This Summer, our bucket list includes experiencing more natural wonders in California. One of our goals is to check out at least 1 natural water-slide.
The following 5 natural water-slides are of different difficulties and each must be thoroughly researched before attempting. Please know your limitations.
Alder Creek Water Slides
The water slides at Alder Creek are one of the best-hidden attractions in the Kern River Valley. This area is about an hour drive from Kernville, and a short 20-30 minute easy walk to the slides from the parking area across the street. The area is difficult to find the first time, so bring someone with you and study a map before leaving. When you get there, there are several slides you can enjoy. It's a great spot to spend a hot summer day. The water is near freezing, even in the summer, and the rocks are very slick, so please be careful!
To get to Alder Creek, travel North from Kernville on Mountain Highway 99/Sierra Way. About 1/2 mile past Johnsondale, turn right on Lloyd Meadow Rd, FR 22S82. Drive until you see a parking area on the right, and a closed-off dirt road on the left. This road is just before Peppermint Campground, so if you hit the campground you've gone too far. Park and walk up this dirt road about 3/4 of a mile. Look for a small trail that branches off downhill on the right side. Follow this trail to the water.
More info here
Dinkey Creek
Dinkey Creek is spread out along the banks of its namesake creek in a thick forest of Ponderosa pines and cedars. The facility's high country setting with trees, streams and open space, make it a scenic destination for all types of visitors.
Natural Features:
The Sierra National Forest, located on the western slope of the central Sierra Nevada, is known for its spectacular mountain scenery and abundant natural resources.
The terrain includes rolling, oak-covered foothills, heavily forested middle elevation slopes and the starkly beautiful alpine landscape of the High Sierra.
Recreation:
Dinkey Creek has 2 swimming areas: The Slicks and Honeymoon Pool, both of which contain pools carved out of granite. Anglers can fish Dinkey Creek for brown and rainbow trout.
Hikers can walk the Dinkey Creek Trail. Mountain bikers also have trail access in this area.
Facilities:
There is a group site that can accommodate up to 50 people. The rest are a mix of standard or tent-only single sites.
An on-site amphitheater offers educational programs on summer weekends. There is a picnic site located on large sandy flat above the creek at the north end of the campground.
All sites have paved spurs, picnic tables and fire grills; accessible sites are available. Drinking water and both vault and flush toilets are provided.
Nearby Attractions:
McKinley Grove is 6 miles away. Famous for its giant Redwoods, the area offers leisurely hikes and picnicking opportunities.
Trip Facts
Difficulty rating: Easy to moderate
When to go: April—October
More info: Click here
Directions: Click here
Natural Water Slide in Giant Sequoia National Monument
With waterfalls, hot springs, swimming holes, lush forests, and mind-blowing beaches—all within about 12 miles of one another— Big Sur deserves its reputation as an earthly paradise. Situated just south of theMonterey Peninsula, this is one of the most extraordinary sections of the California coast, as well as an ideal spot for inland hiking and camping. The area is divided by Highway 1 into the Big Sur State Park on the coastal side, where you'll find forest paths leading down to dazzling beaches, and the Ventana Wilderness on the inland side, offering miles of trails for hikers and backpackers alike.
If you're a hot-springs enthusiast, strike out eastbound on the Pine Ridge Trail and spend the night at Sykes Camp, on the east bank of the Big Sur river. In addition to the empyrean hot springs, there's an ideal swimming hole and plenty of shady camping spots. For the casual day hiker, the Pfeiffer Beach Trail is superlative, offering an easy walk through a cypress forest before depositing you on the beach. Or head the other direction toward Pfeiffer Falls, where Redwood Creek plummets off a 40-foot precipice into a mossy grotto.
Trip Facts
Difficulty rating: Easy to moderate
More information: Click here.
Natural Features:
The Sierra National Forest, located on the western slope of the central Sierra Nevada, is known for its spectacular mountain scenery and abundant natural resources.
The terrain includes rolling, oak-covered foothills, heavily forested middle elevation slopes and the starkly beautiful alpine landscape of the High Sierra.
Recreation:
Dinkey Creek has 2 swimming areas: The Slicks and Honeymoon Pool, both of which contain pools carved out of granite. Anglers can fish Dinkey Creek for brown and rainbow trout.
