Caswell Memorial State Park - California
Caswell Memorial State Park preserves a riparian forest along the Stanislaus River. It is located in southern San Joaquin County southwest of the town of Ripon. Riparian Oak Woodland, located in this park, is threatened and the park is trying to protect it. It once flourished through California's Central Valley. Caswell is also the home to several endangered species. This park has been named after the landowner, Thomas Caswell.
maps Mother Lode - Boundary Map Boundary Map of the Mother Lode BLM Field Office area in California. Published by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
brochures Caswell Memorial - Brochure Brochure of Caswell Memorial State Park (SP) in California. Published by California Department of Parks and Recreation.
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=557
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caswell_Memorial_State_Park
Caswell Memorial State Park preserves a riparian forest along the Stanislaus River. It is located in southern San Joaquin County southwest of the town of Ripon. Riparian Oak Woodland, located in this park, is threatened and the park is trying to protect it. It once flourished through California's Central Valley. Caswell is also the home to several endangered species. This park has been named after the landowner, Thomas Caswell.
Caswell
Memorial
State Park
Our Mission
The mission of California State Parks is
to provide for the health, inspiration and
education of the people of California by helping
to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological
diversity, protecting its most valued natural and
cultural resources, and creating opportunities
for high-quality outdoor recreation.
To enter
this ancient forest
is to step back in time
and glimpse a
riparian woodland
of long ago.
California State Parks supports equal access.
Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who
need assistance should contact the park at
(209) 599-3810. If you need this publication in an
alternate format, contact interp@parks.ca.gov.
CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-0001
For information call: (800) 777-0369
(916) 653-6995, outside the U.S.
711, TTY relay service
www.parks.ca.gov
Caswell Memorial State Park
28000 South Austin Road
Ripon, CA 95366
(209) 599-3810
© 2006 California State Parks (Rev. 2018)
A
The Stanislaus River winds along the south
side of the campground and day-use areas.
The park offers activities such as camping,
picnicking, swimming, fishing, tubing from
the campground to the day-use area, bird
watching, and hiking. Fishing is popular, and
fishing spots are plentiful along the sandy
main channel of the Stanislaus River or the
extremely slow-moving oxbows. Largemouth
and smallmouth bass, catfish, bullhead,
bluegill and other sunfish, crappie, and
pikeminnow thrive here year round. Striped
bass and Chinook salmon annually migrate
through the area.
PARK HISTORY
For millenia before recorded history,
native people lived in the forests along the
Stanislaus, Tuolumne, and San Joaquin Rivers.
Now known as the Northern Valley Yokuts,
they made use of the
rivers’ stable food
supply of fish, acorns,
and large and
small game.
Spanish colonists
began establishing
a mission system
along the coast of
Thomas Caswell on his
California in the midModesto ranch, ca. 1920
1700s. The influence of
the missions on the native people triggered a
rapid change in the Yokuts culture.
The area of the Stanislaus River became
historically significant in 1829, when
Estanislao, a former convert from Mission
San José, led an uprising against the Mexican
army. After four attempts, the Mexican army
defeated Estanislao and his followers, and the
river came to be known as “Rio de Estanislao,”
in honor of the brave chieftain whose name is
Spanish for Stanislaus.
The Yokuts way of life began its decline
during the 1830s. Vast numbers of native
people died from disease, the harsh life at
the missions, and war. In 1833 a severe malaria
outbreak killed one-third to one-half of the
native people. Four years later, a smallpox
epidemic swept through the California
Indian population.
Seven hundred acres of riparian forest
along the river were purchased by Thomas
Caswell, a farm equipment manufacturer
and rancher, in 1915. In 1950 the Caswell
family created a legacy for the people of
California by donating 134 acres of forest
to be preserved as a state park, so future
generations might experience the valley in
its original natural state.
NATURAL HISTORY
One of the rarest habitats in California is
the riparian woodland. The term “riparian”
refers to vegetation or habitat along rivers
and streams. A vast forest once covered
much of the Central Valley’s riverbanks and
floodplains. What you see in the park today
is just a remnant of this once much larger
forest. Thanks to the forethought of the
Caswell family in protecting what was left,
the park now includes a large area of mature
riparian forest.
A variety of micro-climates can be found
within the riparian zone; as a result, the
vegetation is a mosaic of different species.
Dense willow groves grow along the shore
of the river. Willows also grow in the lower,
wetter areas within the park, providing
excellent feeding, nesting, and shelter
for many species of small birds.
Just inland from the
willows, but still in
the wetter and more
frequently flooded
areas, cottonwoods
stand. As some of
the tallest trees,
they provide nesting
Great horned owl
habitat for the
threatened Swainson’s hawk and other raptors
and owls. Sycamore trees are also found
in this area. Higher areas that historically
were flooded for shorter periods of time
are predominantly vegetated with a valley
oak forest.
