McConnell State Recreation Area

Like the other Merced River Parks, McConnell has a lot of shade. It’s also a bit more developed than Hatfield and further from the highway.

If I were to pick a Merced River park in the Valley to camp at, this would be it.

Location

8800 McConnell Road, Ballico, CA

Distance from Merced: 22 miles

Distance from Los Banos: 35 miles

Size: 74 acres

Facilities and activities

• Flush restrooms

• Drinking fountainsCampgrounds/group campground with BBQ grills/fire rings, hot showers

• Picnic areas with tables and BBQ grills

• Group picnic area

• Swimming area

• Dogs allowed? Yes

• Horses allowed? No

• Hunting allowed? No

Fishing or boating?

Fishing can be good at McConnell Recreation Area.

Rainbow trout and bass can be caught in the spring; catfish and perch throughout the year.

No boating ramp is provided, but it is possible to swim in the river or to launch a float tube or hand-carried boat.

Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=554

and http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/554/files/McConnellHatfield.pdf

Nearby parks

Undeveloped Great Valley Grasslands State Park has a six mile hiking trail.