Goodwin Canyon

Travel Info for the Goodwin Canyon

Meet Place for Goodwin Canyon Trips

Knights Ferry Recreation Area - South Parking Lot
18229 Sonora Rd
Oakdale, CA 95361

Note: If you plan to use a GPS navigation system or online mapping service, please use in conjunction with the driving directions we provide below.

Meet Time: ______________

All-Outdoors Goodwin Canyon trips usually meet between 8:00 am & 9:00 am, but keep in mind that meet times may vary. Please refer to the information sent to you in your Trip Confirmation email, check with your group’s organizer, or contact our office. Plan to be on time; guests that arrive late may miss their trip.

Driving Directions to Goodwin Canyon

Take Hwy 120 to the Knights Ferry / Stanislaus River Park turnoff (11 miles east of Oakdale and 30 miles west of Sonora). Travel 1/8 mile on Kennedy Road to Sonora Road. Turn north on Sonora Road and travel 1/4 mile. The paved parking lot we use is on the south side of the river and east side of Sonora Road (across the street from another dirt parking lot). Look for signs for "Knights Ferry Recreation Area, South Parking Lot / Covered Bridge Parking". Turn into the parking lot and make the first left where you will be greeted by All-Outdoors guides. If you have crossed the river and/or reached the Visitor Center on the north side of the river, you have gone too far.

We encourage you to print and use our driving directions and not rely strictly on GPS navigation. GPS / cellular service is limited to nonexistent in outlying areas.

Map

Driving Distances and Times to Meeting Place From:

San Francisco: 110 mi/ 2 hours
Sacramento: 90 mi/ 1.5 hours
San Jose: 108 mi/ 2 hours
Walnut Creek: 90 mi/ 1 hr 45 min
Los Angeles: 350 mi/ 6 hours
Angels Camp: 34 mi/ 45 min

These are approximate mileages and driving times and do not take into account any delays or stops. Please allow a little extra time to assure correct arrival time to the meeting place. Thank you!

Accommodations

Hotels and B&B's

Best Western Plus Rama Inn
Oakdale (209) 845-2500 or
(800) 780-7234

Located 15 minutes from the AO meet place, this hotel features a free EV charging station, indoor heated pool, hot tub and spa. Breakfast included. Adjacent is a popular local Mexican food restaurant.

Holiday Inn Express:
Oakdale (209) 847-9121
or (888) 465-4329

Located 15 minutes from the AO meet place, this hotel has an outdoor pool, fitness center, and includes full breakfast.

Campgrounds

Lake Tulloch Campground & Marina:
Jamestown (209) 881-0107

This campground is located on Lake Tulloch, just above our put-in area and about 15 minutes from the AO meet place. Accommodations include tent and RV sites, plus lakefront cabins (some with private docks).

Local Information

Surrounding Attractions

The Stanislaus River Park draws nature lovers of all types year round. Swimming, fishing, hiking (and whitewater rafting!) are popular draws to the parks. Visitors interested in local information and history should make a point of seeing Knights Ferry and the US Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center (209) 881-3517.

Knights Ferry boasts one of the few remaining historic covered bridges in California. At 330 feet, it is the longest covered bridge west of the Mississippi River. It is closed to vehicular traffic, but open to pedestrians and is a favorite subject for photographers.

At the north end of the bridge are the remains of the Tulloch Mill and the restored mill office. First operated as a flour mill in the 1860's, at the turn of the century it was converted into one of California's first hydroelectric plants. Portions of the old underground penstock used to transport water to the generators can still be seen on the hillside behind the mill office.

Upstream from the bridge are the concrete ruins of a dam built in the 1880's and used to collect and divert water to turn the mill's waterwheel.

At the end of the covered bridge you will find a hiking trail that is a favorite with visitors. The trail is across the river from the site of the Taken Rancheria where Native Americans displaced by gold rush settlers found refuge more than a century ago. Bedrock mortars, where Indians once ground acorns, are visible if one looks closely. The trail also leads to some sandy beaches, enticing swimming holes, and some favorite fishing spots along the river.

Come for the whitewater, and stay for the surrounding attractions!

River Conditions
(Real Time)

Real-time, up to the hour flow information is available for the Goodwin Canyon on our Updated River Conditions page.

Local Weather

The important thing to remember about the weather in the Sierra Foothills is that it can change on short notice. It is always best to be prepared for any kind of weather situation.

Seasonal patterns do exist. In April and May, days are generally breezy and warm (60-70 degrees). Nights can be in the 50's; generally cooler during the earlier spring trips. The summer months are usually hot and dry (85-100 degrees). Night temperatures can range from the low 60's to the low 70's.

Even though these patterns exist, it is not uncommon to get a 90 degree day in May and a breezy, rainy day in June or July. It is always important to bring sun protection and cold weather gear to the river. You can decide which is most appropriate once you have arrived.

Goodwin Canyon Knights Ferry, CA

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