South County
Do you find the information in this page useful?
Description of the Area
Located at 24300 E River Road, Escalon, this site is one of nine parks, sometimes referred to as the “String of Pearls”, that are managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) along both banks of the Stanislaus River. After the opening of New Melones Dam, the ACE developed these parks, most of which lie in Stanislaus Co, during the late 1980s to provide recreational access to the Stanislaus River. Thus, they have also provided easy access to sites that have excellent avian habitat and birding opportunities. Although this park is relatively small, containing approximately 75 acres, there is still much to be seen. The Escalon Sewage Ponds are immediately adjacent to the east, but they are not open to visitors.
This site is classified as a mixed riparian forest. Cottonwood trees are the most dominant with willows and oaks also present. Together, these trees create a wonderful upper-story that provides shade for the lush undergrowth. The riparian vegetation consists mainly of wild grape, blackberry, grasses, poison oak, and weeds that provide a great habitat for the local wildlife.
Resident mammals include raccoon, squirrels, coyotes, and gray fox. The park contains several trails that meander through the trees, often alongside the Stanislaus River. Fishermen are frequently found here, while swimmers and rafters use the area heavily during the summer months to cool off and splash around in the shallows.
This site offers parking, picnic tables, BBQ grills, drinking water, restrooms, environmental camping (reservations required, see below), canoe put-in/ take out, fishing, hiking, handicapped facilities.
How to Get There
The park is located on the outskirts of Escalon. From Hwy 99, take Hwy 120 East, out of Manteca, into Escalon. Turn South (right) onto McHenry Ave, traveling about 2.5 miles to River Rd. Turn west (right) onto River Rd. After traveling just 0.8 mile, watch for the entrance on your left. The entrance is not well marked.
The park is closed during the months of November and December; hours of day-use operation are from sunrise to sunset.
There is a day-use and a camping fee, machine payable only (Debit / Visa / Mastercard) using the Automatic Permit Machines on site. For current conditions and camping permit (must be obtained 14 days in advance), call 209-881-3517.
Target Birds
Year-round: Pied-billed grebe, Great Egret, Wood Duck, Mallard, Red-shouldered and Red-tailed hawks, American Kestrel, American Coot, Killdeer, Eurasian Collared- and Mourning doves, Great Horned Owl, Anna’s Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Acorn, Nuttall’s, and Downy woodpeckers, Northern Flicker, Black Phoebe, California Scrub-Jay, Yellow-billed Magpie, American Crow, Wrentit, Oak Titmouse, Bushtit, Tree Swallow, Bewick’s, and House wrens, Western Bluebird, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Spotted and California towhees, Red-winged and Brewer’s blackbirds, Western Meadowlark, House Finch, Lesser and American goldfinches, California Quail, Brown-headed Cowbird, Turkey Vulture, Song Sparrow.
Summer: Black-chinned Hummingbird, Western Wood-Pewee, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock’s Oriole.
Winter: Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumped warblers, Fox, Lincoln’s, Golden-, and White-crowned sparrows.
Migrant: None
Rarities: No true rarities have been reported from this site, likely due to lack of coverage.
EBird Hotspot Information
EBird Hotspot – Click Here
Birding At the Site
This is a popular family destination and summers are very busy. Park rangers may limit access during peak hours to prevent overcrowding. This riparian park allows us a glimpse of what our valley rivers may have looked like before the impact of human progress. A walk through the park, especially during winter or early morning, yields soft bird song, croaking frogs, and chattering squirrels.
After entering the park, a road to the right leads to a day use area with restrooms, picnic tables and grills. A small sandy beach lies just at the end of the picnic area. Farther down river, a quiet back water may host Wood Duck, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, or Pied-billed Grebe. The densely wooded area near the restrooms is often a great place to find wrens, sparrows, towhees, and thrushes during fall and winter. Lincoln’s Sparrow, though uncommon, is usually present at this time. Northern Flicker, Nuttall’s, Acorn, and Downy woodpeckers are present year-round. Yellow-billed Magpie, a Central Valley specialty, may be seen throughout the park, although numbers have decreased since the West Nile Virus outbreak in the 1990s.
Following the main road to its end is another day use area and the entrance to the walk-in campground (advanced reservation required). Here you will find restrooms, picnic tables and grills as well. Strolling through the campsite area may yield the afore-mentioned woodpeckers and White-breasted Nuthatch. There are several trails in the area that wander around and through the groves and along the river. In summer, look for Ash-throated flycatcher, and Western Wood-Pewee. Black Phoebe is found throughout the park year-round.
Red-shouldered Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk are a common sight, and Swainson’s Hawk occur in spring and summer. Present, but less common, are Sharp-shinned (winter) and Cooper’s Hawk. Uncommon birds that have been sighted are Red-breasted Nuthatch, Lawrence’s Goldfinch, Western Tanager, Varied Thrush, and Purple Finch.
More Information
Timing: The park is closed during the months of November and December; hours of day-use operation are from sunrise to sunset.
Parking: Available. See the Map or Website
Facilities: Bathroom Available. See the Map or Website
Accessibility: See the Website
Dogs: Allowed
Bikes: See the Website.
WebSite: McHenry Recreation Area