Clementine Trail to Clark's Pool is a 4.5 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Auburn, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Horses are also able to use this trail.
kid friendly
fishing
hiking
horseback riding
mountain biking
nature trips
paddle sports
trail running
bird watching
lake
partially paved
river
views
waterfall
wildlife
washed out
no dogs
Note: There is a $10 parking fee at the lot. Lake Clementine Trail leads to the spot where the North Fork Dam meets the rocks for an outstanding view of cascading water. Trail passes under the tallest bridge in California, Foresthill Bridge. The waterfall is absolutely amazing. There are rarely any people at the base of the falls but there is an abundance of poison oak so you need to be careful. Another good feature about this hike is about a quarter of a mile into the hike you pass by Clark's Pool - a fairly popular swimming hole. Despite being in the middle of the river, it is actually quite warm and very refreshing - especially since the first half of the hike is totally unshaded and gets rather hot. Dogs are not allowed at Lake Clementine.
If you live in Sacramento this hike is a must and pretty easy!
I took my 7 year old grandson on his first hike, he did great. The hike itself isn’t too difficult, most of the trail is shaded. It got hot on the way back, but other than that it’s a great little hike.
Beautiful views of water and Auburn damn. Bicyclist at the top said he saw a mountain lion so beware, we were in a large group so didn’t see it. Went early to beat the heat, parking and crowds, great little starter hike.
This trail is an easy hike. I’ve done it twice now. The trailhead is easy to find. There is a parking fee of $10. This is basically the entire area around the confluence, so don’t risk the ticket. The trail is pretty wide the entire way with a few narrow parts within the first mile and the last 1/4 mile. It’s heavily trafficked with hikers and some mountain bikers. Bring water! This hike is half shaded but the first mile and the last mile are predominately sunny. Finding the dam lookout is a little tricky. The last 1/2 mile is paved road with some car traffic. At the bottom of the hill there is a slight left turn to go off the road and onto a narrow trail to get to the dam lookout.
Great trail. Sunny with scattered patches of shade. Nice view of the damn. A little crowded but it was a weekend.
Trail is shaded half ways, nice view of dam, easy access to river
A refreshing nature walk by the American river towards the Auburn Dam. Bonus opportunity to see the Foresthill Bridge, highest bridge in California, 4th highest in USA and 50th highest bridge in the world!
beautiful view!
Uphill climb the whole way up rocky and narrow in spots. Very nice hike watch out for the mountain bikers.
Parking along street with $10 fee. Restrooms at trailhead and apparently near the dam (although I didn’t see these). Trail was nicely maintained and marked. It was a moderate uphill for most of the hike to the dam so the return was pretty easy. Beautiful scenery of the American River and bridge and dam.
Amazing .
Awesome Trail
Some bottlenecks, at times, road instead of trail. Good amount of shade. Rangers available.
Great trail for the family, beautiful views of the Forest Hill Bridge and river. We brought our kids, 8 and 17, and our dog. Recommend going before it gets hot, we got there about 1pm and it was hot with a nice breeze. The trail had a good amount of traffic, but was still great!
Not too hard but not too easy either. Lots of shade and LOTS of people as well. We went down to touch the water on our way back, it was pretty cold and the current was very strong. The trail is a little too narrow for two way people traffic PLUS bike riders. Beautiful views of the river and lots of pretty flowers. Overall it was a nice hike, definitely will do it again...!
One of our favorites! The waterfall from the dam is so rewarding to look at and take a rest
Idy Lui recorded Recording - May 04, 06:48 PM
Easy trial along a nice river. The fall at lake is strong. very good for picture. The trail at the end to walk down to the fall is steep and slippy. A lot of mosquito, I got five mosquito bites.
Wide Trail nice slow elevation gain easy for the family. Following the sound of water the whole way really lovely trail! There are bathrooms at the trail head and at the dam but there is a $10 parking fee
Challenging but fun
Great trail, partially paved and gravel. Very easy trail with up close views to Dam. Lots of shade on trail.
Beautiful hike to a beautiful spot. I was unsure at first of the fact that this is called a “waterfall” but it’s the backside of a dam. Boy was I wrong. Excellent views of forest hill bridge when you first start and amazing sights and sounds at the falls. Ran across a baby rattlesnake on the trail about a mile in so be careful.
Louise T recorded Recording - Apr 22, 02:02 PM
Fantastic hike, awesome flowers, perfect shade! The sound of the water blasting out of the dam gates was wild. Rainbows! Never found bathrooms at the end of the trail...
Very beautiful waterfall at the end
Perfect time of year for this trail is April and May. Great trail for families with kids-hiked this with my 3 yo and 8 yo boys. Almost turned back once the incline increased and stayed uphill for a ways but we all persevered and it was WORTH IT!
nice trail along the river, went in spring so water flow was great and sound is so soothing, partial shade. also took another one forth of walk to see the Dam close by. little incline but worth. $10 parking close to trail.
Yes, agree with the previous comment. Great hike! At the end, was a beautiful view, kid friendly for the most part. Definitely recommend!
Great hike. Able to do it with a group of 16, of which 8 were kids. Little “incline” but nothing that was too bad. But kids did get a little burnt. Went on a Sunday, moderately trafficked and also bikers on the trail as well. But we all enjoyed the views and hike with the family. Go early or way later as it gets full with parking. Fee is $10.
Love love love!
