We had a privilege of going on a " Path of the Padres" guided tour here at Los Banos Creek…read moreReservoir on 2/25/2018 Sunday. There's no exit from 152 or I-5 to get to the reservoir , you'd have to drive to Volta Rd , then on to Canyon Rd to get to the boat launching area. A little winding but not too bad. A beautiful lake full of wildlife , while we were riding on a tour boat we saw a couple of ospreys , deer, koots, herriers , red-tails ( hawks). While we hiked our 9 -mile trail , we saw tons of cows, footprints of raccoons and deer, coyote scats . Bobcats and mountain lions been spotted here also. We learned history of Yokuts Indians , saw a could of acorn grinding holes on a rock, learned about the native plants such as wild cucumbers, Willow , dark blue elderberry trees and how the Yokuts Indians used to use them for medicinal purposes. We were welcomed by the nice cool breeze and the warm sun while we hiked but it was freezing cold while sitting in a boat. Luckily , we were prepared and had our down jackets , scarves and gloves. The tour is guided by two extremely knowledgeable and friendly park rangers. Richard has 14 year of experience in this area and very knowledgeable about the Yokuts Indian and the history of California. Nathan is a very skilled boat operator and friendly, skilled outdoor ranger. They made this experience much more memorable and fun. We hike an extra mile and a half to see the abandoned barn and houses by Basque immigrants. Old abandoned barns were pictureristique . It was fun watching the cows grazing up close and walk away as we approached them. Two of the ospreys we saw were so beautiful and majestic. They were perched proudly on the tree branches. Some area of the trail are very steep , narrow and slippery. We had to do some creek and river crossings. I wouldn't recommend it for small children but they do offer school trips there. Overall, a great outdoor experience of hiking , learning and a boat riding. $20 per person for the tour and you have to register through California State Park website. Tours only offered on the weekends during end of February to April.

Oct 2021 I stopped by the reservoir to fly RC Gliders. Jorge the ranger was very helpful letting…read moreme know where to go, unlocking the gate and welcoming this first timer to the park. Had a great time flying my Pittbull fully ballasted the first day in 15 + mph winds till sunset. Next day the lift wasn't so good, but I had a great time flying other planes. I told my other RC Glider buddies and they are stoked to make a trip up. Talking with Jorge and knowing this great park is so welcoming to RC Glider and RC planes, I will sure plan another trip out here in 2022.

I love it here! Local enough to go for the day and seem like you're miles and miles away from it…read moreall. Great opportunity for scenic hikes from parking lot. Play area for kids is nice and big and they have picnic tables and grills for an awesome BBQ. All of this under huge shady trees :) It's a win!! Did I mention the drive up is cool too?!?! Check it out!

Had a Great time with my family plenty of tables and BBQ grills. There is also trails where you can…read morehike. And park for the kids to play. The only minor thing is there is no water spouts in the park you have to drive Down about 3 miles to the nearest water spout. Also the park needs to be cleaned up a little and bathrooms are port a potties so be prepared for that.

I likes dis paffway bekuz I are cat. Great seenerie, nice flowerz, no food though. Not a rat or…read moreburd in sight. Bring yor own food if you wants to eat. Nice stroll alongs the canal, no dogs! Would trot heer againz. Two dew claws up!

