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God's Bath
A deep green pool in a granite gorge on the Clavey River side of the Tuolumne country — beautiful, popular, and genuinely dangerous. Read the safety section before you go.
First things first
First things first
God's Bath is a swimming hole where a creek drops through polished granite into a deep, cold pool ringed by slabs, in the low country east of Sonora. It photographs beautifully, which is exactly why it draws crowds it was never suited to, and why it has a reputation locally for accidents rather than for scenery.
From Arnold it is around an hour and three quarters, the last part on rough dirt, followed by a steep walk down into the gorge. If you go, go early, go sober, and go with the safety notes below in mind.
Geography
Where God's Bath sits
God's Bath is a deep pool in a polished granite gorge, fed by a creek that drops in over slabs — striking, enclosed, and much more hazardous than it photographs.
Access is by unsigned dirt roads and a steep descent, with no water, shade or reliable phone signal at the pool.
It is about 60 miles from Chalet Bruin and Koda Loft via Sonora — roughly an hour and three quarters, the last part on dirt.
- Region
- Western Sierra Nevada, Clavey and Tuolumne river country
- County
- Tuolumne County
- Elevation
- About 2,600 ft
- Nearest town
- Sonora, west along Highway 108
- Getting there
- Rough forest roads east of Sonora, then a steep half-mile walk into the gorge
Getting there and the walk in
Access is by forest roads that are dusty, rutted and unsigned in places; a high-clearance vehicle is a real advantage and a low car is a bad idea. From the parking spot the trail drops steeply for half a mile or so over loose rock into the canyon — easy on the way down, hot and unpleasant on the way back up in the afternoon.
There is no shade at the pool for much of the day, no water, no toilets and no reliable phone signal. Carry more water than you plan to drink, and turn round rather than commit to the descent in high summer heat if anyone in the group is struggling.
Safety, plainly
This place has killed people. The pool is deep, cold and enclosed by smooth rock that is very hard to climb out of when you are tired; the current where the water enters and leaves is stronger than it looks; and submerged rock and depth both shift year to year with the gravel. Cliff jumping here has caused serious injuries and deaths.
Do not jump or dive. Do not swim alone, do not swim in spring runoff, and do not drink and swim — alcohol is a factor in most of the incidents. If someone is in trouble, do not swim in after them: rescue is hours away in a canyon with no signal, and would-be rescuers are among the people who have drowned here.
Season, and better alternatives
Late July through September is when the flow drops enough for the pool to be swimmable at all. In spring and early summer the water is fast, freezing and unforgiving. Autumn is quiet, cool and lovely if you only want to look.
If the goal is a swim rather than this particular pool, there are safer options closer to the cabins: the Stanislaus River at Camp Nine, the pools on the North Fork near Big Trees, or Pinecrest Lake's roped and shallow beach. All are easier to reach, easier to get out of, and less likely to be the worst day of your holiday.
Where to stay in the area
Both cabins are about an hour and three quarters away, with a kitchen and a hot tub for the walk back out — and with the safer swimming of the Stanislaus and Pinecrest much closer if the family vote goes that way.
Nearby
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Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is God's Bath safe to swim in?+
It has caused serious injuries and deaths. The pool is cold and deep with slick enclosing rock, unpredictable current and shifting submerged rock. Never jump or dive, never swim alone or after drinking, and avoid it entirely during spring runoff.
How hard is the hike in?+
About half a mile of steep, loose descent into the gorge, and a hot climb back out. There is no shade, water or reliable phone signal.
What kind of vehicle do you need?+
The access roads are rough dirt and high clearance is a real advantage. Low cars should not attempt it, and neither should anyone in wet conditions.
Where can we swim instead?+
The Stanislaus River near Camp Nine, the North Fork pools by Calaveras Big Trees, or the roped beach at Pinecrest Lake — all closer to the cabins and far safer.