Caswell Memorial State Park
State Park · Lathrop, California
Caswell Memorial State Park lies along the Stanislaus River near Ripon in San Joaquin County, in the flat farmland of the northern Central Valley. It protects a remnant of valley oak riparian woodland, a habitat often described as once covering large parts of the valley along its rivers before farming and flood control cleared most of it. Tall oaks, willows, wild grape and thick understory make a cool, shady pocket that feels very different from the orchards and fields around it. There is a campground, a day-use picnic area, a hiking trail - confirm its name and length - and access to the river for wading or a swim in warm weather, with caution. This is a quiet, local-feeling park for birders, families and campers, not a destination for long hikes. Expect summer heat, mosquitoes, poison oak and winter tule fog. Allow a few hours for a walk and picnic, or stay overnight to see the park at dawn and dusk.
28000 S Austin Rd, Lathrop, California, 95330, United States
State Parks has generally kept day-use hours from morning until around sunset, with the entrance kiosk or self-pay station following those times, and the campground running on its own check-in calendar - confirm the current hours and the fee before you drive out. The park can close during high river flows, flooding after winter storms, or periods of extreme fire danger, and some areas may be closed for restoration or for wildlife protection in nesting season. Staffing has been limited at times, so do not count on a ranger or a store being on hand. Mobile signal is usually fine but can be patchy under the tree cover, so check the official State Parks page the morning you go.
Caswell Memorial State Park on Spottos · Explore more places on Spottos