Caswell Memorial State Park
28000 South Austin Road, Ripon, California, 95366, United States
Caswell Memorial State Park is a state park in California , United States, which preserves a riparian forest along the Stanislaus River. It is located in the south of San Joaquin County, southwest of the town of Ripon. Riparian Oak Woodland, located in this park, is under threat and the park is trying to protect it. It once flourished in the Central Valley of California. Caswell is also home to a number of endangered species. The park of 258 acres (104 ha) was established in 1952.
The average temperature is between 45–50 ° F (7–10 ° C) in the winter and between 85–100 ° F (29–38 ° C) in the summer. In summer, it is common to exceed 100 ° F (38 ° C) for several consecutive days. Caswell is home to a lot of mosquitoes.
This park was named after the landowner, Thomas Caswell. He enjoyed this beautiful forest, and he wanted to preserve it. In the 1950s, 134 acres (54 hectares) of this forest were donated by his children and grandchildren to California before it was opened to the public as a state park in 1958.
The park is situated along the Stanislaus River, near the town of Ripon, California. The park protects a fine example of the endangered and still declining riparian oak forest that once flourished throughout the Central Valley of California. Caswell is home to a number of endangered animal species, including the riparian brush rabbit, which is not known to occur anywhere else.
The native Americans who lived along this river and collected acorns from these ancient groves were Yokuts. At the beginning of the 1800s, Spanish explorers crossed this area, and fur trappers found the river bountiful.
Thomas Caswell, the landowner, enjoyed this magnificent forest and felt it should be preserved. In 1950, children and grandchildren donated 134 acres of land to the people of California. Additional donations and state purchases have brought Caswell to its current size of 258 acres. Caswell Memorial State Park was opened to the public in 1958.
Facilities and Activities
Several species of fish, including bass, catfish, crappie and more, are waiting for your most attractive fishing technique. Campfire programs, junior ranger programs and nature walks take place every weekend during the summer. Interpretive walks and talks for school, service and social groups are available through prior arrangements with park staff. The Stanislaus River flows through the park, with beaches and swimming areas near the day-to-day park and campground facilities.
One of the most magnificent aspects of the park is its seemingly endless nature trails. The trails allow a glimpse of what the riparian ecosystem of the valley would look like in pristine times. The majestic Oak Forest is surrounded by many other lush species of plants, some of which are rarely found anywhere else in the area.
The park offers a wide variety of wildlife views. While many of the wildlife species here are nocturnal and rarely seen, bird watching is a favorite amongst nature lovers. Red shoulder and red tailed hawks are often seen, along with dozens of other winged artists.
