Turlock Lake State Recreation Area
Also known as Turlock Lake SRA
- Status
- Temporarily closed
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below6-ft leash
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- parks.ca.gov(559) 822-2332
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Alert Stanislaus County, Turlock Irrigation District, and California State Parks announced the approval of an agreement to operate Turlock Lake State Recreation Area. On Tuesday March 3, 2026 , the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors and Turlock Irrigation Board approved a Joint Powers… (more)
ate Recreation Area. On Tuesday March 3, 2026 , the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors and Turlock Irrigation Board approved a Joint Powers Agreement for Stanislaus County Parks and Recreation to operate Turlock Lake SRA day use area with plans to make improvements to reopen the park. Future recreation at Turlock Lake SRA will offer family-friendly recreation with a waterpark, picnicking, fishing, swimming, non-motorized boating such as kayaking and canoeing, small engine motorized boating, and seasonal waterfowl hunting. The park may reopen as soon as summer 2027. Read the full Stanislaus County Parks and Recreation Press Release .
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Turlock Lake State Recreation Area is a 3,470-acre recreation area in Stanislaus County, about 9 miles east of Waterford.
Things to do include surfing, boating, swimming, fishing, and wildlife watching. Water access includes a swimming beach and a boat ramp. For overnight stays there are campsites (RV sites, tent sites, and showers).
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Temporarily Closed | ||
Official wording
Temporarily Closed
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Los Angeles).
Fees and passes
Per vehicle at most parks (vehicles of 9 people or less, walk/bike-in free); per person at State Historic Parks and museums; amounts vary by park and are listed on each park page.
Statewide fee rule from California's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
California park passes
- California Explorer Annual Pass — $195. Vehicle day-use entry to 134 state parks incl. high-demand Southern California beaches Details
- Golden Poppy Annual Pass — $125. Vehicle day-use entry to 112 state parks Details
- Historian Passport — $50. Admission for up to four people at per-person-fee State Historic Parks Details
- Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Annual Pass — $50. Entry to State Vehicular Recreation Areas that collect day-use fees Details
- SNO-Park Pass — $40 season / $15 day. 18 SNO-PARK winter recreation areas Details
From the California state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveCalifornia
- Phone
- (800) 444-7275
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
See the park’s wording · leash up to 6 feet
Are dogs allowed? Yes: Dogs must always be on a 6-foot leash in both the campground and Day Use areas.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
Open all year and featuring camping, picnicking, fishing, swimming, boating, water skiing, and clean country air, the area offers visitors an opportunity to see the wonderful variety of native plant life that once flourished alongside the rivers of the San Joaquin Valley.
Bounded on the north by the Tuolumne River and on the south by Turlock Lake, the recreation area provides an ideal setting for water-oriented outdoor activities. The recreation area owned by Turlock Irrigation District features a lake with 26 miles shoreline and rolling foothills. Picnicking, day-use, and boat launch ramps are offered at the lake. Overnight visitors are welcome at the 60 site campground located on the shady south bank of the Tuolumne River about 1 mile from the lake.
Read more from the park
From several lookout point, visitors can view the surrounding savannas and some of the cattle ranches and orchards nearby. And from Lake Road which separates the campground from the day use area, an excellent perspective is shown of the campground, the river and sloughs, and miles of dredger tailing piles-the by product of a half century of gold mining.
Heaviest use period is Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. After Labor Day and through October are perhaps the most ideal times to camp with warm and golden days, cool and comfortable nights, and uncrowded campgrounds.
Overnight facilities: Tent Camping, Hike-and-Bike Campsites, RV Access
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BoatingPicnickingFishingSwimmingWildlife viewing and birdingSurfingCamping
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Drinking water
- Picnic areas
- Nature center or museum
- Parking
Water
- Swimming beach
- Boat ramp
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Overview
Turlock Lake State Recreation Area offers visitors an opportunity to see the wonderful variety of native plant life that once flourished alongside the rivers of the San Joaquin Valley. The park is at 22600 Lake Road, La Grange, CA. Phone 209-874-2056.
Picnic Area
There are two designated accessible picnic tables located at the picnic area next to the swim beach. Assistance may be required getting to water faucets or grills. A walkway from parking to the tables is generally accessible. Restroom. The restroom near the beach is usable. Parking. Designated accessible parking spaces are near the picnic area and swim beach.
Other Information
Depending upon water levels, the boat dock is usable for persons who can self-transfer to boats.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 22600 Lake Road
LaGrange, CA 95329 - Nearest town
- Waterford — about 9 mi east (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 37.6265, -120.5955
- Phone
- (559) 822-2332
Entrances
- Directions point
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
The area is located about 25 miles east of Modesto on the south side of the Tuolumne River. From Modesto take Highway 132 East 14 miles to Waterford. In Waterford, turn right on Hickman Road (county road J-9) and drive 1 mile to Lake Road. Turn left on Lake Road and drive 10 miles to Turlock Lake SRA. Address: 22600 Lake Road, La Grange CA 95329
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- California State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- California State Parks Listing page (one link per unit, page_id = officialId), unioned with the CSP Enterprise GIS 'ParkEntryPoints' ArcGIS layer (coords, address, county, unit number, management status) and the 'CSPParkUnit_CurrentStatus' layer (open/partial/full closure)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology