Property Owners Close Hatchet Creek Falls to the Public
One of the most popular and recognizable swimming holes in Northern California has been closed by the property owners following a string of car break-ins and an apparent arson incident. Visitors to Hatchet Creek Falls can now be cited if found visiting the area that sits on private property.
Although the swimming hole has had issues with litter for years now, it was still a haven for NorCal locals to beat the heat on a hot summer day. After the recent incidents which have brought unwanted crime to the area, the private property owners pulled the plug on visitors.
The 25-foot waterfall, also known as Lion Slide Falls, sits between Redding and Burney and is one of the most unique outdoor destinations in the area. The swimming hole contains a giant fallen tree that lays right in the middle the Montgomery Creek waterfall, creating a makeshift stairway for swimmers to climb and jump into the water.
While the closure will certainly give the property owners a chance to clean up the area that has had issues with litter over the years, public pressure may force them to reopen the waterfall eventually. Much like the outcry over the accessibility of Mossbrae Falls in Dunsmuir, this may be an opportunity to improve the destination and make it a special place for everyone to enjoy safely.
For now, you’ll have to look for a new swimming hole to replace Hatchet Creek Falls.
