San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge

Category: Wildlife refuge

Address: 2714 Dairy Rd, Vernalis, CA 95385, USA

Phone: +12098263508

Opening hours

Sunday: 5:30AM–5PM

Monday: 5:30AM–5PM

Tuesday: 5:30AM–5PM

Wednesday: 5:30AM–5PM

Thursday: 5:30AM–5PM

Friday: 5:30AM–5PM

Saturday: 5:30AM–5PM

Reviews

Victoria Sparks

Dec 13, 2021

Great place to walk the dogs, but watch out for ticks, thoroughly check your dogs (and your friends) when you leave. Beautiful at sunset.

Di G

Jul 27, 2021

Very calm place to take a hike. Don't forget your camera, water, walking shoes, and especially your mosquito repellent. Those critters are savages in those neck of the woods.

Samantha Holdaway

Jul 1, 2021

There are several interconnected trails to walk down. It’s a very easy hike. Tons of rabbits. Not much else wildlife wise. Saw a couple little birds but not very active today. Drive slow on the Dairy rd on the way in, lots of squirrels and birds in the road. Only one other person was there while I was there, it’s very peaceful and nobody is out there. The only thing that ruined it is there are tons of low flying planes come over. They’re loud and distracting.

Benjamin Grover

Sep 19, 2020

This is great and so close to Tracy. There is ample parking and no entry fee. It has never been crowded. BRING BUG SPRAY. There were a lot of mosquitos. There were a lot of birds out to see and plenty of shade. I’ll be going back to see more.

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Questions & Answers

Are the restrooms open?

Larry Springfield | May 15, 2021
Marie Fox | May 16, 2021

Yes they are open

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It says closes at 5pm. Does it actually close, like you can't get in? It would be nice to go for evening walks

Emily | May 15, 2021
Mic Quin | May 16, 2021

They do have the big bars (gate) that they close at the entrance to prevent cars from entering refuge

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What are the months when the geese are there? everytime I go there are no geese!

Sky Ucci | Mar 16, 2022
Siera Nystrom | Mar 17, 2022

Geese are here Nov-early March, and are best viewed from the viewing platform on Beckwith Road, but they can be distant. The best place to see geese is at Merced NWR, Nov-early March.

Is the refuge a drive through? Bringing an elderly person that has difficulty walking

Amy M | Aug 18, 2021
Di G | Aug 19, 2021

Unfortunately the refuge is not a drive through. The walkway consists of dirt and small rocks which may be challenging even for an individual in a wheelchair.

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Are the snow geese there yet?

Joyce Mousseau | May 15, 2021
Phillip Cox | May 16, 2021

We saw her a few weeks ago when we were there.

Are dogs allowed?

Rachel Mohammad Smith | May 15, 2020
Larry Springfield | May 16, 2020

Yes on a leash and please remember to pick up after your pet.

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How much does it cost to get in

Rob Apodaca | May 16, 2019
Bernadette Ferea | May 17, 2019

Nothing.

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Can you fish there

Rob Apodaca | May 15, 2020
Jesus Perez | May 16, 2020

No

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Anyone fish here on the river?

Alberto Lopez | May 15, 2020
Juan Pablo Vazquez-Enriquez | May 16, 2020

No fishing at this location.

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Can you ride dirt bikes / go karts around here

Raul Sandoval | May 16, 2019
Dan H | May 17, 2019

No. It is wildlife refuge. Hiking only

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is there an admission or parking fee

Ali Gibson | May 16, 2018
Carl Tigner | May 17, 2018

Nope its free

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Is fishing allowed

Randy Mortensen | May 16, 2018
Chris Vosburg | May 17, 2018

Pretty sure there's no fishing it's a wildlife refuge

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are there picnic tables to eat lunch

Sally Jones | May 16, 2018
Jared Borba | May 17, 2018

About 2 tables is all I saw. Theres no BBQ or stoves allowed.

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Are there picnic tables

Sally Jones | May 16, 2018
William Winter | May 17, 2018

I think there is, but for sure there's observation benches to check out the wildlife and the floura, hope that helps...

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