New trails reach swimming, fishing spots at Dos Rios near Modesto. Events on tap
Visitors have five new trails at Dos Rios Ranch State Park, nearly a year after it opened southwest of Modesto.
The public can enjoy them starting at 7 a.m. Friday, June 6. They go farther out on the Tuolumne and San Joaquin rivers than the initial two trails. They also provide easy access for the first time to swimming and fishing spots.
Dos Rios is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. It continues to have free admission while the amenities are developed. The entrance is at 3559 Shiloh Road, about a mile south of Paradise Road.
Nearly 10,000 visitors have gone to Dos Rios in its first year, a news release from California State Parks said. That likely will grow as the place expands to daily operation and adds campsites and other attractions in the coming years.
Dos Rios was created on about 1,600 acres of one-time floodplain where the two rivers join. Restoration began in 2012, led by River Partners and aided by the Tuolumne River Trust. The nonprofits had more than $40 million from numerous public agencies.
Former farm fields gave way to native trees, brush and grasses. Fast-growing cottonwoods, willows and other plantings shelter and feed wildlife. The place was designed to absorb high river flows, protecting Grayson and other towns downstream.
Dos Rios opened on June 12 of last year, during the annual State Parks Week. The 2025 observance will feature three free gatherings, one of them outside normal hours:
Wednesday, June 11: Reservations are needed for a kayak trip, 6 to 8 p.m. on the small pond next to the entrance. The co-sponsoring Tuolumne River Trust has a limited number of kayaks to lend to people who do not have their own. Sign-up details are at www.castateparksweek.org. The pond is called Oxbow because it was created by farmers at an especially tight bend in the river.
Saturday, June 14: An event called Celebrating Latino Heritage and Culture at Dos Rios will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will feature live music, a car show and sales from a taco truck and traditional artisans. Visitors also can take part in Nature Lotería, a twist on a board game popular in Mexico.
Sunday, June 15: The Floodplain Fun Walk or Run will begin at 8 a.m. The park staff will set up three- and five-mile courses. The news release said the gathering aims “to raise awareness of the benefits of getting outside to support your mental health and general well-being.”
Dos Rios does not offer food service but does have picnic tables, restrooms and parking. The ultimate build-out will depend on funding and public input. Ideas include overnight camping, boat launching and even more trails. More information is at plandosrios.org.
More than $40 million went into restoring Dos Rios before it became a park. About $5 million has been allotted since then for that purpose.
The park’s first two paths debuted in November. The Pond Loop Trail encircles that body of water. Visitors can walk along an old levee road to reach the other, called the Confluence Trail. It includes plantings that Indigenous people have long used for food, basketry and other purposes.
Dos Rios now has 16 miles of trails with these additions:
- The San Joaquin River Loop Trail runs 2.2 miles along the banks. Users can swim at Oak Beach and view ancient oaks that survived the farming era.
- Two new paths totaling 3.7 miles are on the upper and lower Tuolumne River and connect to the Pond Loop Trail. They take visitors to fishing at Secret Beach and swimming at Willow Beach.
- The Quail Trail covers 3.6 miles through the heart of the restored floodplain, with views of the Diablo Range to the west. “And you just might spot a rabbit or two that are known to make their homes in this area,” the news release said. Dos Rios has both common and endangered bunny species.
- The Beaver Bend Trail is a 1.4-mile link between the Confluence Trail and the Lower Tuolumne River Loop Trail. “This lush, shaded trail features glimpses into the riparian habitat, where you can look for evidence of the beavers’ hard work overnight,” the staff said. The mammals are seen as helpful in restoring nature.
