Franks Tract

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=490 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franks_Tract_State_Recreation_Area Franks Tract State Recreation Area is a state park unit of California, USA, featuring a flooded area in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta. It is accessible only by water. Franks Tract is situated between the False River and Bethel Island. The recreation area is used primarily for fishing and waterfowl hunting. In times of high water, the entire site can be submerged except for portions of the old levees.

Brannan Island Franks Tract State Recreation Areas 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. The Delta’s 700 miles of channels and sloughs invite campers, picnickers, hikers, boaters, anglers and swimmers California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (916) 777-6671. This publication can be made available in alternate formats. Contact interp@parks.ca.gov or call (916) 654-2249. 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 Discover the many states of California.™ Brannan Island SRA Franks Tract SRA 17645 Hwy. 160 Rio Vista, CA 94571 (916) 777-6671 © 2011 California State Parks to come out and play. B rannan Island State Recreation Area is the gateway to 700 miles of rivers, sloughs, marshes, levees and river channels that make up the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The park has long been a popular destination for year-round water recreation—boating, fishing, swimming, camping and picnicking. From its vantage point on the Sacramento River’s east bank, the recreation area offers a fine view of Mount Diablo to the south. Early Residents Identification of the Delta’s prehistoric residents is challenging. Archaeologists speculate that agricultural activity, dredging, levee construction and reclamation efforts may have altered the locations of—or even destroyed—any identifiable Native American artifacts. In the early 1800s, the area’s abundant wildlife resources drew hunters and fur trappers, including the Hudson Bay Company. Beginning in the 1830s, Swiss immigrant John A. Sutter operated fishing and fur trapping camps on the Delta; others settled in as ranchers and crop farmers. park history The 336-acres of Brannan Island State Recreation Area (SRA) were acquired by the State in 1954; they became a park in 1965. The recreation area is bordered by the Sacramento River to the west, Three Mile Sam Brannan Slough on the south, and Seven Mile Slough to the east. The island is named for Sam Brannan, who became California’s first millionaire by selling supplies to gold seekers. Brannan led a pioneer group of Mormons to California in 1846. That same year, he sailed across San Francisco Bay to the Delta, where he established New Hope, the first Mormon community in the San Joaquin Valley. Brannan Island’s 40-foot elevation comes from debris deposited there during channeldredging operations. Most other Delta islands lie below sea level. Franks Tract and Little Franks Tract Six miles southeast of Brannan Island, Franks Tract SRA was once a source of peat moss processing and export. The Delta’s rich peat deposits were the second-largest in the U.S., next to the Florida Everglades. Due to repeated levee failures in the mid- and late-1930s, Franks Tract is now completely submerged. This area is known for excellent year-round fishing and seasonal waterfowl hunting. Permits are available at Brannan Island; for regulations and information, visit www.dfg.ca.gov. Little Franks Tract is encircled by marsh and riparian habitat along the remnants of a breached levee. The area shelters more than 70 species of birds and a great variety of fish species. Wildlife includes beavers, raccoons, mink, river otters and muskrats. recreational activities Winter temperatures range from 45 to 55 degrees. Summer days vary from 65 to 100 degrees. Cooling Delta breezes often gust to 25 mph, and tides can vary as much as six feet in one day. Fishing—Bass, sturgeon, shad, bluegill and migrating salmon are among the Delta’s inhabitants. Anglers over 16 must carry a valid California fishing license. For fishing details, visit www.dfg.ca.gov. Boating—A ten-lane launch ramp has parking and nearby restrooms. Swimming—The day-use area has Once the Delta tributaries join together, they taper into a channel, entering the ocean through narrow Carquinez Strait. a swim beach. The swim area at Seven Mile Slough is closed to powerboats. Family Camping—Cottonwood and Willow Campgrounds have 102 tent or RV sites with no hookups. The Olympic Loop RV Campground has 12 sites with water and electric hookups. A sanitation station is nearby. A small, hike-in cabin can accommodate four campers. Boat-in Camping—Thirty-two slips take boats up to 35 feet long and 10 feet wide. Walk-in Camping—These 13 sites have tables, stoves and cupboards. Drinking water and restrooms are nearby. Group Camping—Six group sites each hold up to 30 people; larger groups may reserve multiple sites. Sites accommodate RVs up to 36 feet long. Picnicking—Four family picnic areas stretch

