01
Best overall lake beach
Dunn Court Beach at Pine Mountain Lake
Pine Mountain Lake Community In Groveland • Gated Community Lake Beach • Relaxed All-Day Hangout With Easy Access
Calm water, clean sand, and swim docks make Dunn Court Beach the most classic lake day right in Groveland’s backyard.
Set inside the Pine Mountain Lake community, Dunn Court Beach is the go-to spot if you’re staying in a local rental with lake access. A sandy shoreline, swim docks, and nearby picnic lawns make it easy to spend a full day here without ever getting in the car. Arrive early on summer weekends for closer parking and bring everything you need—there’s no lifeguard and amenities are basic.
02
Classic roadside swim hole
Rainbow Pool on the South Fork Tuolumne River
Along Highway 120 Toward Yosemite • Granite-Lined River Pool • Quick Cool-Down Stop On The Way To The Park
Rainbow Pool is a deep, clear river pool with small rocky beaches that feels wild but sits just off Highway 120.
About 20 minutes east of Groveland, Rainbow Pool offers cold, fast-moving water, a waterfall, and pockets of rock and gravel ‘beach’ to spread out on. It’s hugely popular on hot weekends, so a morning or late-afternoon visit avoids the heaviest crowds and parking crunch. Water levels and currents change with snowmelt, so watch footing, keep an eye on kids, and skip risky jumps if flows are high.
03
Best big-reservoir beach day
Fleming Meadows Swim Lagoon at Lake Don Pedro
Lake Don Pedro, Southwest Of Groveland • Family-Friendly Swim Lagoon • Full-Service Day-Use Area With Amenities
The swim lagoon at Fleming Meadows pairs sandy shoreline and roped-off water with nearby concessions and boat rentals on Lake Don Pedro.
Plan on a 40–50 minute drive from Groveland for a full-day outing with warm water and a more classic ‘beach’ feel. The lagoon is sheltered from boat traffic, with a gradual entry, sand for sandcastles, and nearby restrooms and picnic areas. Expect summer heat, minimal natural shade, and a day-use fee—bring umbrellas, extra water, and be ready for a busy scene on peak weekends.
04
Best for wide-open views
Glory Hole Recreation Area at New Melones Lake
New Melones Reservoir Near Sonora • Open Shoreline Reservoir Beach • Good Pick For Boaters Who Want A Swim Break
Glory Hole’s coves and gently sloping shoreline give you big-sky reservoir views and easy water access once you’ve made the drive from Groveland.
Roughly an hour from Groveland via Sonora, Glory Hole feels like a true big-lake escape with broad water views and multiple spots to wade in. Shorelines here are more gravelly than sandy, so think camp chairs and water shoes rather than beach towels alone. Water levels fluctuate year to year, so ask at the entrance station where swimming is best before you commit to a cove.
05
Best off-the-grid escape
Cherry Lake Shoreline Swim Area
Remote Forest Lake In Stanislaus National Forest • Quiet Forested Reservoir Cove • Adventure Pick For Scenic, Low-Key Swims
Cherry Lake offers cool, clear water and quiet coves where the ‘beach’ is more granite slabs and pine shade than groomed sand.
North of Highway 120 on a winding forest road, Cherry Lake feels far more remote than its actual distance from Groveland. Small day-use pullouts and informal shoreline spots let you slip into the water with mountain ridges as your backdrop. There are few services, patchy cell reception, and cooler breezes at this higher elevation, so treat it like a mini backcountry outing and pack accordingly.