McConnell State Recreation Area — Attraction in California

Nice, family oriented park. Nice section of shallow, calmly flowing water that's pretty clear, about calf deep where your little ones can play without worrying about going under the water easily. They have several picnic tables and bar bq pits or areas along the water where you can set up your own picnic. They have several bathrooms, shower rooms and even offer camping. Overall a nice place to let your kids have fun in the water while you relax and enjoy the weather. **SIDE NOTE The lady working the gate on the afternoon of May 15, 2022, was being annoyingly extra and not very compassionate or understanding of the fact that my daughter and I had never been there before and was there a way to resolve the fact that we pulled up to the gate and there was a sign that said NO MORE PARKING inside the park! She explained to me that if I did Park off of the premises, on the side of the Orchards, like several other people had did that our car could possibly be towed! I also asked her if there were any other outdoor water places near the area and she did let me know of a few options but who wants to drive an additional 30 minutes to somewhere else. In the meantime I noticed four to five vehicles had left the park. So I brought that to her attention to see if that would make a difference but to no avail! So then I asked her would it take longer than 30 minutes for enough cars to leave for us to gain entry, because I'm really not trying to have my car towed. And her response was, yeah it's going to take longer than that. So after 3 or 4 minutes of conversing with this lady with an anxious 9-year-old ready to swim with me I made a u-turn, left the gate Hugo park on the side of the road next to the Orchards. After about 10 minutes of pondering I decided to risk having my car towed so that my daughter could have a good time. We gathered our things and proceeded to walk back to the gate entrance. As we are approaching the entrance walking, another car pulls up as well, and I noticed the lady now moving the cones to allow cars to come in! REALLY! So now I'm genuinely irritated but I keep my composure and respectfully say to her, if I walk back to my car may I now drive into the park? Then she says, oh sure I'll let you in. Me and my daughter turned around went back to my car and drove back to the gate ! So from the initial time that we arrived up to this point, about 15-20 minutes at the most had passed. Not to mention that this occurred between 5:30 and 6 p.m. and the park closes When the Sun Goes Down! Who denies a child the opportunity to have a good time? I'm just glad that we never let someones unwanted energy stop us from having a good time! Because that is what we did and will continue to do. Hope to see you there having a...

I wish to leave a mixed review. In terms of natural beauty there is nothing to complain about, the campground host was most friendly and helpful. In term of natural area pretty it was a wonderful experience.We stayed for one night and a large 5th wheel after a long day we just saw the sign and went towards it. AT this point as a sidebar I have to criticize the California DOT. We saw a nice informative sign on Highway 99 and took the exit towards lake McConnell. When we got up to the top of the exit ramp there was absolutely no information so in our 60-foot rig and truck we just took a stab at it at it went to the right which then we realized was the wrong way so we had to do a U-turn in the middle of a small town. I just don't understand why they have a wonderful sign out on the interstate and when you get to the top of the exit ramp why don't they have one there telling you which way to go. We had been up in the High Sierra boondocking for 7 days with a full tank of sewer and no water and we were finally ready for a little civilization meaning of full hookup. I figured we would go ahead and go to a campground so we could dump our sewer have a little electricity and some internet. I didn't really look at any details before arriving at the park but it was $30 per night. I asked the host if that included water and electricity and she said no we don't have any Services here. I said well can you at least direct me towards the dump station and she said we don't have that here. I said well I think I see a bath house over there you have showers right? She said yes so we settled in for the night and I know I feel spoiled but I had been looking forward to a little electricity Water and Sewer to take a break from my Excursion up in Yosemite. I said well we'll just accept it and it's getting on towards the dark and I'll just take a nice hot shower at least for $30 I can get a nice shower. Well, I walked over to the bathhouse and after paying $30 for kind of nothing I found out you had to put quarters in to get a shower so just kind of walked away a little down. Later I asked is there an access to the river where we can go to kayaking said no we really don't have that you can get to the river easily as there's not a boat ramp for proper access. So again trying to be nice I would say there's nothing bad about it it's just for $30 it's not they don't offer that much. I would say it's far better than a Walmart parking lot but the Walmart parking lot is free and they both offer the same services. Without being overly critical I would say it's still a nice set aside where people can go and enjoy but from an RV or perspective they...

First time camping here during July 2017. This place is very busy Friday-Sunday during peak season June-August. I recommend booking your campsite online early on. Camphost was very sweet and funny, and is at the entrance of the campsites. There is an overflow parking area by the group campsites. For one night it is $30 for a regular camp site. Check out time is 12pm. Driving area is narrow but not a problem with a regular car, but this place is not ideal for RV's.There are flush bathrooms and showers, showers are Quarter operated 3min for $1, 3 min & 3/4 $1.25 etc.. Camp host have quarters so if you need bill exchange she can help. When using these facilities at the end side of the campsites, use the one on the back side of the building they are more modern then the ones in front. Campsites have a wooden table and firepit with a small grill top. There are food storages used for the feral cats, squirrles and racoons that lurk around. There is a day use parking lot near the picnic area which have multiple picnic tables and grills. Further on is the river bank, no dogs are allowed on the beach. There are 5 tables under the trees, these fill up fast. The river is shallow currently with some deep areas. Unfortunately i decided to sit on the ground in the river and ended up with a handful of water bugs biting my legs and butt.. Lol so dont do this. There are underwater currents the deeper you go so be mindful of children. We seen many young stages of frogs by the shore, many insect species and even a lovely black widow with her many egg sacs(not near campsites). Also a few owls during the night, amd you can hear coyotes fighting off into the distance. Overall i will be coming back during off season to fully enjoy this place. Definetly a recommended...