Year Round Day Use:
Sunrise to Sunset
Year Round Camping:
If the kiosk is closed; please check with the Camp Host (site 32 or 66).
Turlock Lake State Recreation Area
American Land & Leisure operates Turlock Lake State Recreation Area. Please visit their website for additional information.
UPDATE (June 23, 2020) - As California State Parks begins working with locals on a phased and regionally-driven approach to increase access to state park units where compliance with state and local public health ordinances can be achieved, it is important for visitors to continue to practice physical distancing and avoid congregating with people outside their immediate household. Everyone has the responsibility to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Here are some guidelines for people visiting Turlock Lake State Recreation Area:
What is open now?
The following is open at this park:
What is currently closed at this park and throughout the State Park System?
At this park:
Are there any new visitor guidelines?
Yes, please see below:
Thank you for your patience and continued support of California State Parks as we work to limit your risk for exposure to COVID-19 in the outdoors. For more information, please visit parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.
Here are some guidelines for people visiting Turlock Lake State Recreation Area:
What is open now?
The following is open at this park:
- Day-use areas and parking.
- Boat Launch.
- Campground will open June 22. For more information about camping, visit www.parks.ca.gov/COVID19Camping. To make a reservation, visit www.ReserveCalifornia.com or call 800-444-7275. Reservations must be made 48 hours in advance of arrival date.
What is currently closed at this park and throughout the State Park System?
At this park:
- Special events and public gatherings canceled until further notice.
- Many campgrounds across the state remain closed until further notice. Some campgrounds have started to reopen with modifications. For more information, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/COVID19Camping.
- Many high public-use indoor facilities, including museums and visitor centers.
- Special events and tours continue to be canceled until further notice.
Are there any new visitor guidelines?
Yes, please see below:
- Stay Local: Stay close to home. Walk or bike into the park. Parking is very limited. Do not take road trips to parks and beaches or to neighboring states.
- Stay Active: Keep walking, jogging, hiking and biking. Watch for one-way trails.
- Stay Safer at 6 Feet: Maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or more. Gatherings, picnics and parties are not allowed. Visitors will be asked to leave if there are too many people at the park, beach or on trails to allow for the required physical distance.
- Stay Clean: Be prepared. Bring soap/sanitizer and pack out all trash.
- Stay Covered: The state now requires you to wear a face covering in most indoor settings and public outdoor spaces when you cannot maintain physical distancing of six feet or more from people outside of your immediate household. For details, please visit CDPH’s guidance here. Visitors should also abide by their local county health orders.
Thank you for your patience and continued support of California State Parks as we work to limit your risk for exposure to COVID-19 in the outdoors. For more information, please visit parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.
Due to low water levels the dock is unusable and boat launching will be at the discretion of the vessel’s owner.
Phone Number
(209) 874-2056
Park Hours
Dogs Allowed?
Yes
Dogs allowed only in campground.
Driving Directions to Turlock Lake SRA
The area is located about 25 miles east of Modesto on the south side of the Tuolumne River.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.
Address:
22600 Lake Road, La Grange CA 95329
Camping and Lodging
Visitors will be able to reserve campsites (late March thru mid-September) six months in advance from the current date. For example, on April 1st a visitor will be able to reserve a campsite beginning October 1st through a maximum of 14 days.
Reservations stop and all sites are walk-ins from mid-September thru late March.
Upcoming Park Events
No events scheduled at this moment.
BOATING
Boating
Boat Ramps
Boating
Boat Ramps
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES
Family Campsites
Hike or Bike Campsites
RV Access
Family Campsites
Hike or Bike Campsites
RV Access
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Picnic Areas
Fishing
Interpretive Exhibits
Beach Area
Swimming
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Windsurfing/Surfing
Picnic Areas
Fishing
Interpretive Exhibits
Beach Area
Swimming
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Windsurfing/Surfing
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Parking
Restrooms / Showers
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Wheelchair Accessible
Parking
Restrooms / Showers
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Wheelchair Accessible
Turlock Lake State Recreation Area is now being managed by American Land and Leisure. To make reservations select the “Online Reservations” button on this page or visit ReserveCalifornia’s website www.reservecalifornia.com.
If you would like more information about American Land and Leisure please visit their website at www.americanLL.com.
Nestled in the rolling foothills of eastern Stanislaus County, Turlock Lake State Recreation Area is an ideal place for day- or week-long outings.
Open all year and featuring camping, picnicking, fishing, swimming, boating, water skiing, and clean country air, the area offers visitors an opportunity to see the wonderful variety of native plant life that once flourished alongside the rivers of the San Joaquin Valley.
Location/Directions
About 25 miles east of Modesto on the south side of the Tuolumne River. 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.
Address
22600 Lake Road
La Grange CA 95329
Seasons/Climate/Recommended clothing
At elevation 250 feet, the recreation area boasts typical San Joaquin Valley weather, with warm summers and mild winters.
During the summer months nighttime temperatures usually drop to the high sixties and are comfortable for sleeping.
Facilities - Activities
Bounded on the north by the Tuolumne River and on the south by Turlock Lake, the recreation area provides an ideal setting for water-oriented outdoor activities. The recreation area features the lake with its 26 miles of shoreline and the foothill country leased from the Turlock Irrigation District in 1950. Picnicking, day-use, and boat launch ramps are offered at the lake. Overnight visitors are welcome at the 66 site campground located on the shady south bank of the Tuolumne River about 1 mile from the lake.
From several lookout point, visitors can view the surrounding savannas and some of the cattle ranches and orchards nearby. And from Lake Road which separates the campground from the day use area, an excellent perspective is shown of the campground, the river and sloughs, and miles of dredger tailing piles-the by product of a half century of gold mining.
Heaviest use period is Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. After Labor Day and through October are perhaps the most ideal times to camp with warm and golden days, cool and comfortable nights, and uncrowded campgrounds.
Additional Feature Information
CAMPING OVERNIGHT FACILITIES & ACTIVITIES
- RV Accessible (no hook ups)
- Restrooms & Showers (Not ADA)
- River Access
- Swimming (No Lifeguard)
- Fishing (Barbless, Catch & Release)
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
- Designated Swimming Area (No Lifeguard)
- Parking for vehicles & boat trailers
- Restrooms (Wheelchair Accessible)
BOATING (No Rentals)
- 2 Boat Ramps
- Boats/Jet Skis (2 & 4 cycle motors)
- Canoes
- Kayaks
- Paddleboard
- Windsurfing
VISITOR INFORMATION From Approximately September 25 thru February 15 each year the lake, south of Latitude N 37.37.019, is restricted to Duck Hunters only. We ask that you do not go past our buoy line, to do so is at your own risk.