Places
Friant Cove
17839 Millerton Rd, Friant, CA 93626
Friant Cove is a park-and-ride and fishing access point in the town of Friant. Friant Cove is owned by the San Joaquin River Conservancy and managed by California State Parks and Millerton Lake State Recreation Area. Includes a hand-carried canoe launch, fishing, picnic tables, and restroom. For information, call (559) 822-2332.
Directions: Located on the corner of Friant Expressway and Road 206
Fee: Free
Hours: Open seven days a week
Lost Lake Park
Lost Lake Rd, Friant, CA 93626
This 305-acre county park features riverfront picnic & barbecue facilities, restrooms, open wildlife habitat, a boat launch, and a self-guided nature trail. Along the trail you’ll witness a variety of bird life as well as native American grinding holes in the boulders bordering the river. Straight across the river from the south end of the picnic area, you will see a tree that is home to a large flock of black-crowned night herons. Snowy egrets, Great Blue Herons, and even an occasional bobcat can be spotted in the undeveloped areas of the park.
Directions: Take Highway 41 north to Friant Road. Follow Friant east 8 miles, park entrance will be on your left.
Fee: $5/vehicle
Hours: Open daily, 7 am-10 pm, April-September, Open daily, 7 am-7 m, October-March
Sumner Peck Ranch
14439 N Friant Rd, Friant, CA 93626
The River Parkway Trust acquired Sumner Peck Ranch in December 2020. The 76-acre property is located in Fresno County just south of Friant on the San Joaquin River, and contiguous with Ball Ranch, Ledger Island, and the Willow Unit of the San Joaquin River Ecological Reserve. The property includes a half-mile of river frontage and wildlife habitat in addition to farmland.
Sumner Peck Ranch will be open for public enjoyment seven days a week from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm, during Solitary Cellars' daily operating hours.
Coke Hallowell Center for River Studies
11605 Old Friant Road, Fresno, CA 93730
Hours of Operation: Grounds Open: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturdays and Sundays, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
Riverview Ranch House and River Store Open: Saturday and Sundays, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm (Closed during the month of January)
Entry is free; donations are encouraged.
Riverview Ranch House and River Store Open: Saturday and Sundays, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm (Closed during the month of January)
Entry is free; donations are encouraged.
Jensen River Ranch
Below the Woodward, Park bluffs lies Jensen River Ranch, a 167-acre property owned by the San Joaquin River Conservancy. The River Parkway Trust is currently working on a restoration project on the site that includes habitat restoration, a trail network, and picnic sites near the river. For now, the property is accessible to pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrians from the Lewis S. Eaton Trail and through Woodward Park. River access is currently available via an interim loop trail, which runs between the two pastures, along the riverbank, and then back toward the bluffs. While you're on the loop trail, be sure to look for Mexican Elderberry bushes, host to the Threatened Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle.
Hours: Open Daily
Hours: Open Daily
Woodward Park
This beautiful park is operated by the City of Fresno and offers many amenities, including restrooms, picnic sites with barbecues, several ponds and streams, the Shin Zen Friendship Garden, 3 playgrounds, and access to the Lewis S. Eaton Trail and Jensen River Ranch. For more information, check the City's website at http://www.fresno.gov/.
Directions: Take Highway 41 north, exit right on Friant road, left on Audubon, right into the park.
Fee: $5/vehicle
Hours: Open daily, 7 am-10 pm, April-September, Open daily, 7 am-7 pm, October-March
Directions: Take Highway 41 north, exit right on Friant road, left on Audubon, right into the park.
Fee: $5/vehicle
Hours: Open daily, 7 am-10 pm, April-September, Open daily, 7 am-7 pm, October-March
Wildwood Native Park
Wildwood, Madera, CA 93636
This park is owned by the San Joaquin River Conservancy and managed by the City of Fresno. Amenities include restrooms, parking, and river access for boating (hand-carried craft only) and fishing. For more information, you can contact the Conservancy at (559) 253-7324.
Directions: Take Hwy. 41 north, exit Rio Mesa, turn right onto frontage road, and turn left on the access road for Cobb's Tree Farm and Wildwood Mobile Home park, gate for Wildwood Native Park is straight ahead.
Fee: Free
Hours: Open every Friday-Sunday and holidays, 7 am-7 pm
River West Fresno
The San Joaquin River Conservancy is proposing a project to extend the Lewis S. Eaton Trail by approximately 2.5 miles on over 500 acres of public land. The project site is called Spano River Ranch or River West Fresno and is located between Highway 41 and Palm Avenue.
The River West Fresno project will provide public access to 500 acres of open space and the San Joaquin River. Once complete, there will be a continuous trail from the River Center on Old Friant Road to Palm and Nees.
The River West Fresno project will provide public access to 500 acres of open space and the San Joaquin River. Once complete, there will be a continuous trail from the River Center on Old Friant Road to Palm and Nees.
Sycamore Island
39664 Ave 7 1/2, Madera, CA 93636
The Trust started operating Sycamore Island in 2013 under a 5-year agreement with the San Joaquin River Conservancy. Sycamore island has three access points to the river for canoeing and kayaking and has several miles of dirt roads that provide an excellent surface for trail running or walking, and horse riding. There are three covered picnic shelters on the 350-acre property and a bait shop that sells snacks and beverages. Canoes and Kayaks are available to rent on site on a first come first served basis.
Days Open: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays, from the first Saturday in February to Veteran's Day.
Seasonal Hours of Operation: February, March, October, and November open 6:00 am-5:30 pmApril and September open 6:00 am-7:00 pmMay-August open 6:00 am-8:30 pm
Entrance fee: $9/vehicle, $5/trailer. An annual pass is available for $85. Purchase at the bait shop or save time by buying your pass online.
Days Open: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays, from the first Saturday in February to Veteran's Day.
Seasonal Hours of Operation: February, March, October, and November open 6:00 am-5:30 pmApril and September open 6:00 am-7:00 pmMay-August open 6:00 am-8:30 pm
Entrance fee: $9/vehicle, $5/trailer. An annual pass is available for $85. Purchase at the bait shop or save time by buying your pass online.