Durham Ferry State Recreation Area
State Park · Manteca, California
Durham Ferry State Recreation Area sits on the San Joaquin River in the northern Central Valley, in the farm country between Manteca and Tracy. It is named for the old Durham ferry crossing, one of the river crossings that served the valley before bridges. Today it is a small riverside park, with a boat ramp, shade trees, picnic and camping ground and bank fishing for bass and catfish - confirm which of those the park offers now. It is not a scenic destination like a Sierra park. It is flat, hot and quiet, and its appeal is slow moving water, birds and a place to launch a small boat or sit under trees away from the highway. Summer afternoons regularly pass 100 F, mornings can bring tule fog in winter, and mosquitoes are part of the river. Expect a short visit of a few hours, a California State Parks day-use fee that you should confirm, and few services. Bring your own water, food and shade.
29000 S Airport Way, Manteca, California, 95337, United States
California State Parks units like this one commonly open around sunrise or early morning and close at sunset, with the gate or day-use rules posted at the entrance - confirm the current hours before you drive out, because small valley units sometimes change their schedule by season or staffing. Camping check-in and check-out follow the usual State Parks pattern of an afternoon arrival and a late-morning departure, and a fee station or self-pay envelope may operate when no ranger is on site. The boat ramp is normally usable only in daylight and may be closed or hard to use when river levels are low or after floods. Summer is hot enough that early morning is the best hour, and winter fog can hide the river until late morning. Holiday weekends in warm months are the only reliably busy times.
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