California / Stanislaus County

Horseshoe Road Recreation Area

Closed — Closed for the season. High river flows may flood campsites during certain times of year.

About

Horseshoe Road Campground is part of the Stanislaus River Parks system scattered along the lower Stanislaus River within the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. The environmental campground boasts quiet, peaceful tent sites situated next to the river's edge, accessible via a half-mile to three-quarter-mile walk from the parking area. Campers must bring wagons or carts to transport gear to their sites. The campground scenery is a pleasant mix of Fremont cottonwoods, Valley oaks, and occasional Elderberry bushes, offering excellent shade with dispersed rays of sunshine. Wildlife is plentiful with mule deer, acorn woodpeckers, scrub jays, foxes, and squirrels. The park offers walking and hiking trails, picnic areas, and river access points for fishing and boating. During summer months, the river is popular for rafting, while fall brings advanced whitewater opportunities in Goodwin Canyon and thousands of Chinook salmon returning to spawn. Nearby Knights Ferry, just a 10-minute drive, offers a rich gold rush history and the longest covered bridge west of the Mississippi River. The campground operates with 14 individual tent sites and one group site, all reservable through Recreation.gov. Primitive amenities include vault toilets and non-potable water near the campsites. A fire ban is in effect from May through October, with only propane gas fires in fireproof containers permitted during that period.

Directions

From Oakdale, California, take CA-108/CA-120 East. In 3.7 miles, turn left on Orange Blossom Road and continue for approximately 4.4 miles, then turn right into Horseshoe Road Recreation Area. Proceed past the park entrance and paved parking lot until you reach the gravel parking lot with the vault toilet. From Sonora, California, take CA-108 West. In approximately 16 miles turn right on Kennedy Road/Sonora Road. In 0.4 miles, turn right onto Sonora Road. Continue through Knights Ferry for 2.1 miles, then continue straight onto Orange Blossom Road for 2.4 miles. Turn left into Horseshoe Road Recreation Area.

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