Mokelumne, California, US

Below Comanche Dam

Usual Difficulty	I (for normal flows)
Length	4 Miles

River Description

This run is just under four miles of class 1+ water that's easy to do twice within about four or five hours.  It's basically flat water with a gentle current, riffles, and broad turns.  The setting is lovely and very quiet.  Nice for a little floating picnic.

 

The run is plenty OK for canoeists beyond novice (that is, those who can control their boat in a manner timely and true).  It is also fine for skirtless hardshell kayaks, sit on tops, touring kayaks and similar recreational kayaks.     Paddlers should have some experience and be able to maneuver  in current to avoid trees and branches along the shore or in the channel. 

 

 

Takeout:   Stillman Magee Regional Park on Mackville Road, just north of Clements.

Information from San Joaquin County website.
Offering the last public access to the Mokelumne River before the city of Lodi, Stillman Magee features water rafting and swimming, picnic tables, barbecues and fishing at the river's edge.

 

 

Location: 23801 N. Mackville Rd., Clements. Click here for a location map.

Hours: Open daily (except Christmas) from 8 a.m. to sunset.
 
Cost: Vehicle entry fees are $3 weekdays, $5 weekends and county-recognized holidays. Vehicles over 22 ft. in length are $10.
 
Contact: (209) 953-8800 or 331-7400 (Parks office is located at Micke Grove Regional Park’s Memorial Building, across from Japanese Garden).

 

Coming from Sacramento:  Take Highway 99 south to Highway 12 East (which strikes 99 at the city of Lodi).  Travel on Highway 12 east (go left once you're off the freeway) about 11 miles to the town of Clements.  In Clements, turn left onto Mackville Road.  Proceed about a mile to the Mokulumne River bridge.  (The county park is just in front of the bridge on your left.)

 

Coming from Stockton:  Take Highway 99 north to Highway 12 East (which strikes 99 at the city of Lodi).  Travel on Highway 12 east (go right once you're off the freeway) about 11 miles to the town of Clements.  In Clements, turn left onto Mackville Road.  Proceed about a mile to the Mokulumne River bridge.  (The county park is just in front of the bridge on your left.) 

 

Coming from Placerville:  Take Highway 49 south to Highway 88 (which strikes 49 at the city of Jackson).  Turn west (right) onto Highway 88 and follow 88 until it runs into Highway 12.  Turn west (right) onto Highway 12 and drive about a mile to the town of Clements.  In Clements, turn right onto Mackville Road.  Proceed about a mile to the Mokulumne River bridge.  (The county park is just in front of the bridge on your left.)

 

 

Put in:  The fish hatchery at Mokelumne Day Use Area  near the base of Comanche dam.   From the take out near Clements, go east on Highway 12 about 3 miles to McIntyre Road.  Turn left on McIntyre Road and go about a mile to a little county park (which will be on your left).  Be sure to: (1) bear right at the "Y" intersection where Highway 88 splits off left from Highway 12 and (2) look for the big, brown "Fish Hatchery" sign (which is easier to see at McIntyre Road than the "McIntyre Road" sign).

 

 

Other Information Sources:

Parks Regional Facilities

http://sjcrcd.org/articles/MokP03.pdf.  City of Lodi general plan related to the Mokelumne River.

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