Facilities
Horseshoe Road Recreation Area Campground is one of three reservable campgrounds in Stanislaus River Parks’ system. Its primitive amenities include vault toilets and non-potable water near the campsites. Each campsite contains a picnic table, fire ring, and a lantern holder. Campers park their vehicles in the front lot and walk approximately one-half (1/2) mile to their campsites.
Natural Features
The campground scenery is a pleasant mix of Fremont cottonwoods, Valley oaks and the occasional Elderberry bush, offering excellent shade with dispersed rays of sunshine. Nearby, grasses, shrubs and seasonal wildflowers fill the open spaces.
Wildlife is also plentiful in the park with mule deer, acorn woodpeckers, scrub jays, foxes and squirrels among lots of other fauna.
Recreation
The campground offers an excellent base camp for exciting recreation opportunities. The park boasts walking and hiking trails, picnic areas and river access points for fishing and boating.
Activities
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Day Use Area
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Rafting
- Kayaking
- Water Access
Amenities
- Lantern Posts
- Parking Area
- Pets Allowed
- Picnic Tables
- River Access
- Shade
- Table & Benches
- Trailheads
- Vault Toilets
- BBQ
- Campfire Rings
- Accessible Vault Toilets
- Accessible Parking
- Picnic Table
- Waterfront Sites
Nearby Attractions
Within a short 10 min drive, campers can explore the historic town of Knights Ferry, rich with history of the gold rush era. Within the historic district, lies Knights Ferry Recreation Area, home to the longest covered bridge west of the Mississippi River and a National Historic Landmark dedicated in 2014. The park boasts walking and hiking trails, picnic areas and river access points. Visitors can learn about the area when they visit the Knights Ferry Visitors Center, which contains a small museum highlighting local, natural, and cultural resources.
Visitors have a unique opportunity to make reservations with local rafting companies to journey down the Stanislaus River. During the summer months, rafters can enjoy guided and self-guided floats down the lower Stanislaus River. For thrill seekers, the fall season brings perfect flows for advanced white water in the Goodwin Canyon.
Fall also brings thousands of Chinook salmon returning to the Stanislaus River to spawn, completing and beginning their lifecycles. Onlookers, can view the spawning salmon from several river access points along the river.
Need to Know
o Fire Ban in effect from 01MAY-01NOV. Propane gas fires, in fire-proof containers, only. No wood, charcoal, etc.
o Please wear a life jacket while recreating on, in, or around water. Free life jackets are available at several points around water access areas. Please return them after use.
o No vehicle access to campsite, no exceptions (must walk or boat gear in), parking area 0.75 mile, 25 minutes from actual campsite. Recommended to bring wagons.
o Recreation.gov confirmation must be presented to Park Host or Ranger Staff during check-in to receive parking passes (limit of 2 passes per individual site and 5 passes for group site)
o Parking is available on a first come, first served basis
o Earliest check-in time is 1:00 pm, latest check-out time is 12:00pm.
o Latest check-in time is one hour before closing time (APR - 6pm, MAY-SEP - 7pm).
o Quiet hours are 10 p.m. - 6 a.m.
o Campers can exit over spike strip after sunset for emergencies, but cannot re-enter until park gate opens at 6:00 a.m.
o High river flow may flood campsites - Campers are responsible for contacting the park office for flow reports prior to arrival date
o A maximum of 2 tents and 6 people for individual sites and 5 tents and 25 people for group site
o There are a number of unique animal / insect species(s) native to this area, so, for your own safety, please don't approach or disturb wildlife
o Collecting or gathering firewood isn't permitted at this location please bring your own certified firewood to prevent the spread of invasive species – Find vendors
o No gasoline powered equipment
o Refer to Code of Federal Regulations - Title 36 for rules and regulations of the park
Contact Information
For campground inquiries, please call: 209-881-3517
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