Families can paddle, fish and bike along Tuolumne River at free Modesto RecFest
Modesto RecFest is back for a fifth year on the Tuolumne River stretch near downtown.
The free event will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 12, mainly between the Ninth Street and Highway 99 bridges.
The Tuolumne River Trust and numerous partners put on RecFest to showcase this undervisited area. It is part of a seven-mile regional park between Mitchell and Carpenter roads.
RecFest attendees can walk or bike the trails and try their hand at fishing and bird-watching. They can paddle small boats and learn about river safety and ecology. They can borrow bicycles, fishing gear, boats or life jackets at no cost.
The National Weather Service forecasts a high of 75 on Saturday, with no hint of the rain that postponed RecFest 2023. This past winter did provide enough moisture to green up the native grasses in early spring. Visitors should bring their own picnic lunches and drinking water.
The organizers still seek volunteers to help with parking, activities and other needs. Details are on the event website.
Other volunteers already have done one of their frequent trash cleanups in advance of RecFest. They are with Operation 9-2-99, which refers to the portion between the two bridges.
RecFest site has paths and floodplain
The RecFest site is known as Gateway Park and has paved and dirt paths and a small restored floodplain. Downstream stretches can be reached on foot or mountain bikes. The paths take visitors to the new boat ramp on Neece Drive and to soccer fields near the Carpenter end.
Think you might get lost? Take an orienteering lesson at RecFest. It also will feature the new course set up by the Modesto Area Disc Golfers. The Dust Devils, part of a youth mountain bike racing team, will be on hand, too.
Other sponsors include the city of Modesto, the Stanislaus Audubon Society, the Dry Creek Trail Riders, the Modesto Outdoor Recreation Alliance, the Modesto Nuts baseball team and the AMR ambulance service.
Other amenities could be part of Tuolumne River Regional Park under its master plan update..
This story was originally published April 8, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
