- Office: 12090 Shale Ridge Lane Auburn, CA 95602
Natural Design Swimming Holes
Natural Design Swimming Holes builds breathtaking, resort-style pools that look and feel like they were shaped by nature. Based in Auburn, California, we serve Northern California and the Greater Sacramento area with custom swimming holes inspired by mountain streams, waterfalls, and lakes—all in your own backyard.
Since 1978, our in-house artisans have set the standard in naturalistic pool design, using sculpted concrete, hand-crafted stone features, and water elements like cascading falls, beach entries, and built-in boulders for seating and lounging.
If your dream backyard feels like a place you’d travel to, we can build it for you.
Why fly? We build vacation destinations.
Natural Design Swimming Holes builds breathtaking, resort-style pools that look and feel like they were shaped by nature. Based in Auburn, California, we serve Northern California and the Greater Sacramento area with custom swimming holes inspired by mountain streams, waterfalls, and lakes—all in your own backyard.
Since 1978, our in-house artisans have set the standard in naturalistic pool design, using sculpted concrete, hand-crafted stone features, and water elements like cascading falls, beach entries, and built-in boulders for seating and lounging.
If your dream backyard feels like a place you’d travel to, we can build it for you.
Why fly? We build vacation destinations.
At Natural Design Swimming Holes, we create more than just pools. Our custom-built Swimming Holes are designed to look and feel like natural bodies of water—featuring sculpted rock formations, cascading waterfalls, shallow beach entries, and built-in seating. The result is a private, resort-style escape that blends beautifully into your landscape.
Each project is engineered with precision and inspired by nature. We use structural concrete and hand-sculpted rock to shape pools that resemble mountain streams, tropical lagoons, or desert springs. Whether you’re diving from a rock ledge or wading into calm waters, your Swimming Hole is built for relaxation, adventure, and lasting memories.
Ready to transform your backyard? Let’s design your custom Swimming Hole. Contact us today.
Waterfalls that flow into swimming pools can dramatically transform the look and feel of a space. At Natural Design, we specialize in creating sculpted faux rock waterfalls that often appear more organic than real stone. Unlike stacked rock, our sculpted concrete allows skilled artisans to replicate the irregular shapes and textures found in nature, resulting in a more seamless and natural appearance.
Our signature feature is the cantilever rock—a dramatic flat stone that extends boldly over the pool’s surface. Water cascades off its edge from heights of 4 to 5 feet, creating a dynamic visual centerpiece. But it’s not just for looks. The cantilever rock is also a functional design element, offering a ledge for diving or jumping, and often paired with a submerged bench beneath the fall. Swimmers can sit under the flowing water, enjoying the refreshing sensation of water pouring overhead—a unique and exhilarating experience for all ages.
Many people dream of adding a fishpond to their yard but hesitate, assuming it’s too complex or high maintenance. The truth is, it doesn’t have to be. While Koi ponds can be demanding with their high-cost fish and intricate filtration systems, there’s a simpler, more accessible option—goldfish ponds.
Goldfish ponds are a budget-friendly, low-maintenance alternative that still brings life and movement to your garden. Feeder goldfish are affordable, easy to care for, and resilient. They thrive in well-designed ponds and can be easily replaced if needed, making them perfect for first-time pond owners. With the right setup, a goldfish pond adds beauty, tranquility, and charm to any outdoor space.
Sculpted flagstone is an exceptionally attractive and practical choice for driveways, patios, and walkways. At Natural Design, sculpted flagstone has been our trusted, signature finish for all faux rock flatwork for over 50 years.
It’s also the preferred finish for our swimming pool decks, as it seamlessly blends into the natural landscape while remaining both stylish and highly functional.
An advantage to in-house construction is that we do not broker our work to sub-contractors, so we are in control of, and responsible for the construction schedule from beginning to end. Control of the schedule leads to a shortened completion time and better quality control.
Another advantage is that this method of sculpting structural concrete into faux rock for the Natural Design Swimming Hole was first developed by us in-house over 40 years ago. Several of our team have been here from the beginning so you can be assured that the best and most experienced team of workers are in your yard building your new swimming pool.
Natural Design Swimming Holes was proudly featured on the History Channel, showcasing our unique approach to crafting naturalistic pools and waterfalls. The segment highlighted our in-house techniques for sculpting structural concrete into realistic rock formations, as well as our commitment to blending artistry with engineering. Being recognized by a national network like the History Channel reflects the craftsmanship, innovation, and decades of experience that set Natural Design apart in the industry.
Experience resort-style living at home with a custom Swimming Hole designed to look and feel like a natural escape.
Natural Design is a custom swimming pool builder serving Northern California and the Greater Sacramento area.
We call our swimming pools “Swimming Holes” because of their natural rock look.
Natural Design Swimming Holes are residential pools, constructed with the same materials and use the same filtration equipment as traditional pools, they just look like Mother Nature was the designer.
We build only naturalistic rock swimming pools with waterfalls, shallow beaches, and other design elements that reflect nature.
Our team of designers and sculptors pride themselves in creating the most natural environment possible in a backyard setting. They have been creating faux rock swimming pools for an average of 25 years with our company. In fact, we have a second generation learning the process, with several father-son, father-daughter teams working together.
Rock, of course, is the oldest building material known to man. When this style is applied to swimming pools, the end result can be a tropical setting, a clear mountain pool, a desert oasis, or a resort look, depending on the complimentary landscape.
This is why we say “Why Fly?” We can transform your home into a vacation destination!
At Natural Design, we take pride in using the existing terrain to advantage when designing and building our swimming holes.
Working with hillsides or flat properties, very large or very small lots, Natural Design Swimming Holes are an asset to your landscape and your lifestyle.
This Natural Design Swimming Hole was built on a hillside with a sculpted stone waterslide.
This is a view of a Natural Design Swimming Hole under the water
Sculpted flagstone flatwork was Natural Design’s first venture into the faux rock technique, followed by sculpted stone walls, waterfalls and finally swimming pools.
Sculpted stone steps access a hillside pool and blend beautifully with the landscape in this Roseville, California home.
This large Natural Design Swimming Hole and waterfall in Granite Bay, California, has an exotic resort look.
This small yard in Rocklin, California has a smaller swimming pool with a large, sculpted stone waterfall.
Natural Design sculpted stone koi pond with a stone bridge in Roseville, California.
This flagstone driveway in the Bay Area softly blends with the landscape.
Sandy beach with a firepit and bench boulders near a pool in Folsom, California.
This hillside is retained by our sculpted stone waterfall and the raised bond beam of the swimming hole.
This Grass Valley, California swimming hole with a swim up wet bar has a tropical flair- “Why Fly? We Build Vacation Destinations”.
A shallow beach entry, spa and waterslide help this Sacramento, California pool become a great entertainment center for the entire family.
We’re excited to connect with you and help turn your backyard dreams into a reality. Whether you have questions about our services, want to discuss your project ideas, or simply want to reach out, we’re here to assist you every step of the way.