Summer Hit List: Fun on the waterways
When the temperatures rise, the body wants water – inside and out.
Summer just isn’t the same without a trip or two or 12 to the region’s lakes and reservoirs. Whether it’s for sunbathing, water skiing, riding various water craft or swimming, the season’s all about making a splash – the bigger the better.
In the Central Valley, where we feel lucky when the temperatures don’t rise into the 100s, it seems like dry land is the only terra in town. But the fact is that there are plenty of places where earth gives way to water and wet recreation abounds.
Before we get into details about where to go, a word of caution: water activities come with inherent dangers and life vests should be worn by everyone at every age, whether on a boat or in the water. With five drownings already in two Stanislaus County reservoirs alone this summer season, officials urge common-sense precautions. All five of the drownings – which claimed people ranging in age from 10 to 40 on the Modesto and Woodward reservoirs – likely could have been prevented, according to Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Sgt. Anthony Bejaran, if the victims had been wearing life vests. Free life vest loan programs are available at some locales.
With those proper precautions, water sports and fun are just the ticket for cooling down during the hottest days of summer. Here’s a look at some of the locales in the Modesto and Mother Lode regions to get wet and (responsibly) wild. This is by no means an exhaustive list, with numerous lakes and rivers with camping, fishing, swimming and boating available throughout the Central Valley.
Lake New Melones – Located on the Stanislaus River, this waterway rests between the Gold Rush towns of Sonora and Angels Camp and offers an array of activities that range from the relaxing in nature to the adventurous.
The Glory Hole and Tuttletown recreation areas at New Melones Lake are perfect for boating, water skiing, jet skiing, fishing, wake boarding, sailing, swimming, kayaking and canoeing. Outside of the water, there’s nearby wildlife viewing, rock climbing, hiking, biking, horseback riding and picnicking.
More adventurous visitors can try whitewater rafting on the North Fork Stanislaus River, or flat-water kayaking or canoeing on one of the alpine lakes in the Stanislaus National Forest.
The New Melones Visitor Center offers year-round interpretive events and houses a museum highlighting natural and cultural resources. For details on use fees and more, see www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/newmelones.
Pinecrest Lake – Resting in the Stanislaus National Forest about a mile off Highway 108, Pinecrest is open for boating, swimming and fishing. A marina rents sailboats, party boats, paddle boats and kayaks.
A relatively large sandy beach at the south end allows for picnicking, wading and swimming, and there’s a hiking trail that runs around the entire lake. For more, see pinecrestlakeca.com.
After a full day of water activities, dry off and head to the outdoor movie theater at Pinecrest where they show movies under the stars beginning at 8:30 p.m. most nights. Featuring current-run family films, tickets are $7.50, free for children ages 3 and under. Running through July are “The BFG,” “Finding Dory,” “The Secret Life of Pets” and “The Jungle Book,” rotating each night. For more on the outdoor film area and films by date, see www.pinecresttheater.com.
Knights Ferry – Just east of Oakdale, Knights Ferry offers an array of activities, not the least of which is rafting on the Stanislaus River. The most popular run on the river goes from Knights Ferry to Orange Blossom Park outside of Oakdale. There are class I and II rapids along the 8.5 miles of water. Flows vary by season and guided trips include those calm enough for the entire family.
Along the route are lovely views, bluffs and opportunities for wildlife viewing. There also are several public access points where rafters can stop for picnics, barbecues, restrooms and sandbanks.
With safety first in mind, there are commercial river rafting companies in the region to help you plan your trip. stanislausriver.com/rafting.
Woodward Reservoir – One of the more popular bodies of water in the county, Woodward is on 26-Mile Road north of Oakdale. Recreation includes swimming, fishing, boating, water/jet skiing and waterfowl hunting (with permit). Facilities at Woodward also include more than 100 campsites, concessions, picnic shelters and a radio control airplane field. www.stancounty.com/parks/reservoir.shtm.
Modesto Reservoir – On Reservoir Road off Highway 132 just east of Waterford, the Modesto Reservoir provides water for the Modesto Irrigation District. But the park also offers plenty of summer activities including camping, swimming, boating, fishing, picnic areas and an archery range. www.stancounty.com/parks/reservoir.shtm.
Caswell Memorial State Park – This getaway near Ripon also is on the banks of the Stanislaus River. Caswell provides opportunities for fishing, camping, nature walks, bird watching, swimming and more. The oak forest is surrounded by several plant species, some of which are rarely found anywhere else in the area.
Boating also is available at Caswell. www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=557.
This story was originally published July 8, 2016 at 11:46 AM with the headline "Summer Hit List: Fun on the waterways."