Facilities

Club House

Laundry Room

Swimming Pool

Hot Tub

Fitness Center

Game Room

Rec Hall

Pavilion

Exercise Room

Restroom/Shower

Restroom Only

Shower Only

Restaurant

Groceries

RV Supplies

ATM Machine

WiFi

Dog Park

Cocktail Lounge

Dog Washing Station

Pit Toilet

Snack Bar

Play Ground

Sites

Water

20 Amp

30 Amp

50 Amp

Sewer

Cable TV

Services

Escort to Site

Self-Service RV Wash

Metered LP Gas

Firewood

Fishing Supplies

Pet Supplies

Onsite Rentals

Worship Services

Golf Carts

Fishing Guides

Onsite RV Service

Staffed RV Wash

Fishing Licenses

Complimentary Breakfast

Recreational activities in or near the park

Recreational Activities

Archery Range

ATV Riding

Biking

Boating

Body Of Water

Casino

Climbing

Dock

Driving Range

Fishing

Golf

Heated Pool

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Horseshoes

Kayaking

Lawn Bowling

Mini Golf

Paddle Boats

Pickle Ball

Putting Green

Ramp

Sauna

Shuffleboard

Snow Sports

Splash Pad

Swimming

Tennis

Wading Pool

Water Slide

Water Sports

Water Umbrella

Whitewater Rafting

Policies

RV Age Restrictions

Pets Welcome

Pet Restrictions

Pet Restriction on Quantity

Pet Restriction on Breed

Pet Restriction on Size

No Pets

Tent Camping Allowed

Folding Tent Campers Allowed

No Tents

No Overnight Guests

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Caswell Memorial State Park, located near Ripon, California, offers a unique natural escape along the banks of the Stanislaus River. While it is primarily recognized for its protected riparian oak woodland, it provides a quiet environment for those traveling with smaller RV setups or camper vans. This park is best suited for nature enthusiasts who appreciate a <strong>serene riverfront setting</strong> rather than modern, high-amenity RV resorts. The park is characterized by its shaded trails and dense forests, creating a peaceful sanctuary for travelers looking to reconnect with the outdoors.</p><h2>Location & Surroundings</h2><p>Situated in the heart of the Central Valley, the park is tucked away from the main highway bustle, providing a secluded atmosphere. Its proximity to the <strong>Stanislaus River</strong> defines the landscape, offering a cool, shaded environment even during warmer months. The surrounding region is largely agricultural, characterized by rolling orchards and farmland. Travelers will find it a convenient stop for those transiting through California’s interior, providing easy access to the natural beauty of the <strong>Great Central Valley</strong> while remaining within driving distance of regional amenities in nearby Ripon.</p><h2>Amenities & Park Features</h2><p>The park focuses on simple, nature-based camping rather than full-service RV utility. Visitors can expect <strong>primitive camping sites</strong> that are ideal for self-contained units. Key features include well-maintained picnic areas and extensive hiking trails that wind through the ancient valley oaks. While the park lacks typical RV park luxuries like swimming pools or high-speed Wi-Fi, it excels in providing <strong>authentic wilderness access</strong>. Travelers should come prepared to be self-sufficient, as the primary draw here is the quiet, rustic experience of camping under the dense forest canopy.</p><h2>Nearby Attractions & Things to Do</h2><p>Beyond the park boundaries, visitors can explore the local charm of Ripon or venture slightly further to discover regional points of interest. Fishing and <strong>wildlife observation</strong> are popular pastimes, as the river environment supports a diverse array of bird species and native mammals. Those interested in local history and agriculture can explore the nearby scenic routes or visit community parks in the surrounding San Joaquin County area. It serves as a basecamp for those wanting to enjoy <strong>river-based recreation</strong> like kayaking or birdwatching in a tranquil, unhurried setting.</p><h2>Who This Park Is Best For</h2><p>Caswell Memorial State Park is the perfect fit for the <strong>minimalist RVer</strong> who prioritizes nature over connectivity and luxury amenities. It is highly recommended for retirees, photographers, and birdwatchers who want to wake up surrounded by lush vegetation and the gentle sounds of the river. Families seeking a quiet, educational nature getaway will also find it rewarding. If your goal is to <strong>escape the crowds</strong> and enjoy a primitive, picturesque camping experience, this location offers exactly the kind of atmosphere you are seeking.</p>



Caswell Memorial State Park is a state park in Ripon, California, located along the Stanislaus River. The park is named after Dr. Charles Caswell, a local doctor who donated the land to the state in 1945. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, wild turkeys, and a variety of birds. The park also features a variety of recreational activities, including camping, fishing, swimming, and hiking. There are also picnic areas and a playground. The park is open year-round and offers a variety of educational programs and events.

Caswell Memorial Park

Caswell Memorial State Park

Plan your stay at Caswell Memorial State Park in Ripon, CA. Explore this rustic riverfront gem, perfect for nature lovers and quiet, primitive RV camping.

