George Hatfield Group Camp

Fishing

Making its way from the Sierras, the Merced is full of fish just ready to be snagged once they come around to the bend that encompasses George J. Hatfield SRA. Angling is a very popular activity at this site, as rainbow trout and bass are found in the spring with catfish and perch populating the river year-round. Make sure to check out the fishing report for some more in-depth information on angling opportunities. As always, be sure to snag that CA Fishing License before heading out.

Hiking

Hiking is a popular activity taken amongst visitors at George J. Hatfield, as it is a fantastic way to experience the beautiful trees, river, and nature that surround the park. There isn’t that much information on the specific trails in the area, but explorin’ is a fantastic way to spend your day while hanging out at this park!

Paddling

While high-powered boating is out of the question here, visitors can enjoy some relaxing rafting with any normal hand-carried boats. This is a great way to experience the Merced that surrounds the park, but remember that currents in low flow periods can be painstakingly slow. This means that an hour of paddling can result in only 1-3 miles of travel. But hey, we kind of like that, as enjoying this gorgeous nature shouldn’t be strenuous. Plus, floatin’ along the riverbank sounds pretty darn pleasant if you ask us.

Swimming

Anytime of the year we are always down to take a refreshing dip in the gorgeous Merced River, and George J. Hatfield SRA offers one of the best places to do so. Visitors love spending a day switching between sunbathing and floating in the river, and we honestly can’t imagine anything better. Battling the heat by swimming is a fantastic activity, but the park does ask that swimmers beware of deep holes and be safe as there is no lifeguard on duty.

Wildlife watching

Known for its abundance of trees and birds, George J. Hatfield SRA is a fantastic place for those who crave a commune with nature. Seriously though, this park is literally known for its trees. Valley oak, box elder, and cottonwood are the primary native ones that occupy the area, while sycamores, elms, and fruitless mulberries have been introduced. You can also find some awesome dense areas of native elderberries, wild grapes, and blackberries for your foraging pleasures. On the ground, an observant visitor might spot muskrats, cottontail rabbits, jackrabbits, or beavers and black-tailed deer if they are lucky. The real mammalian prize of George J. Hatfield, however, is the bird population. Boasting everything from common birds including valley quail, woodpeckers, robins, yellow-billed magpies, ring-necked pheasants, and several kinds of hawks to ducks, geese, and band-tailed pigeons during their migration, there is no lack of avian appreciation here. For some more comprehensive information, check out the park brochure.