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Modesto Reservoir Regional Park
Overview
Modesto Reservoir Regional Park serves as a premier outdoor destination for travelers visiting the Central Valley. Spanning over 3,000 acres of water and land, this park is a hub for high-energy recreation and peaceful lakeside sunsets. It is managed by Stanislaus County and offers a mix of developed camping and rugged natural beauty. Whether you are coming for a weekend of waterskiing or a quiet fishing retreat, the reservoir provides a versatile backdrop for any RV adventure.
Location & Surroundings
Nestled just outside the small town of Waterford, CA, the park is situated within the heart of California's agricultural belt. The drive into the park takes you through scenic orchards and open fields, providing a sense of escape from the bustle of the Bay Area. Its proximity to Highway 132 makes it an accessible stop for travelers heading toward the Sierra Nevada foothills. The surrounding landscape is characterized by rolling hills and wide-open California skies.
Amenities & Park Features
RVers will find a variety of camping options, including sites equipped with full hookups for a comfortable stay. The park features multiple boat ramps, making it easy to launch for a day of jet skiing or fishing. Beyond the water, guests can enjoy a dedicated archery range, a disc golf course, and a radio-controlled airplane field. Several swim beaches are available for cooling off, while well-maintained picnic areas provide space for large family gatherings under the sun.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
While the reservoir is the main draw, the nearby city of Modesto offers cultural attractions like the Gallo Center for the Arts and various local breweries. If you enjoy exploring the region’s agricultural roots, several farm stands and wineries are located within a short drive. For those looking to venture further, the park serves as a gateway to the Gold Country and is a reasonable starting point for a day trip to the western entrance of Yosemite National Park.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for active families and boating enthusiasts who thrive in a social, high-energy environment during the summer months. It is a fantastic choice for group campers who want to enjoy the water together. However, those seeking a quieter experience may prefer visiting during the spring or fall when the crowds thin out, making it a peaceful retreat for nature photographers and birdwatchers looking to observe the local wildlife.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
sickpup94
We camped here in B loop site 25 over Memorial Day weekend. The site was FHU with a level concrete pad for the RV. Each site has a concrete picnic table and very large concrete fire pit. That’s where all the good things about this campground end. There are burrs, goose poop, trash and spiders everywhere. Tent campers are allowed to reserve FHU RV sites, and many do. The campground does NOT enforce the 6 person per campsite rule, so the tent campers easily infringe on others campsites and are constantly walking through others’ campsites. When asked about the tents in RV sites, the staff at the campground entrance shack stated “We do not discriminate”, which clearly contributes to the chaos and issues of the campground. The staff at the entrance shacks are rude and incompetent. There is absolutely NO enforcement of quiet hours. Other campers keep their music loud and the party going all night, every night. They literally never turned it down and were blasting it like they were at the club… 12am, 2am, 4am, 6am… ALL NIGHT. My kids and I couldn’t get a good night sleep because of it. This is not a true family campground. It invites all the wrong elements, because they don’t enforce the rules. A majority of the campers are drunk, loud and not following any of the campground rules. There is no one cleaning any of the campsites before the next camping group arrives, so expect dirty campsites. This is not relaxing camping. It’s just non-stop loud music and partying. I would NEVER recommend this campground to people I actually like, and will never be returning.
Terry Trindade
Depending on the spot this is a great campground. Weekends kinda suck because more people come and play their music as loud as they can.
Ahmad Daneshwar
A really beautiful and peaceful place for a weekend getaway. It's perfect for swimming and kayaking. I’ve been there twice, and both times were very enjoyable.
Thien Nguyen
As other reviewers have mentioned, the quiet time is not being enforced. Quiet time is from 10pm-6am but our neighbors have been blasting their music, talking loudly while drinking, and it is now close to 2am and they are still going at it…I couldn’t sleep from all the noise so here I am writing my review, this negative experience. It really sucks because I brought my family along, and the kids were excited too, to have some fun at this place. But we can’t even get some decent sleep—-some peace and quiet. We are disappointed. It’s our first night here. Debating if we should cut our stay shorter. We definitely won’t be coming back to this place.
Britni Lloyd
Beautiful! One of my favorite places. If you are disabled you can apply for a discount and get half off for camping.