Horseshoe Road Recreation Area

About

Horseshoe Road Recreation Area is part of the Stanislaus River Parks system, often called the "string of pearls" for the chain of quiet oases along the lower Stanislaus River. This environmental campground offers 14 individual tent sites and one group site, all walk-in only with a 3/4 mile hike from the gravel parking lot. The primitive setting delivers a true backcountry feel while remaining easily accessible from Oakdale and Sonora. The campground sits beneath Fremont cottonwoods and Valley oaks, providing excellent shade along the river's edge. Wildlife is abundant, with mule deer, foxes, acorn woodpeckers, and scrub jays regularly seen. Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern holder. Vault toilets and dumpsters are provided; campers should bring their own drinking water. The river access makes this a popular base camp for rafters, kayakers, and anglers. Within a 10-minute drive, visitors can explore Knights Ferry and its historic covered bridge, the longest west of the Mississippi. During fall, Chinook salmon return to spawn in the Stanislaus, viewable from multiple access points.

Directions

From Oakdale, take CA-108/CA-120 East for 3.7 miles, turn left on Orange Blossom Road and continue 4.4 miles, then turn right into Horseshoe Road Recreation Area. Proceed past the park entrance and paved parking lot to the gravel lot with the vault toilet. From Sonora, take CA-108 West for approximately 16 miles, turn right on Kennedy Road/Sonora Road, continue through Knights Ferry on Sonora Road for 2.1 miles, then continue straight onto Orange Blossom Road for 2.4 miles and turn left into the recreation area.