Tuolumne River Regional Park

Tuolumne River Regional Park is a 200-acre parkland along an 11-mile stretch of the Tuolumne River with developed recreation areas and extensive riparian forest habitat. The park offers picnic areas, hiking trails, playgrounds, and various day-use facilities for visitors.

Planning for the park began in the 1920s and led to the construction of Dennett Dam and Lake Modesto in 1933. These structures were destroyed by flooding in 1940, which shaped how the park developed afterward.

The park's name comes from the Tuolumne River, which runs through the region and provides habitat for various animal species. Visitors can see how the river shapes the natural environment throughout the park and notice the wildlife that depends on it.

The park offers multiple picnic areas with BBQ facilities, trails for walking, and playgrounds that are open from 8:00 a.m. until sunset for day visitors. Keep in mind that no electrical hookups are available anywhere in the park.

The park's management operates through a Joint Powers Authority involving three separate local governments: Stanislaus County, the city of Ceres, and the city of Modesto. This cooperation model demonstrates an unusual approach to how different communities jointly care for and operate the park.