Turlock Lake Sra Campground

Closed — Closed until further notice while California State Parks and Turlock Irrigation District work to find a new operator for the park.

About

Turlock Lake State Recreation Area Campground sits on the shaded south bank of the Tuolumne River, approximately one mile from Turlock Lake in the rolling foothills of eastern Stanislaus County. The campground features roughly 60 campsites spread over 66 acres, shaded by large valley oak and cottonwood trees that provide relief during warm summer months. The recreation area is bounded by the Tuolumne River to the north and Turlock Lake to the south, offering 26 miles of shoreline for fishing, swimming, boating, water skiing, and other water sports. The campground's location along the river provides a scenic setting with views of the surrounding savannas, nearby cattle ranches, and historic dredger tailing piles from a half century of gold mining operations. At an elevation of 250 feet, the area experiences typical San Joaquin Valley weather with warm summers and mild winters. Summer nighttime temperatures usually drop to the high sixties. The campground traditionally operated on a reservation basis from late March through mid-September, with walk-in sites available from mid-September through late March. Heavy use periods historically occurred from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with September and October offering ideal camping conditions with warm days, cool nights, and fewer crowds.

Directions

From Modesto take Highway 132 East 14 miles to Waterford. In Waterford, turn right on Hickman Road (county road J-9) and drive 1 mile to Lake Road. Turn left on Lake Road and drive 10 miles to Turlock Lake SRA.

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