash fee to park. I can’t remember if we had to pay when we went to Yankee Jims but you should come prepared just in case you need it. You don’t want to get a ticket!

The Climb Down the Mountain is Steep

Once you’ve parked and you’re ready to hit the water, the trail to ascend down the mountain is right next to the brown porta potty. While it’s not the most steep trail I’ve ever done, it’s definitely not a leisurely stroll down. You will most likely be carrying your picnic bags and towels which makes it a bit more challenging. Take your time to go down because it’s easy to slip and injure yourself.

Avoid the Weekends and Holidays

Your best bet for a hassle free visit to Yankee Jims is to go on a weekday. On the weekends and holidays the roads are jam packed with visitors and you’re much less likely to get a parking spot. Also, go as early as you can in the morning for extra insurance that you’ll actually be able to swim.

The Sun Exposure is No Joke

At Yankee Jims there’s very few places along the river shores where you’ll find shade from the sun. As I mentioned earlier, the summer heat is no joke in this area of California and you could be roasting in 100 degree weather. Make sure you come prepared with hats, sunscreen and coverups. You could get an epically terrible sunburn out there.

FYI: The rocky shores around this area of the river are very narrow and you won’t have much space to set up a tent for shade.

Provisions are Limited in this Area

Make sure you have packed plenty of water and snacks before you start driving because there are very limited places to pick up supplies in the area. Dehydration and heat stroke are a very real possibility when you’re so exposed to the sun. Auburn is the closest city to Yankee Jims and there’s several grocery stores and eateries to pick up food. Also, make sure you have plenty of gas in your car!

And Finally… Have Fun!

I realize that this blog post is filled with a lot of Debbie Downers but if you are planning to make the trek to Yankee Jims you should know the reality of what’s to come. For our trip we went early around 10am on a weekday and we had the river to ourselves most of the time. Have fun + be safe and courteous to other visitors.

What to Do After a Day of Swimming at Yankee Jims

The Placer County area is filled with all kinds of fun things to do, my top recommendations are:

After our visit to Yankee Jims we headed into the town of Auburn for lunch and refreshments (see my guide to Auburn here!). Old Town Auburn is very cute and walkable!
Hit up Clarks Swimming Hole which is about a 30 minute drive from Yankee Jims. This is also a good Plan B incase Yankee Jims is closed.
There’s several wineries and breweries in Placer County where you can hangout, drink some beer and possibly eat some food.
Roseville, Folsom and Placerville are bigger metro areas surrounding Yankee Jims where you can find more food and shopping options.