Caswell Memorial State Park, Ripon, CA: RV Guide

First time here!
We'll definitely be back, but we'll be more prepared 😉 lots of trails to walk
Just make sure to bring bug spray 🪲 🦟 🐜

We visited Caswell Memorial State Park for a day-use trip with family. The park is clean, and the rangers were very friendly and helpful. The natural scenery and river access are nice for a relaxing day outdoors.

However, the beach area is quite small, and the water was very cold with a fairly strong current, so swimming may not be ideal for everyone, especially young children. The biggest issue was the mosquitoes—they were everywhere and continued biting even after we left the park. If you plan to visit, definitely bring mosquito repellent and protective clothing.

Overall, it was an okay experience, but because of the mosquitoes and limited beach area, I personally would not visit again.

I had a wonderful day exploring with an informative guided nature walk and beautiful hiking loops! It was such a rejuvenating experience to be surrounded by such natural beauty. The trails offered a chance to connect with the environment. I highly recommend a visit Caswell Memorial State Park for anyone seeking a peaceful and scenic escape. It's the perfect way to spend a day outdoors right in our own backyard! 🌲☀️

Great little park with several hiking trails, camping, day use areas.  Between Modesto and Ripon this is the last place that is preserving how the central valley looked before cattle land and big ag transformed the region.

No dogs allowed because there are ferral cats?!!!

"Feral cats pose significant risks to both society and the cats themselves.

For Society:

Wildlife Destruction: Feral cats are a leading cause of human-caused wildlife mortality. They are estimated to kill 1.4 to 3.7 billion birds and 6.9 to 20.7 billion small mammals annually in the U.S. alone, contributing to the extinction of 33 species and threatening endangered ones like the least tern and piping plover.
Public Health Threats: They are the #1 carrier of rabies among domestic animals and are definitive hosts for Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite linked to severe health issues in humans, including miscarriage, birth defects, blindness, and potential links to schizophrenia and memory loss.
Disease Spread: Feral cats can carry and spread diseases like flea-borne typhus, toxoplasmosis, and intestinal parasites, posing risks to pets, humans, and other animals.
Invasive Species Impact: As non-native predators, they disrupt fragile ecosystems, particularly on islands where native species lack defenses, and are listed among the world’s worst invasive species by the IUCN.
For Cats:

Short, Suffering Lives: Feral cats live dangerous, short lives, typically 1 to 5 years (vs.  15–20 indoors), often dying from disease, starvation, injuries, or vehicle collisions.
Poor Quality of Life: They suffer from untreated conditions like ear mites, abscesses, urinary blockages, and severe parasitic infections. Many endure painful, slow deaths from preventable illnesses.
Abuse and Cruelty: They face extreme cruelty, including being shot, drowned, poisoned, set on fire, or used in illegal dog fights or medical experiments.
Ineffective Management: Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs, while intended to help, often fail to reduce populations and can perpetuate suffering by maintaining cats in unsafe, disease-prone colonies"

Beautiful shady campground a little off the beaten path and worth it. No hookups but we used a spigot to fill trailer water tank. Some sites riverside, all with beach / swimming access. Most sites won't accommodate trailers - parking "pads" too short. Coin ($.25) operated hot showers. $1.50 for 4 1/2 minutes did the trick for me. Very reasonable state park rates. Great overnight stay in transit from SoCal to Washington. Will stay here again.

Lovely views of the Stanislaus river which wends it's way thru the park. Lots of interesting nature, including elderberries and rose hips.  This flat walk is marred only by the aggressive mosquito population.

Camp 🏕️ grounds & day use areas are fantastic 🤩 - wish there was more overflow parking 🅿️ for both the campground and day use areas; car fees are $10 dollars. Tent camping sites are 30 and include one vehicle 🛻. $10 for extra vehicle, two spaces.
The river is wonderful! 😅
You may see cows 🐄 , chickens 🐓, turtles 🐢, cranes 🦢, etc… along side the waterfront while you float.

Such an amazing campground. Beautiful spacious spots with lots of trees. When kids are out of school its really busy. They have regular bathrooms with water. No water at the spots but there are spickets  near. The beach isn't huge but its nice. They kept it well maintained as well. Don't come here to be loud and party. Game warden and sherif patrol often. There are showers also but cost a little bring quarters. Nice picnic tables and fire pits. Enjoy

This state park, which features a lovely flowing river and offers options for camping and day picnics, including a group picnic campground (tent only) where RVs are also permitted, although without electric hookups at the campsites. We have enjoyed camping at this park for the past two consecutive years.

Overall, we find it to be a good park. However, during our recent visit, we did have a few concerns regarding the upkeep of the campsites. This time, we experienced a significant presence of red ants and spiders at our campsite, and there was also a noticeable amount of windblown, cotton-like material throughout the area.

Additionally, we found that the fire rings were positioned very close to the wooden benches at the campsites, making them somewhat impractical to use. The campsites themselves also felt rather small. Best part is its availability to reserve 😊

Great spot for camping and floating on the river! Bathrooms and campsites were well maintained for the most part. I don’t think they sell firewood here but fires were allowed in the pit at the site. We were there on a weekend and it’s a party spot for sure - expect music and noise well into the night. And if not that, it’s the sounds coyotes and feral cats all night.

Reviews

Caswell Memorial Park