Dark Canyon Spring

## Overview Dark Canyon Spring is a year-round natural spring located near Paradise, California, in Butte County. The spring flows from a pipe that has been inserted into a man-made trough, making it easy for visitors to collect water. Long valued as a "local knowledge" resource among area residents, this spring has been reported to produce clean, uncontaminated water and has historically served as a reliable drinking water source for the surrounding community. Situated in the foothills of the northern Sierra Nevada, the Paradise area is known for its volcanic and metamorphic geology, which naturally filters groundwater through layers of rock before it emerges at springs like this one. Dark Canyon itself is part of the rugged canyon terrain that characterizes much of eastern Butte County, where seasonal creeks and perennial springs dot the landscape. ## Directions 1. The spring is located near Paradise, CA, at GPS coordinates **39.684289, -121.488844**. 2. Use these coordinates in your preferred navigation app to reach the general area. 3. The spring flows from a pipe into a man-made trough, so look for this setup once you arrive in the vicinity of Dark Canyon. *Note: Specific turn-by-turn directions beyond GPS coordinates are not currently available. If you're a local or have visited before, consider sharing detailed route information to help future visitors.* ## What to Expect Visitors will find a straightforward, no-frills spring setup — water flows steadily from a pipe into a constructed trough, making collection simple. The spring runs year-round, so it can be visited in any season. The surrounding area features the characteristic oak woodlands and canyon terrain of the Butte County foothills. Keep in mind that the Paradise area was heavily impacted by the Camp Fire in November 2018. While the community has been rebuilding, the landscape around the spring may still show signs of fire recovery. Access roads and surrounding conditions may have changed since the fire, so it's worth checking current conditions before visiting. The water has been reported by locals to be pure and of good quality, and the spring has a reputation as a trusted water source among longtime area residents. As with any natural spring, water quality can vary over time due to environmental factors.