Stanislaus County considers agreement to reopen Turlock Lake recreation in 2027
Stanislaus County could enter an agreement with Turlock Irrigation District and the state to restore recreation at Turlock Lake.
The park may reopen as soon as summer 2027, said Tera Chumley, director of county parks and recreation.
The Turlock Lake State Recreation Area has been closed since 2020 when a business operating the concessions departed. County supervisors are slated Tuesday to consider a joint powers agreement with TID and the state to reopen the recreation area on Lake Road.
The TID board is set to consider the agreement at its meeting Tuesday.
The state and the reservoir’s owner, TID, have talked with the county since 2020 about operating recreation activities at Turlock Lake. When it was fully open, the reservoir with 26 miles of shoreline typically was used most between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day.
Chumley said by email Friday that the county is planning to offer family-friendly recreation with a waterpark, picnicking, swimming, fishing and other day-use recreation.
The activities will include nonmotorized boating such as kayaking and canoeing, and a county staff report says motorized boats will be limited to small-engine boats going 5 to 10 mph.
Chumley noted that Modesto Reservoir has regular boating and camping. Alcohol won’t be permitted at the Turlock State Recreation Area.
The county’s plan for restoring recreation at Turlock Lake has included a floating aqua park with inflatable attractions that include a playground, obstacle courses, slides and more.
The proposed agreement recognizes the need for $7.5 million in facility improvements for day use and recreation areas, restrooms, parking, the boat launch, pump house and other facilities.
The state will provide funding for the park improvements. The county will be responsible for receiving the funding and carrying out the improvements. Under the agreement, the county will manage recreation at Turlock Lake.
The agreement also says the state will provide funding in the future to make the facilities more accessible to the disabled.
The county plan calls for seasonal day-use recreation from May 1 through Sept. 30. Waterfowl hunting and special events will occur from Oct. 1 to April 30.
In 2012, State Parks assigned operational responsibilities at Turlock Lake to American Land and Leisure. However, in October 2020, the private concessionaire company terminated its agreement with the state, causing the park to close indefinitely. American Land and Leisure’s action came four months after Turlock Lake was limited to day use because of COVID-19.
If the agreements are approved by parties, the county expects to receive almost $8.2 million of state funding for the Turlock Lake park. Of that amount, $7.5 million will be for facility improvements, $556,000 will be for startup costs the first two years and $143,000 will fund a security surveillance trailer.
A staffing plan includes a park supervisor, three park maintenance workers and seasonal help. The first-year budget is estimated at almost $900,000, covered by $385,000 in park revenue, $425,000 in state funding and $90,000 from community development funds.
In the second year, about $275,000 in state funds will be necessary to cover a shortfall in park revenue. Operations should be self-supporting by the third year.
The Stanislaus Board of Supervisors will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the basement chambers of Tenth Street Place, at 1010 Tenth St., Modesto.
This story was originally published February 27, 2026 at 4:54 PM.
