The State’s 281st Park will Open June 12 in the San Joaquin Valley
PHOTO: Parks California’s Kindley Walsh Lawlor is pictured with Jose Gonzalez (Latino Outdoors founder and Parks California board member) and State Park leadership teams from Sacramento and the Central Valley district at the April 22, 2024, dedication event at Dos Rios.
On Monday, in honor of Earth Day, Governor Gavin Newsom, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the California Natural Resources Agency and California State Parks announced the official opening of California’s newest state park, Dos Rios. Scheduled to open to the public on Wednesday, June 12, which marks the first day of the Third Annual State Parks Week, Dos Rios is the first new state park since 2014.
You can read California State Parks’ press release here.
“We at Parks California are immensely proud to celebrate the opening of Dos Rios State Park, and we congratulate the State Parks team and its many partners for bringing to life California’s newest park in 10 years, said Kindley Walsh Lawlor, president and CEO of Parks California. “Dos Rios is the result of collective stewardship and it embodies the incredible beauty of the Central Valley as well as a shared commitment to preserving California’s natural treasures, enhancing public access to the outdoors, and creating a sustainable future for all.”
Located 8 miles west of Modesto, at the confluence of the Tuolumne and San Joaquin rivers, visitors will be able to hike, picnic and access the two rivers for swimming, angling, boating, and other water sports. Other outdoor recreation activities will be determined through a public engagement process that includes consultation with area Tribes.
The park spans approximately 1,600 acres and is the largest public-private floodplain restoration project in California. Importantly, this project restores critical habitat for threatened and endangered wildlife and helps to mitigate threats from climate change. Its creation is a testament to the power of collaboration between government, conservation organizations, and passionate community partners. Through the spirit of stewardship, California State Parks’ newest park will remain a treasured sanctuary for generations to come.
As we look forward to the official opening of Dos Rios during California State Parks Week in June, we invite everyone to join us in celebrating this major milestone.
Stay tuned for more updates about Dos Rios from State Parks and join us as we prepare to explore California’s newest natural wonder!
About Parks California:
Parks California works statewide with its partners to ensure State Parks thrive. As the statutory nonprofit partner to California State Parks, Parks California has a simple mission – to help strengthen parks and inspire all to experience these extraordinary places. From redwood groves and desert springs to urban parks and lighthouses, the organization works with partners to steward these natural wonders and make California’s parks more welcoming, inclusive and climate resilient spaces. For more information, please visit parkscalifornia.org.
