RV Info & Parking
RV Info & Parking
RV Travelers’ Guide
Welcome to your go-to guide for exploring California’s Central Valley by RV. Modesto makes it easy to travel comfortably with convenient rest stops, dump stations, and repair shops, plus plenty of reasons to turn your travel day into an adventure. Enjoy lakeside fun at Modesto Reservoir, RV-friendly camping and water activities at Woodward Reservoir, and scenic trails and wildlife viewing at Dos Rios State Park, California’s newest state park. If Yosemite National Park is your final destination, Modesto is the perfect basecamp on the way, with must-visit stops before you reach the mountains.
Modesto Reservoir
Woodward Reservoir
RV Parks
Dump Stations
Fuel & Gas Stations
RV Repair Shops
Pathways to Yosemite
Modesto offers two scenic routes for travelers heading to Yosemite National Park. One route takes you past Modesto Reservoir and the historic Roberts Ferry Covered Bridge, while the other leads you to Woodward Reservoir and Knights Ferry Recreational Park and Covered Bridge. For RV travelers, both route are ideal locations to stop along the way, offering RV-friendly campgrounds, hook-up sites, lakefront views, and a wide range of outdoor activities—making it a perfect place to rest, recharge, and enjoy family-friendly adventure before continuing your journey to Yosemite.
Modesto Reservoir
Modesto Reservoir is a fun, family-friendly stop for RV travelers exploring California’s Central Valley. Awarded Gold Best RV Park/Campground in 2025 by Modesto Bee for “Best in Modesto“. RV parking and access to multiple campgrounds with full hook-ups—including Blonde Island, Sierra View, Lakeview, and Water Side Campgrounds—make it easy to settle in and start your adventure. The reservoir is well equipped for extended stays, with a daily RV parking entry fee of $60 required. Families can enjoy a day of fishing for Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, and Bluegill, or keep an eye out for local wildlife such as squirrels, jackrabbits, cottontails, red-tailed hawks, coyotes, burrowing owls, geese, ducks, blue herons, and great white egrets.
Two convenient boat ramps provide easy water access, while the on-site archery range—open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.—and a radio-control airplane field near the west boat ramp offer unique activities for all ages. Designed with comfort in mind, Modesto Reservoir features 15 restrooms with showers, a dump station near the entrance and campground area, and fuel available on site for boats. To help protect water quality, pets and gasoline containers are not allowed, and while automotive fuel is not available on site, several gas stations are located nearby in Waterford. Just a short drive away, the historic Roberts Ferry Covered Bridge offers a charming step back in time—this restored wooden bridge spans the Tuolumne River and provides a scenic spot for photos, picnicking, fishing, and exploring the surrounding countryside, making it a perfect add-on stop during your RV journey.
Woodward Reservoir
Woodward Reservoir, located at 14528 26-Mile Road just north of Oakdale off Highway 120, is a Central Valley favorite and a go-to playground for families and RV travelers alike—earning the title of “2025 Silver Best RV Park & Campground” from The Modesto Bee “Best in Modesto“. RV travelers will find comfortable, well-equipped camping options with hook-up sites at popular spots like T-Island, Hackberry Flat, Muir Point, Fischer Point, Charlie’s Point, and Mountain View Point, along with additional first-come, first-served campsites, concessions, picnic shelters, barbecues, and picnic tables—perfect for extended family stays. The reservoir’s marina and boating facilities offer essential amenities including fishing tackle sales, nearby convenience stores and fuel sales in Oakdale and Escalon, 16 restrooms with showers, and a designated swimming area, making it easy to plan a full day on the water or at camp.
Adventure is always close by, with opportunities for boating, jet skiing, kayaking, water skiing, fishing, horseback riding, and picnicking, plus three boat launches and a convenient fish-cleaning station. Kids and kids-at-heart will love the race-kart track and radio-control airplane field, while families can gather for special events like the annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration. Bring your furry companion, because Woodward is pet-friendly. Just a short drive from Woodward, visitors can explore the historic Knights Ferry Covered Bridge—California’s longest-covered bridge—along with scenic river access, hiking trails, and Gold Rush-era landmarks, making it a perfect addition to your Central Valley RV journey.
