Horseshoe Road Recreation Area

Horseshoe Road Recreation Area is a walk-in environmental campground on the lower Stanislaus River near Oakdale, part of the Army Corps of Engineers' Stanislaus River Parks system sometimes called the "string of pearls." Reaching the 14 individual tent sites and one group site requires roughly a three-quarter mile walk in from the gravel parking area, and the campground keeps things primitive with vault toilets, non-potable water, picnic tables, and fire rings under cottonwood and oak shade. The river corridor draws campers for fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching, with mule deer, foxes, and acorn woodpeckers common sightings, and local outfitters run guided and self-guided river floats through the area in summer. It's a low-key stop for travelers looking to get off the highway along CA-108/120 east of Oakdale.