Devil's Bathtub
Yosemite Valley, California
| Address: | 1 Ahwahnee Drive, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389, USA |
| GPS: |
37°44'52.7"N 119°34'19.1"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | California |
Swim
Devil's Bathtub is one of those destinations that's a little more off the beaten path of Yosemite tourists. It's just above the Majestic Yosemite (AKA Ahwanhee Hotel). Earlier in the year, when there's a strong flow coming from the Royal Arches Cascade, the water heats up as it runs down the flat rock to a pool below. It doesn't get too hot but it's much warmer than most pools in the area. Because it's off the beaten path, it's been known to be a popular skinny dipping spot but if you go at a populated time, it's a great place for kids as well. It's a short walk from the Hotel but once you get to the rocks, it can be a little bit of a scramble to get to your pool. The waterfall doesn't get very powerful at this level so feel free to explore and play at the base of it. Or because of how close, accessible, and beautiful it is, you might just find it a perfect place for your picnic.
There are also rock climbing routes in this area which has been referred to as " The Holy Grail of big wall climbing on polished granite".
More Information
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Yosemite Valley, California
- Head northeast on Northside Dr toward Lower Yosemite Fall TrailToll road(0.8 mi)
- At the traffic circle, continue straight onto Village DrToll road(0.2 mi)
- Turn right onto Ahwahnee DriveToll road(0.6 mi)
Other Swimming Holes Nearby
Merced River
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
0.8 miles SWThe main fork of Merced River at Yosemite National Park is a perfect place to fish, swim, raft, and even pan for gold. The river circles around the center of Yosemite Valley, and almost every...
Camp, Swim, Whitewater
Mirror Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
1.2 miles EMirror Lake is a seasonal lake situated in a secluded corner of the beautiful Yosemite Valley. The lake sits at the base of Half Dome and allows a different perspective of the famous monolith....
Backpack, Hike, Swim 0.7 mi
Lukens Lake
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
7.5 miles NLukens Lake is a small lake in the White Wolf area of Yosemite National Park. The hike is a short, 1.6 mile walk through a forest to the secluded lake surrounded by trees and a small...
Hike, Swim 1.2-1.6 mi
May Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
8.1 miles NEMay lake is a relatively small lake that rests at the base of Mt. Hoffman in Yosemite National Park. One of the park's most scenic lakes, May lake not only gets up close and personal with...
Hike, Swim
Tenaya Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
8.3 miles NETenaya Lake is one of the most visited destinations in Yosemite National Park. The lake is easily accessed by Highway 120/Tioga Pass road which runs along the north shore of the lake. On the east...
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim 5.5 mi
Ostrander Lake
Wawona, California
8.6 miles SOstrander Lake is a long, 11.4 mile hike just behind Sentinel Dome. Unlike most of Yosemite's summer hikes, the trail to Ostrander Lake is open during the winter for people to ski through....
Hike, Swim 0.9-3.2 mi
Cathedral Lakes
Wawona, California
10.5 miles NEOne of the busiest trails in the Tuloumne Meadows area, the hike to Cathedral Lakes is a gorgeous 7 mile walk to the perfect place to rest and recuperate. While there are several High Sierra...
Hike, Swim
Elizabeth Lake
Wawona, California
12.9 miles NEElizabeth Lake is a gorgeous lake tucked underneath the High Sierras in Yosemite. It's about a 4.8 mile hike to reach it, with an elevation gain of 1000 feet. Even though it's not super long,...
Hike, Swim
Glen Aulin
Glen Aulin, California
13.9 miles NEThis trail is a popular route to take in the Yosemite High Country because it is a good introductory hike into the backcountry. At the end of the hike there are several waterfalls as well as a...
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Swim 0.8-4.1 mi
Dog Lake and Lembert Dome
Yosemite Valley, CA
16.1 miles NEThe hike to Dog Lake is often paired with the hike to Lembert Dome, because the two are so close in proximity. Each hike by itself is 2.8 miles round trip, but Lembert Dome has an elevation gain of...
Hike, Swim
Hite Cove Trail
El Portal, California
18.4 miles WThis hike is popular among wildflower enthusiasts. Located in Yosemite National Park, Hite Cove trail is one of the areas that blooms earliest for wildflowers. While areas in the high country...
Hike, Swim 4.0 mi
Mono Pass
Yosemite Valley, CA
19.6 miles NEAt an elevation of 10,600 feet, the hike through Mono Pass is an 8 mile journey that takes you across the High Sierras, through several meadows, and stops at a few different lakes along the...
