State Parks Near Modesto, California
15 state park units lie within 50 miles of Modesto. The closest is Caswell Memorial State Park, about 11 mi northwest of town. 5 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Caswell Memorial State Park11 mi northwest
- Within 25 miles
- 5of 15 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 9parks list campsites
- Dog-friendly
- 4pets allowed
State parks near Modesto, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Modesto; driving distance is usually longer.
Caswell Memorial State Park
Popular activities here are boating, swimming, fishing, wildlife watching, and picnicking. Water access includes a swimming beach. For overnight stays there are campsites (RV sites, tent sites, group camping, and showers).
Hours, fees and rules for Caswell Memorial State Park →George J. Hatfield State Recreation Area
Popular activities here are boating, fishing, geocaching, picnicking, and hiking. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites, tent sites, and group camping.
Hours, fees and rules for George J. Hatfield State Recreation Area →McConnell State Recreation Area
Visitors come for boating, swimming, fishing, geocaching, and picnicking. Water access includes a swimming beach. Camping is available: campsites, including RV sites, tent sites, group camping, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for McConnell State Recreation Area →Turlock Lake State Recreation Area
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, fees and rules for Turlock Lake State Recreation Area →Great Valley Grasslands State Park
Popular activities here are boating, fishing, and hiking. Water access includes a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Great Valley Grasslands State Park →Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area
Its trail network totals roughly 80 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area →Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area
Visitors come for surfing, boating, fishing, wildlife watching, and biking. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area →Lake Del Valle State Recreation Area
Popular activities here are surfing, horseback riding, historic sites, boating, and swimming. On the water side, there is a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Del Valle State Recreation Area →Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
Things to do include historic sites, ranger programs, picnicking, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Railtown 1897 State Historic Park →Pacheco State Park
The park supports horseback riding, historic sites, ranger programs, geocaching, and picnicking. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Pacheco State Park →San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area
Popular activities here are surfing, off-highway vehicle riding, horseback riding, historic sites, and boating. Water access includes a swimming beach and a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area →Columbia State Historic Park
Popular activities here are historic sites, ranger programs, picnicking, and hiking. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Columbia State Historic Park →Marsh Creek State Park State Historic Park
The park supports historic sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Marsh Creek State Park State Historic Park →Henry W. Coe State Park
Popular activities here are horseback riding, historic sites, boating, fishing, and ranger programs. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites, tent sites, and group camping.
Hours, fees and rules for Henry W. Coe State Park →Franks Tract State Recreation Area
Popular activities here are boating and fishing.
Hours, fees and rules for Franks Tract State Recreation Area →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Modesto
- Caswell Memorial State Park 11 mi northwest · Campground listed
- George J. Hatfield State Recreation Area 20 mi south · Campground listed
- McConnell State Recreation Area 22 mi southeast · Campground listed
- Turlock Lake State Recreation Area 22 mi east · Campground listed
- Lake Del Valle State Recreation Area 38 mi west · Campground listed
+ 4 more in the list above
Dog-friendly state parks near Modesto
- Caswell Memorial State Park 11 mi northwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area 30 mi west · Pets allowed under park rules
- Railtown 1897 State Historic Park 39 mi northeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Columbia State Historic Park 43 mi northeast · Pets allowed under park rules
Swimming near Modesto
- Caswell Memorial State Park 11 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- McConnell State Recreation Area 22 mi southeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- Turlock Lake State Recreation Area 22 mi east · Beach, pool or swim area
- Lake Del Valle State Recreation Area 38 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
- San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area 42 mi south · Beach, pool or swim area
Hiking near Modesto
- Caswell Memorial State Park 11 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- George J. Hatfield State Recreation Area 20 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- McConnell State Recreation Area 22 mi southeast · Hiking trails listed
- Great Valley Grasslands State Park 25 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area 35 mi west · Hiking trails listed
+ 6 more in the list above
Fishing near Modesto
- Caswell Memorial State Park 11 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- George J. Hatfield State Recreation Area 20 mi south · Fishing listed
- McConnell State Recreation Area 22 mi southeast · Fishing listed
- Turlock Lake State Recreation Area 22 mi east · Fishing listed
- Great Valley Grasslands State Park 25 mi south · Fishing listed
+ 5 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near Modesto
What is the closest state park to Modesto?
Caswell Memorial State Park is the closest, about 11 miles northwest of Modesto in a straight line. Next are George J. Hatfield State Recreation Area and McConnell State Recreation Area.
How many state parks are near Modesto?
15 state park units are within 50 miles, and 5 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Modesto have camping?
9 parks list camping, the nearest being Caswell Memorial State Park, George J. Hatfield State Recreation Area and McConnell State Recreation Area. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Modesto?
Yes, at 4 parks, including Caswell Memorial State Park, Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area and Railtown 1897 State Historic Park. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Modesto?
None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.
State parks near other cities
- Near Stockton, CA29 mi northwest
- Near Merced, CA37 mi southeast
- Near Lodi, CA37 mi northwest
- Near Los Banos, CA41 mi south
- Near Livermore, CA42 mi west
- Near Galt, CA46 mi north
- Near San Jose, CA50 mi southwest
- Near San Ramon, CA52 mi west
Or see all California state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.