Brannan Island State Recreation Area 17645 Hwy. 160 • Rio Vista, CA 94571 • (916) 777-6671 The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta—a thousand miles of rivers, sloughs, levees, and marshes—has become one of the world’s outstanding water recreation areas. At its gateway, Brannan Island State Recreation Area offers year-round camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, and swimming. PARK FEES are due and payable upon entry into the park. Use the self-registration system if the entrance station is closed. Fees include one vehicle. Extra vehicles will be charged a fee. Campsite use must be paid for in advance. To hold a campsite you must reserve and occupy it. QUIET HOURS are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Radios and other sound-producing devices must not be audible beyond your immediate campsite. To ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone, please do not disturb other campers, regardless of the time of day or night. OCCUPANCY: Eight people maximum are allowed per campsite. GENERATORS may only be operated between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. VEHICLE PARKING: Vehicles may only be parked in your assigned campsite. They must remain on the pavement and must not extend into the roadway beyond the campsite number or limit line. You may park two vehicles in each campsite. ALCOHOL and glass containers are not allowed beyond your campsite. CAMPSITES: Ropes or lines may not be attached to any plant, fence, or park structure. You may attach lines to your property only. It is essential that tents and other equipment be confined to the space assigned. For information on the campsite limits, please ask a ranger or the camp host. CHECK-OUT TIME is noon. Please vacate your site by that time. Check-in is 2 p.m. SPEED LIMIT: The maximum speed limit is 15 mph. When pedestrians are present even 15 mph might be too fast. Use good judgment. DOGS must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and under human control at all times. They are allowed on paved roads or in your campsite only. Dogs (except for service dogs) are prohibited on all trails and beaches except in designated areas. Pets must be kept inside tents or vehicles during nighttime hours. FIRES/FIREWOOD: Fires are only allowed in fire rings provided. Collecting dead or downed wood is prohibited. Firewood is available for sale at the camp host site. All fireworks are prohibited. FISHING regulations are available at www.dfg.ca.gov. LOADED FIREARMS AND HUNTING are not allowed. Possession of loaded firearms or air rifles is prohibited. BICYCLES are allowed only on paved roads. Bicycle riders under age 18 must wear a helmet. Bicycles ridden after dark must have a light. Please ride safely. DAY USE offers beach access, restrooms, barbecues, picnic tables, and shade ramadas. Day use is open from sunrise to sunset. TRASH: Cigarettes, paper, boxes, bottles, ashes, and other rubbish must be placed in designated receptacles. Please clean up after yourself so that others may enjoy the beauty of this park. NOTE: All natural and cultural features are protected by law and may not be disturbed or removed. 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: This publication can be made available in alternate formats. Contact interp@parks.ca.gov to Isleton (5 Miles) Rio Vista (3 Miles) Accessible Feature Boat Launch: Vehicle 68 70 69 73 71 81 79 77 nt Willow Campground to Gr Cottonwood Campground 160 Rally Site (Overflow) Slo Three Mile ug h Olympic Loop Campground (No Tent Camping) Ac ces s (No D riv in g) Launch Host Walk-In Camp 119 Maps not to scale 122 E 128 Walk-in Camp 127 M 126 118 116 117 ile M e re ugh Th Slo t B R 124 125 ou 121 120 Cabin 123 mp © 2011 California State Parks (Rev. 2018) 110 C to Antioch (13 Miles) 911. Boat Trailer Parking Pu For Emergencies, Dial 108 109 111 oup C Kiosk Delta Vista Berthing Area dB eac h Boat Launch 104 105 1 115 06 10 11 7 4 11 3 Park Entrance to San Joaquin River (2 Miles) amp an me 74 Rally Site (Overflow) Mile Ro ad rge Swimming 75 72 nla Delta Sector Office Windy Cove 82 80 78 76 Seven Sac Showers ee p 67 RV Sanitation Station Cottonwood Campground 84 83 Se Restrooms tati on 66 No Power Boats Beyond this Point Ranger Station am Kiosk 65 Picnic Area: Group ce S 63 90 87 86 Picnic Area -in 62 64 61 89 88 85 Fishing Pier Beach Area En tra n 59 92 Parking to Mokelumne River (5 Miles) Wa lk 57 96 94 Sacramento Group Campground to 56 58 60 98 95 93 91 Locked Gate ree M idg ile e 54 55 102 100 52 160 Campground: Group Br 53 99 97 Campground Th 101 51 Three Mile Slough 25 29 23 27 22 24 31 30 20 21 33 32 19 18 17 15 34 16 35 12 14 36 37 13 10 38 Willow 39 9 11 Campground 40 8 41 7 42 6 43 5 3 44 4 2 46 49 45 1 50 48 47 to h ug San Joaquin o l S River (4 Miles) Riv er 28 26 ram Camp Host