Camping sites near Patterson, California offer access to several water recreation areas within a short drive. The San Joaquin Valley location sits at approximately 100 feet elevation with summer temperatures regularly reaching triple digits, especially from June through September. Winter camping provides milder conditions with daytime temperatures in the 50-60°F range and cooler nights that can drop below 40°F.
What to do
**Fishing opportunities: Turtle Beach provides access to delta waters where you can fish without venturing far from your campsite. "Very nice. Few amenities and staff was scarce but more than adequate. Lots of room to roam for people & pets," notes one camper.
**Kayaking and tubing: Caswell Memorial State Park Campground offers a lazy river ideal for floating. A visitor explains, "The park has a creek that runs from the camp ground to the public beach down below. You can take your floating stuff up to the camp area and literally float down stream in 45 minutes or so."
**Wildlife viewing: Watch for local fauna at McConnell State Recreation Area Campground along the Merced River. "Over night & day sites, hot showers and indoor restrooms surrounded by beautiful nature," according to one review. The park has 21 tent sites with river access, though swimming may be prohibited when water levels are high.
What campers like
**Shaded campsites: Caswell Memorial State Park Campground receives praise for its tree cover. A visitor notes, "Campsites are large and most are well shaded. Bathrooms and showers are available even during COVID." The shade becomes especially valuable during hot San Joaquin Valley summers.
**Modern facilities: Some campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. One camper at Caswell Memorial State Park noted, "The bathrooms were astounding. Very modern and especially clean. Very beautiful and quiet park with the calmest river and soothing sounds of the birds around you."
**Lake recreation: Woodward Reservoir offers waterfront camping with warm water swimming. "Woodward is our family go to place to camp in the summer heat. Lots of campsites with room for tents or RVs. Fire pits and picnic tables at each site. Plenty of bathrooms, some with showers," reports one visitor.
What you should know
**Seasonal closures: Check campground status before visiting. George J. Hatfield State Recreation Area experiences periodic flooding. A visitor in June 2023 reported, "Main gate is locked. No entry, despite what it says on the park website about day use area being open. 100% boarded up at the moment."
**Insect preparation: Bring insect repellent, especially for riverside camping. Mosquitoes can be prevalent near water sources, particularly in spring and early summer as temperatures rise.
**Weekend crowding: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during peak season. A Del Valle Campground visitor observed, "Close to the Bay Area and probably one of the better options. It can get crowded over the weekends."
**Water recreation restrictions: Water contact may be prohibited during certain months. At Woodward Reservoir, "Be aware that usually late September to Mid April, there is no body to water contact."
Tips for camping with families
**River recreation options: Del Valle Campground provides multiple activities for children. "Del Valle is one of the most beautiful lakes in the east bay. The water is perfect temperature. Great hikes, paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming and beginner windsurfing."
**Noise considerations: Some campgrounds become lively on weekends. One McConnell State Recreation Area camper noted, "Unfortunately it was a mess Fri-Sun mid-June with loud Norteño music being blasted from multiple campsites and the day/group area in particular. Very loud and non-stop."
**Swimming options: Look for designated swimming areas with natural beaches. At Caswell Memorial State Park, "There is a place where we usually stop to swim about 2/3 down the slope which is deep and perfect."
**Wildlife viewing opportunities: Schedule early morning wildlife watching. At Del Valle, one camper observed, "There was quite a bit of wildlife roaming through the park mainly in the early morning. I saw deer and turkeys roaming the campground."
Tips from RVers
**Overnight stopover option: Kit Fox RV Park serves as a convenient transit point. One visitor mentioned, "We used Kit Fox as a stop over on our voyage from Oregon to Arizona. We stayed one night. The park is CLEAN, Quiet, the sites level, The Park staff are helpful. I received a military discount."
**Highway noise considerations: Some RV parks experience traffic noise. At Merced River Resort, one camper warned, "Loud with highway noise, factory next door and train goes through many times a night."
**Hook-up availability varies: Full hookups aren't universal. A Thousand Trails Turtle Beach visitor noted, "This application says it's 50 amp with septic. No septic and only 30 amp service. Clean place- just seems to be portapots."
**Off-season advantages: Consider visiting outside summer months. Many campgrounds remain open year-round with fewer crowds and cooler temperatures in spring and fall.
