Caswell Memorial State Park Campground

18600 West Corral Hollow Road, Tracy, CA 95376

Nestled in the heart of California's rugged terrain, Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area Campground welcomes adventure seekers with 23 thoughtfully designed sites that serve as your basecamp for off-highway exploration. Each site comes equipped with its own picnic table, fire pit, and protective shade ramada, creating the perfect outdoor living space. Fresh water faucets are conveniently positioned to serve every three sites, while modern amenities including coin-operated showers and flush toilets ensure comfort after a day of dusty trails. Whether you're drawn to the challenging valley floor routes or the winding paths through surrounding hills, this compact campground puts you right at the gateway to thrilling OHV adventures.

17968 COVERED BRIDGE RD., OAKDALE, CA 95361

Escape to McHenry Avenue Campground, where the gentle murmur of the lower Stanislaus River sets the soundtrack for your wilderness retreat. Tucked within the serene Stanislaus River Parks system, this hidden gem beckons tent campers seeking tranquility away from the crowds. Here, adventure flows as freely as the river itself—spend your days rafting pristine waters, exploring scenic hiking trails, or simply savoring a riverside picnic while watching for local wildlife. The walk-in campsites preserve the campground's peaceful atmosphere, while modern conveniences like flush toilets and potable water ensure comfort without compromising the natural experience. Each site comes thoughtfully equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern holders, creating the perfect basecamp for your river valley adventures.

17968 COVERED BRIDGE RD, OAKDALE, CA, 95361

Nestled along the lower Stanislaus River in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, Valley Oak Recreation Area offers a peaceful riverside retreat for tent campers seeking a more primitive outdoor experience. This environmental campground is part of the "string of pearls"—a collection of charming parks scattered along the Stanislaus River that wind through small foothill towns. Here, you'll find your tent site positioned right at the river's edge, shaded by a pleasant canopy of towering Valley Oaks, Fremont cottonwoods, and the occasional elderberry bush that filters dappled sunlight onto your camp. The surrounding landscape blends riparian woodlands with open grassy areas dotted with seasonal wildflowers, while wildlife enthusiasts can spot mule deer, acorn woodpeckers, scrub jays, foxes, and squirrels throughout the park. This is true walk-in camping: you'll park your vehicle in a front lot and carry your gear approximately a quarter-mile to your riverside campsite, ensuring a quiet, car-free camping environment. Each primitive site comes equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern holder. The campground provides vault toilets and non-potable water (bring your own drinking water or plan to treat what's available), so come prepared for a more rustic experience. Valley Oak is one of only three reservable campgrounds in the Stanislaus River Parks system, making it easier to secure your spot through Recreation.gov rather than gambling on first-come availability. The recreation opportunities here center around the river itself. Walking and hiking trails wind through the park, while river access points provide excellent opportunities for fishing and boating. Summer months are ideal for rafting, with local outfitters offering both guided and self-guided float trips down the lower Stanislaus. If you're an experienced paddler seeking thrills, fall brings higher flows perfect for advanced whitewater in Goodwin Canyon. Autumn also delivers a spectacular natural phenomenon: thousands of Chinook salmon return to spawn, visible from several river access points along the park. Just fifteen minutes away, the historic gold rush town of Knights Ferry beckons with its visitor center museum and the longest covered bridge west of the Mississippi—a National Historic Landmark worth the short drive. Whether you're looking for a quiet riverside base camp for river adventures or a peaceful escape with easy access to foothill history, Valley Oak delivers an authentic, back-to-basics camping experience.

2713 Hogan Dam Road, Valley Springs, CA 95252

Perched along the shimmering waters of New Hogan Lake, Coyote Point beckons groups seeking adventure in the Sierra Nevada foothills. This expansive campsite serves as your basecamp for endless outdoor pursuits—from early morning fishing expeditions to sunset hikes through golden hills. Whether you're launching your boat at dawn or gathering around the campfire under star-filled skies, Coyote Point offers the perfect blend of lakeside tranquility and recreational excitement.

17968 COVERED BRIDGE RD., OAKDALE, CA 95361

Escape to McHenry Avenue Campground, where the gentle murmur of the lower Stanislaus River sets the soundtrack for your wilderness retreat. Tucked within the serene Stanislaus River Parks system, this hidden gem beckons tent campers seeking tranquility away from the crowds. Here, adventure flows as freely as the river itself—spend your days rafting pristine waters, exploring scenic hiking trails, or simply savoring a riverside picnic while watching for local wildlife. The walk-in campsites preserve the campground's peaceful atmosphere, while modern conveniences like flush toilets and potable water ensure comfort without compromising the natural experience. Each site comes thoughtfully equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern holders, creating the perfect basecamp for your river valley adventures.

17968 COVERED BRIDGE RD, OAKDALE, CA, 95361

Nestled along the lower Stanislaus River in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, Valley Oak Recreation Area offers a peaceful riverside retreat for tent campers seeking a more primitive outdoor experience. This environmental campground is part of the "string of pearls"—a collection of charming parks scattered along the Stanislaus River that wind through small foothill towns. Here, you'll find your tent site positioned right at the river's edge, shaded by a pleasant canopy of towering Valley Oaks, Fremont cottonwoods, and the occasional elderberry bush that filters dappled sunlight onto your camp. The surrounding landscape blends riparian woodlands with open grassy areas dotted with seasonal wildflowers, while wildlife enthusiasts can spot mule deer, acorn woodpeckers, scrub jays, foxes, and squirrels throughout the park. This is true walk-in camping: you'll park your vehicle in a front lot and carry your gear approximately a quarter-mile to your riverside campsite, ensuring a quiet, car-free camping environment. Each primitive site comes equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern holder. The campground provides vault toilets and non-potable water (bring your own drinking water or plan to treat what's available), so come prepared for a more rustic experience. Valley Oak is one of only three reservable campgrounds in the Stanislaus River Parks system, making it easier to secure your spot through Recreation.gov rather than gambling on first-come availability. The recreation opportunities here center around the river itself. Walking and hiking trails wind through the park, while river access points provide excellent opportunities for fishing and boating. Summer months are ideal for rafting, with local outfitters offering both guided and self-guided float trips down the lower Stanislaus. If you're an experienced paddler seeking thrills, fall brings higher flows perfect for advanced whitewater in Goodwin Canyon. Autumn also delivers a spectacular natural phenomenon: thousands of Chinook salmon return to spawn, visible from several river access points along the park. Just fifteen minutes away, the historic gold rush town of Knights Ferry beckons with its visitor center museum and the longest covered bridge west of the Mississippi—a National Historic Landmark worth the short drive. Whether you're looking for a quiet riverside base camp for river adventures or a peaceful escape with easy access to foothill history, Valley Oak delivers an authentic, back-to-basics camping experience.