Hike, Swim 1.8 mi
Gaylor Lakes
Yosemite Valley, CA
20.1 miles NEGaylor Lakes is one of Yosemite's most underrated hikes. It's a 2 mile trail with views the entire way. At various points along the trail, you can see Dana Meadows and the mountains...
Hike, Swim
Briceburg Recreation Area
Midpines, California
24.9 miles SWCamp, Kayak, and Swim near Midpines, California
Camp, Kayak, Swim
Gods Bath
Phoenix Lake-Cedar Ridge, CA, California
30.9 miles NWGod's Bath swimming hole in the Clavey River is a beautiful and popular location to take a dive in. However, the hike to get there is about one mile of rock climbing. The trailhead begins on...
Hike, Swim
Hot Creek
Mammoth Lakes, California
40.2 miles ECLOSED. Entering the water is now prohibited at this location. This note came in 2008:"I noticed your report of swimming in Hot Creek near Bishop, Calif. I was there in 2006 and it was closed to...
Swim
Salinas Area
Lakeshore, California
42.2 miles SESwim near Lakeshore, California
Swim
Standish Hickey Area
Lakeshore, California
42.2 miles SEStandish-Hickey is an inland river canyon that runs along Highway 101 just 180 miles from San Fransisco. It's home to a two-mile stretch of the south fork on Eel River, where many...
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Mono Hot Springs
Lakeshore, California
42.2 miles SEHot Springs and Swim near Lakeshore, California
Hot Springs, Swim
Smith River Area
Lakeshore, California
42.2 miles SESwim near Lakeshore, California
SwimNearby Campsites
Merced River
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
0.8 miles SWThe main fork of Merced River at Yosemite National Park is a perfect place to fish, swim, raft, and even pan for gold. The river circles around the center of Yosemite Valley, and almost every...
Camp, Swim, Whitewater 5.7 mi
Ten Lakes
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
11.0 miles NA 6.4 mile hike will lead you to three of the Ten Lakes at Ten Lakes Basin. There are three possible trails to take to see this phenomenon. The shortest begins at Yosemite Creek. The other two...
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Crane Flat
Big Oak Flat, Yosemite National Park
12.4 miles WCrane Flat Campground is a meadow and forest between Tuolumne and Merced Groves of Giant Sequoias. The campground is 30 minutes outside Yosemite Valley, has restrooms and picnic...
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Snowshoe 6.0 mi
Glen Aulin
Wawona, California
13.9 miles NEThis is an 11 mile hike along the Tuolumne River to Glen Aulin. There is a view to take in at every turn on this hike, whether it's the Tuolumne River, Tuolumne Fall, Soda Springs,...
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Glen Aulin
Glen Aulin, California
13.9 miles NEThis trail is a popular route to take in the Yosemite High Country because it is a good introductory hike into the backcountry. At the end of the hike there are several waterfalls as well as a...
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Swim
Tuolumne Meadows
Tuolumne County, California
15.2 miles NEA beautiful alpine meadow found in the upper Sierra Nevada Mountains. Open during the summer, this meadow offers excellent views of nearby granite domes and mountains. There is a roadway through...
Camp, Hike 4.0 mi
Saddlebag Lake
Lee Vining, California
22.3 miles NEA man-made lake found in the Inyo forest, resting at about 10,008 feet above sea level, Saddlebag Lake is located just outside the Tioga Pass entrance to Yosemite National Park. This lake has some of...
Camp, Canoe, Hike
Briceburg Recreation Area
Midpines, California
24.9 miles SWCamp, Kayak, and Swim near Midpines, California
Camp, Kayak, Swim
Crystal Lake
Mammoth Lakes, California
32.3 miles EUnlike many hikes in the Sierra's, Crystal lake can be done as a day hike and as the perfect way to get away for a bit. As hikers make their way to the lake, they will see the monolith Crystal...
Camp, Hike
Standish Hickey Area
Lakeshore, California
42.2 miles SEStandish-Hickey is an inland river canyon that runs along Highway 101 just 180 miles from San Fransisco. It's home to a two-mile stretch of the south fork on Eel River, where many...
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Wild Willy's Hot Spring
Mammoth Lakes, California
44.3 miles EWild Willy's Hot Springs, also known as Crowley Hot Springs, is a spring located in Long Valley. Long Valley is home to one of the highest concentrations of geothermal surface water in...
Camp, Hot Springs
Crowley Lake Campground
Crowley Lake, California
45.7 miles ENestled amidst the stunning Eastern Sierra region, Crowley Lake BLM Campground near Benton, California, is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by nature enthusiasts and camping aficionados. With...
Camp
