There may be some code against sharing the location of a great swimming hole, as there is with secret fishing holes. But Alligator Hole isn’t secret. It’s right in Upper Bidwell Park on the way to Bear Hole. It’s shallow (waist-level for adults at the deepest, I’d say). In fact, it’s so shallow you can let the kids play in the water near the shore without being a hovermom (or hoverdad). We took Alec yesterday for a preschool playdate, and the kids had a ball playing in the water, watching the little fish swim about and even a huge tadpole that was about to turn into a frog. It’s rocky and a little slimy in spots, but there’s a good-sized beach with both shade and sun. Alligator Hole is named for the rock in the (use your imagination, kids) shape of an alligator.