since moving back from the bay area, places to walk and enjoy nature are few and far between…read more well, so i thought. as one of the few state parks to remain open year round due to the budget shortfalls of this state, great valley is an exciting and educational experience located off the 165 toward los banos. passing this refuge these past years without even stopping boggles me that I never did. driving through and between what seems to be never-ending native grasslands makes me appreciate the fact this park is part of the very few, native areas existing in the area and California. when people first hear i am from the great central valley, responses teeter between a cringe worthy squint of the face or a response such as "i'm sorry". well, I AM sorry that you're short sighted and not too knowledgeable about the area aside from what you seem to know exists in the great valley. while growing up in the valley, i have had the luxury of the merced river running through the town and just a few miles from the farm where growing up we shot videos and drank in the dark to avoid the canal banks where we always got our high school parties busted. adding the joy of observing bird flocks cruising overhead during migration season makes knowing the area a great destination for bird watchers. i believe i'm sorta lucky. the past couple of these years, on a whim, i decided to pull over to gander and enjoy the beauty of the great valley grasslands. i must agree with patrick d. (though find some offense in his yokel statement but believe me the sport hunters who are offered most of the open space deserve such titles); wonderful on the no-entry fee, but that those areas that are inaccessible to the general public seem much more exciting then the 1.5 mile automobile route (hint: i never go on auto, it is much more pleasurable to go for a run or walk on this path) because I have had the luxury of coming across a pack of black tail deer, jackrabbits and even once (twice seen on one visit) a rather large male coyote and a couple snakes. aside from the inaccessible area (i suggest just to keep going past the no cross zone) you'll see birds overhead and flocks nesting in the wetlands. unfortunately, most of the area is marked off for sport hunting (disgusting if you ask me; such a white man's "sport") while the rest of us only get the opportunity for the aforementioned 1.5 track. it is definitely a place very dry during the summer months (I suggest going on those non-public routes to get near flooded areas to see avian wildlife) but even more gorgeous when the rain season comes around (also disgusting hunting season) because it's an opportunity to see a variety of migrating birds. all in all, a great place to visit for the day to get fresh air on a walk, a run, or if you're american lazy, keep yourself locked behind the wheel to enjoy nature (somehow that concept seems rather odd; to sit in a car for a five-minute safari-like moment).

At least there wasn't an entry fee. The public access seemed to be the hang-out area for the local…read moreyokels, as well as their beer can dumping grounds. The areas that aren't exactly accessible looked good from a distance. You're better off doing any wildlife viewing from the road. No services at this park, at least not where I was when I went in.

We made a quick stop here in the heat of the day last week. The wetland was dry, so not many birds…read morearound, but I bet this place is full of birds in other seasons! I walked the wetland trail a bit, but it was very hot so I didn't spend much time. We unfortunately did not know there was a visitors center and we never saw one. Definitely bring binoculars and look for birds especially when it's not summer!

Bird loop was good but so windy. Many egrets and grebes. Visitor center is closed on Sunday but…read morethere is a bathroom outside

Beautiful park with a playground and several benches that have BBQ's. This park has a huge center…read moregrass area for throwing together a neighborhood soccer game, football or if you just want to fly a kite!!

This park is a hidden gem for families with young kids and even older kids. It has a clean and well…read moremaintained playground, and a large field for activities such as ball games, flying kites, etc. The neighborhood where it's located is quiet, serene and clean. Lots of street parking is available on Paulson Rd. just next to the park.

We love this park. While it is a little older than some others in the area, I feel like it's a…read morereally great playground for littler kids. My two year old loves it!

Nice playground and walking trail around the park. It looks like the playground is currently fenced…read moreoff for a renovation.

Sooo many ticks n spiders everywhere. It definitely needs a huge clean up. And a like shave down bc…read moreof all the wood

Great park to come visit. The ducks were the highlight for me but they have restrooms not the most…read morecomfortable but if you need to use the restroom there is one. Tables to bring a picnic which is awesome and a park for the kids to play at. All in all a great park

There's so many good things happening here!…read more - toddler pirate ship - rope climbing - impressive larger play structure - grass fields - across from nice walking paths for mom - really nice covered picnic tables - clean and well maintained The only downfall to this park for me was that it didn't have a bathroom. It also didn't have swings but we didn't miss them. We loved playing and hanging out here, and between the park, and walking down the walking path to Central Park, we burned 4 hours of the day which was just what we needed.

This park is legit!! My kids could play here for hours. We were visiting the Great Wolf Lodge in…read morenearby Manteca and stumbled upon this park before check in. While there is no bathroom, it's an absolutely epic play structure with three stories flanked by another climbing structure and an awesome pirate ship. There is also a huge grassy area. Would return!

Love this park, we have such a great time there! It is a great place for kids. There are a lot of…read morefamilies out there just having a great time. The community is very welcoming.

A nice-sized neighborhood park. It seems there is a walking trail with some adult exercise…read moreequipment too. Some picnic tables with a shade covering. The choice of the playground equipment by the developer is a strange mix. Not really for older kids and to advanced for toddlers and younger kids to use. Great rubber tiles under the equipment though!