01
Closest to Burnt Ranch
Burnt Ranch Campground River Bar
Along Trinity River In Burnt Ranch • Low-Key Forested River Bar • Closest Cold-Water Escape
A short hop from town, this wide river bar gives Burnt Ranch locals an easy way to cool off without committing to a long drive.
Down at the Burnt Ranch Campground you’ll find a broad cobble-and-sand bar where you can walk right into the Trinity River. It feels tucked away under pines and oaks, with enough space to spread out a chair and watch rafts drift by between swims. The current can move, especially in early summer, so most people stick to the shallower edges and eddies near shore.
02
Easy roadside access
Hawkins Bar River Access
Hawkins Bar Stretch Of Trinity River • Lively Roadside River Beach • Best For Quick Pull-Offs
Just west of Burnt Ranch, this convenient pull-out leads to a sunny gravel bar that’s popular with day trippers and rafters.
Hawkins Bar is one of those spots where you can see the water from Highway 299 and be in it five minutes later. The river spreads out over a broad bar here, creating shallower pockets for wading alongside deeper channels for strong swimmers. Expect a casual, social vibe on hot afternoons, with coolers, dogs, and a steady backdrop of boats threading the nearby rapids.
03
Best family option
Kimtu Beach
South Side Of Willow Creek • Family-Friendly Swim Beach • Best For Kids And Picnics
A classic Trinity River swim area near Willow Creek, Kimtu Beach mixes soft sand, calmer water, and easy access for families.
About a half-hour drive west, Kimtu Beach feels like the local swimming hole everyone recommends first. The river bends gently here, so you get slower-moving water along the inside bank and plenty of shallower spots where kids can splash under a watchful eye. Picnic tables, shade along the treeline, and close parking make it an easy place to settle in for a long afternoon.
04
Laid-back river day
Big Rock River Access
Highway 299 East Of Willow Creek • Classic Sun-And-Swim Gravel Bar • Best For All-Day Lounging
Named for the huge boulder that anchors the shoreline, Big Rock offers deep swimming holes and wide bars ideal for spending the day.
Big Rock has a bit of everything: shady nooks under the trees, sunny stretches of gravel for laying out a towel, and deeper pools carved around the namesake rock. Locals like to float short stretches of river here or just spend hours sliding in and out of the cold water between snacks. Arrive on the earlier side on peak summer weekends when parking along the highway fills quickly.
05
Best ocean day trip
Moonstone Beach County Park
Trinidad Coast • Scenic Sandy Surf Beach • Best For Ocean Views And Surfing
When you want salt instead of river water, Moonstone delivers broad sand, rock outcrops, and consistent surf within a doable drive.
Plan on a longer but rewarding run out to the coast, where Moonstone Beach opens onto classic Humboldt scenery: sea stacks, surf breaks, and a creek winding across the sand. It’s a versatile spot where surfers, tidepool wanderers, and families all find their own corner. Fog can roll in and out all day, so pack layers along with your blanket and expect much cooler air than back in Burnt Ranch.