California’s newest state park — the 1,600-acre Dos Rios Ranch Preserve — officially opened to the public on Wednesday, June 12 as a kickoff to State Parks Week.

Located at the confluence of the Tuolumne and San Joaquin rivers about nine miles west of Ceres, near Grayson, the Dos Rios property is the state’s largest public-private floodplain restoration project, according to California State Parks. Dos Rios restores habitat for threatened and endangered wildlife at the Tuolumne and San Joaquin rivers. It’s the state’s 281st state park and the first to open in nearly a decade.

Guests will be able to use Dos Rios for hiking, picnicking, and birdwatching, with plans for bicycling, swimming, and boating in the future.

A crowd of about 300 was on hand for the opening, which featured information booths, walking tours, food and beverages … and plenty of free swag.

“It’s great to see a new state park, not only in our back yard, but in my district, and me being able to have bragging rights to have one during my term,” said Assemblyman Juan Alanis (R-Modesto), whose sons are both Eagle Scouts. “My wife and I actually did a tour of this place last year … and we were excited, my team was excited just to be here. So that’s why some of my team is here today, because they’re looking forward to the hikes and trails and maybe someday camping here.”

Patterson’s Alex Garcia, along with her sister Gaby Garcia and son Maximus Ramos Garcia, are happy to have a state park so close to home.

“We get to go on walks with this little guy, and it feels safe because of all the rangers,” said Gaby. “It feels clean and it’s near the farm where we pick cherries, when it’s open. And blueberries.”

Six-year-old Maxiums proved to be a man of few words. When asked if he would like visiting Dos Rios in the coming years, his reply was succinct.

“Yeah.”

Dos Rios is the second state park to open in Stanislaus County, joining Turlock Lake State Recreation Area in La Grange. However, it’s been closed since 2021 while California State Parks and Turlock Irrigation District search for a new park operator.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom were at the park on April 22 to dedicate California’s first new state park since November 2014 when Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area (eastern Kern County) debuted.

Dos Rios is open Fridays through Sundays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and entrance to the park, located at 3559 Shiloh Road, near Grayson, is free. Call the park at 209-596-9032 for more information.