Cartecay River Natural Spring

This unnamed spring bubbles up from a crack in the granite riverbank about 200 yards upstream from the Forest Service river access. Water runs ice-cold year-round, clear as glass, flowing at maybe 2-3 gallons per minute into the Cartecay. Local paddlers have been filling bottles here for decades. No development, just a natural flow you can cup in your hands or stick a bottle under.

Park at the FS river access off Cartecay River Road and walk upstream on the obvious fisherman’s trail. Spring is on the left bank where the trail bends around a big boulder. Flow stays consistent except in extreme drought years. Bring your own containers — this is raw mountain water, treat if you’re cautious.

Cold granite spring on the Cartecay River