Hikers can walk the Dinkey Creek Trail. Mountain bikers also have trail access in this area.
Facilities:
There is a group site that can accommodate up to 50 people. The rest are a mix of standard or tent-only single sites.
An on-site amphitheater offers educational programs on summer weekends. There is a picnic site located on large sandy flat above the creek at the north end of the campground.
All sites have paved spurs, picnic tables and fire grills; accessible sites are available. Drinking water and both vault and flush toilets are provided.
Nearby Attractions:
McKinley Grove is 6 miles away. Famous for its giant Redwoods, the area offers leisurely hikes and picnicking opportunities.
Trip Facts
Difficulty rating: Easy to moderate
When to go: April—October
More info: Click here
Directions: Click here
Natural Water Slide in Giant Sequoia National Monument
With waterfalls, hot springs, swimming holes, lush forests, and mind-blowing beaches—all within about 12 miles of one another— Big Sur deserves its reputation as an earthly paradise. Situated just south of theMonterey Peninsula, this is one of the most extraordinary sections of the California coast, as well as an ideal spot for inland hiking and camping. The area is divided by Highway 1 into the Big Sur State Park on the coastal side, where you'll find forest paths leading down to dazzling beaches, and the Ventana Wilderness on the inland side, offering miles of trails for hikers and backpackers alike.
If you're a hot-springs enthusiast, strike out eastbound on the Pine Ridge Trail and spend the night at Sykes Camp, on the east bank of the Big Sur river. In addition to the empyrean hot springs, there's an ideal swimming hole and plenty of shady camping spots. For the casual day hiker, the Pfeiffer Beach Trail is superlative, offering an easy walk through a cypress forest before depositing you on the beach. Or head the other direction toward Pfeiffer Falls, where Redwood Creek plummets off a 40-foot precipice into a mossy grotto.
Trip Facts
Difficulty rating: Easy to moderate
When to go: April—October
Directions: Click here
Directions: Click here
More information: Click here.
SEVEN FALLS [SEVE]: (NOTE: Area closed beginning in 2009 due to fires - check before you go) Series of deep, narrow tubs in Mission Creek in the Los Padres N.F.. Small falls and chutes connecting them. Close to Santa Barbara, popular and with lots of people on a warm weekend day, but worth it. Water levels may be low late in the season.
To get here, in Santa Barbara take Los Olivos Rd. east to Foothills Rd. (RT 192). Go right a short way on Foothills then left on Mission Canyon Rd.. Follow Mission Canyon Rd. then bear left onto Tunnel Rd. and follow it to the locked gate. (Be sure to park legally here!) The total hike is about 1.5 miles: Walk on the paved road past the locked gate. In about 3/4 mile you come to the bridge across Mission Creek. Continue on the road, which is shortly no longer paved, past the turnoff to Tunnel Trail then turn left onto Jesusita Trail. Where this trail descends to the creek, turn right and hike ustream. For the next 1/4 mile the trail is in and out of the creek until you reach the narrows at the beginning of Seven Falls.
LAT, LON : lat=34.4732, lon=-119.70799
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Directions: Click here
This site has no camping near by and is actually situated on private land. The falls/waterslides are a 6 mile hike in on moderate trails that are lightly marked. If you are determined to check out this awesome area.
When to go: Weekdays(to avoid crowds) April thru October
Directions: Click here
University Falls
Outside of Georgetown, this hidden gem has 4 waterfalls and 3 water slides. It can get crowded on the weekends so if you go, week days are recommended. It is a popular spot with the college crowd and it can be extremely slippery (there have been deaths by waterfall 4).
Outside of Georgetown, this hidden gem has 4 waterfalls and 3 water slides. It can get crowded on the weekends so if you go, week days are recommended. It is a popular spot with the college crowd and it can be extremely slippery (there have been deaths by waterfall 4).
This site has no camping near by and is actually situated on private land. The falls/waterslides are a 6 mile hike in on moderate trails that are lightly marked. If you are determined to check out this awesome area.
When to go: Weekdays(to avoid crowds) April thru October
Directions: Click here
Wow! These all sound great! Thank you for sharing this information. I'm definitely going to look into these and maybe visit one this summer.
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