Yosemite National Park
Visiting Yosemite National Park for its iconic natural sights? Winter is a magical time for RV travelers, with fewer crowds and snow-covered views that feel straight out of a postcard. Park your RV and soak in the famous Tunnel View, where Bridalveil Fall and Half Dome look even more stunning in crisp winter light. In Yosemite Valley, you may catch frozen waterfalls like Lower Yosemite Fall and discover scenic spots like bridges and the charming Yosemite Valley Chapel framed by snow. For a peaceful, photo-worthy stop, head to Mariposa Grove to walk among towering giant sequoias dusted in winter white.
Yosemite National Park is one of America’s most legendary outdoor destinations and for RV travelers, it is the ultimate road trip reward. Each year, millions of visitors arrive to experience towering granite cliffs, thundering waterfalls, giant sequoias, and unforgettable wildlife sightings. Whether you are chasing epic hikes, planning a backpacking adventure, or simply craving quiet mornings surrounded by nature, Yosemite delivers a front-row seat to California’s wild beauty. From scenic drives and stargazing nights to unforgettable trails and photo-worthy overlooks, this is the kind of destination that turns an RV trip into the adventure of a lifetime and a stop you will never forget.
RV Campsites & Parking
Seasonal Yosemite Activities Blog
Yosemite is the perfect travel destination because every season brings a new way to explore. In winter, enjoy snowy views, scenic drives, and peaceful hikes. Spring fills the valley with rushing waterfalls and wildflowers. Summer is ideal for longer trail days, river time, and outdoor sightseeing. Fall delivers crisp air, fewer crowds, and stunning golden scenery. No matter when you visit, there is always something new to experience from hiking and biking to photography, wildlife viewing, and relaxing at scenic overlooks. Check out our seasonal blogs for tips, itineraries, and the best things to do in Yosemite National Park during every time of year.
Dos Rios State Park
Dos Rios State Park invites RV travelers to slow down, stretch their legs, and experience one of California’s newest and most inspiring outdoor destinations. Located about eight miles west of Modesto at the confluence of the Tuolumne and San Joaquin Rivers, this park offers an easy and scenic stop that connects visitors to the region’s rich natural and ranching history. As you explore the restored floodplain forest, you will discover the powerful relationship between water, wildlife, conservation, and the working landscape that once defined this area. Dos Rios is more than just a park, it is the largest and most unique floodplain restoration project in California, completed in partnership with River Partners and designed to support threatened and endangered species while expanding access to outdoor recreation.
RV travelers will appreciate the convenient parking, restrooms, and drinking water available on site, along with flat, wheelchair-accessible areas, picnic spaces, and opportunities for nature and wildlife viewing. During its initial opening phase, vehicle day use is free, and the park is currently open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., making it a perfect weekend add-on to your Central Valley RV route. Dogs are welcome in designated areas, including the base camp and on the Pond Loop and Confluence Trails, as long as they stay leashed. For safety, visitors are encouraged to use caution near the rivers, as there are no lifeguards on duty and water conditions can change quickly. With peaceful views, self-guided and guided trail experiences, and wide-open space for a relaxing break from the road, Dos Rios is an ideal stop to recharge and reconnect with nature before continuing your RV journey.
Local Parks, Rivers, and Hiking
The best road trip moments happen long before you arrive. Take a break at one of Modesto’s many local parks, where you will find open green spaces, shaded picnic areas, and room to stretch out and recharge before hitting the road again. Our twin rivers Stanislaus River and Tuolumne River offers the perfect spot for a relaxing riverside walk and a chance to spot local wildlife. It is a calm, scenic escape just minutes from town. Find trails that offer a simple, nature-filled route through shaded areas along the river. It is a great way to enjoy the outdoors without going far off your route.
