Where to find it
The Eddy is about 3 miles north of Happy Camp, CA on Indian Creek Road in the Klamath National Forest.
To get there, start at the Bigfoot Statue in Happy Camp at the corner of Davis Road and Highway 96. Drive to the end of Davis Road. At the Dreamcatcher, turn right and drive up the hill. You’ll be on Indian Creek Road. Note the small metal mile marker signs. When you reach mile marker 3 there’s also a 30mph turn sign. Turn left into a large unpaved parking area. The swimming hole is just on the other side of a small hillock on the northeast side of the parking area.
What to expect
Wear good shoes because the walk from the parking area isn’t easy. You’ll be walking down steep and craggy bedrock. Once at the creek you’ll want to keep your shoes or sandals on. Sandals like Teva’s are good for being in the water, but good athletic shoes will help you get there. When I wore only my Tevas on the bedrock, I slipped once they were wet.
There’s shade on the far side of the creek – a good place for a picnic. Also many people prefer to rest in the shady areas at the top of the bedrock just below the parking area.
My son likes to tube down Indian Creek from this location to the Klamath River.
A fun experience. Lots of deep water next to the tall rocks plus a shallow swimming and wading area for young children.
Just downstream from the main swimming hole is an area where you can swim across the creek to a rock formation which you can then rest on or jump off of. Nice area!
There’s lots of wild rhubarb growing in this area.
There’s no sandy beach. It is all bedrock and smaller rocks.
You can take your dog if it is good around other people, and a good swimmer. The current can be a bit swift!
This is a very popular swimming hole, so expect to see a lot of other people on hot days. Generally local people go there to swim for about a half-hour to cool off. It makes the rest of the day in the hot Klamath River Valley bearable.
Most people just wear shorts and a shirt – you don’t see real swimsuits there very often!
Caution
Early in the season, during June and sometimes early July, the creek may be running high and swift, and may be unsafe for swimming. Most years this is not a problem.
At the parking area and the top of the bedrock there’s some poison oak to watch out for. If you accidentally touch it, hop in the creek to wash it all away. Generally, however, it is possible to avoid it.
Watch young children carefully.
Wear athletic shoes on the bedrock and good swimming sandals in the water.
When
I’ve been there many times. The video and photos are from 2007.
What to take with you
Good shoes, a towel, sun screen, and a folding chair if you’d like to relax in the shade on the other side of the creek. I take bottled water. If you plan to stay long, a picnic lunch might be nice.
Any gold there?
There used to be a lot of gold there – but miners dredged the area long ago. There still may be some small flakes in the area.
Is this for children?
There’s a good shallow area for young children, however parents are still encouraged to stay nearby and watch out for them. If they get too close to the flowing water they could be swept downstream.
About the name
The Eddy is a place where the water rests at a sharp turn in Indian Creek.