The majestic valley oak is the largest
species of oak in the United States. Some
of these mature oaks are more than 60 feet
tall, with a circumference of up to 17 feet.
Valley oaks produce long, slender acorns.
Many insects, birds, and mammals depend
on these acorns as their main food source for
part of the year.
A rich understory of wild rose, blackberry,
currant, and sedge flourishes. This tangle of
undergrowth provides protection and food
for a large variety of wildlife, such as rabbits,
woodrats, raccoons, weasels, skunks, foxes,
and opossums. In the evenings, listen for
the great horned owls hooting in the
surrounding trees.
Caswell Memorial State Park
28000 South Austin Road • Ripon, CA 95366 • (209) 599-3810
Welcome to Caswell Memorial State Park, a small, wild refuge in the midst of the great Central Valley of California. Located six miles
southwest of Ripon, this unique state park protects one of the last remaining oak-riparian woodlands that once flourished throughout
the valley.
CAMPSITE OCCUPANCY: Each campsite
is limited to (8) eight people and (2) two
licensed vehicles, including trailers (CCR
4452(a)). One vehicle is included in your
registration fee. Additional vehicle fees
required. All vehicles must stay on paved
roads and park in designated parking sites
(CCR 4358).
DAY USE: Picnic tables and barbecues are
located in the day-use areas. Family and
group picnic facilities are available.
SWIMMING: Beaches and swimming
areas are located near the park’s
day-use and campground facilities (NO
LIFEGUARD SERVICE).
CHECK-OUT TIME is 12 noon (CCR 4456).
Please vacate your site by that time. If you
wish to remain in the park after you check
out, you must move your vehicle to day-use
parking. Check-in time is 2 p.m.
GENERATORS may only be operated
between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.
(CCR 4320(c)).
QUIET HOURS are between 10 p.m. and 6
a.m. (CCR 4320). Daytime radios, music,
and other loud activities must not disturb
other visitors.
FIREARMS: Firearms, bows and arrows,
weapons and fireworks are not permitted
(CCR 4313).
SPEED LIMIT: The maximum speed limit
is 15 mph and is strictly enforced. Children
and adults frequently cross roadways. Please
drive carefully (CCR 4353(a)).
DOGS must be on a six-foot leash and
under your immediate control at all times,
and they must be confined in a tent or
vehicle at night. Please clean up after your
pet (CCR 4312).
FIREWOOD SALES (seasonal): When
available, may be purchased from the camp
host. All natural materials such as wood,
twigs, bark or plant materials are protected
and are important to the ecosystem. No
gathering permitted (CCR 4306).
BICYCLES are NOT ALLOWED on trails,
but are permitted on paved roads and fire
roads. Bicyclists under 18 years of age must
wear approved helmets. At dark, bicycles
must be equipped with a headlight and
reflectors (CVC 21201).
TRAILS: Explore the park by walking the
trails that meander through the majestic
oak forest and along the Stanislaus River.
A trail map is available at the entrance
station. Except for service dogs, NO DOGS
ARE ALLOWED ON THE TRAILS (CCR 4312).
FISHING is popular here, as many species
thrive in the slow-moving, muddybottomed river. Summertime fishing yields
largemouth, smallmouth and striped bass,
bullhead, sturgeon, bluegill, catfish, shad,
and buffalo carp. A valid CA fishing license
required for everyone 16 years of age
and over.
THEFT: Campsites are vulnerable to
theft at any time. Please secure your
valuables and equipment, and report
any suspicious activity.
Discover the many states of California.TM
CAMPING RESERVATIONS: You may make camping reservations by calling (800) 444-7275 (TTY 800-274-7275).
To make online reservations, visit our website at www.parks.ca.gov.
ALTERNATE FORMAT: If you need this publication in an alternate format,
contact interp@parks.ca.gov.
LEGEND
Accessible Campsite
To Ripon
and Hwy 99
Campfire Center
Group Campground
Parking
Ranger Station
Restrooms
Showers
# Tent Campsites
2800
0 Sout
h Au
stin
R
Hiking Trail
oad
Hand Launch
River Access
Caswell Memorial
State Park
15
10
12
8
28
29
30
31
27
32
33
45 34
6
4
46
37
47
63
38
62
48
59
61
36
56
39
49
54
43
51
42
40
60
58
57
55
Stan
islau
53
s
52
50
r
7
35
Rive
1
64
T ra
il t
an o day
-us
do
e
ak
fore are
st a
25
laus
d Road
Campgrou n
9
5
3
24
26
Stanis
13
11
2
Us
eP
ar
kin
g
21
16
Service
Yard
Telephone
23
18
14
Swimming
To Day
17
22
20
19
41
44
River
© 2006 California State Parks (Rev. 2015)