Brannan Island State Recreation Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brannan Island State Recreation Area |
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 Brannan Island State Recreation Area
Location in California
Brannan Island State Recreation Area
Location in the United States
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| Location | Sacramento County, California, United States |
| Nearest city | Rio Vista, California |
| Area | 329 acres (133 ha) |
| Established | 1952 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Brannan Island State Recreation Area is a fun state park in California, United States. It protects a network of waterways in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta. This park is located in Sacramento County. You can find it between the towns of Rio Vista and Isleton. The park is northeast of San Francisco Bay. It has many islands and marshy areas. These areas are home to lots of wildlife. The park also offers many chances for outdoor fun. You can go boating, windsurfing, and swimming here. This 329-acre park first opened in 1952.
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What to Do at Brannan Island
Brannan Island State Recreation Area is a great place for outdoor adventures. There are many activities for visitors of all ages.
Fishing and Wildlife Watching
The park is a popular spot for fishing. You can try to catch many kinds of fish. These include striped bass, sturgeon, catfish, bluegill, perch, and bullhead.
Near the park, you can explore Frank’s Tract. This is a protected wetland marsh. It's home to many animals. You might see beavers, muskrats, river otters, and mink. It's also a birdwatcher's paradise. About 76 different kinds of birds live there.
Another wetland area is Delta Meadows River Park. It's near the town of Locke. Park rangers from Brannan Island also manage this area. You can even reserve canoe tours of 'the meadows'. These tours are offered on weekends during spring and fall.
Camping and Picnics
Brannan Island State Recreation Area has great facilities for visitors. It has a six-lane boat launch ramp. This makes it easy to get your boat into the water. There are also over 140 campsites. You can stay overnight and enjoy nature. The park also has special areas for picnicking and swimming.
Visitor Center and Day Use Areas
The park's visitor center is open on weekends. You can also visit by making a special arrangement. Inside, you'll find displays about the Delta's history and nature. There's a large interactive map of the San Francisco Bay Area and Delta. It helps you learn about the region.
There are several areas for day use. Windy Cove is a popular spot for windsurfing. The Ramadas area has a group picnic spot. Seven Mile Slough also has a picnic area. The group picnic facility and Seven Mile Slough day use area close at sunset. Windy Cove closes at the time posted at its entrance.
Seven Mile Slough Picnic Area
The Seven Mile Slough picnic area has picnic tables and barbecues. Drinking water is also available. New restrooms were built in 1997. They have flush toilets and outdoor cold showers. The swim beach at Seven Mile Slough has lifeguards. They are on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day. There's plenty of parking close to the beach.
The Ramadas Picnic Area
The Ramadas have shaded picnic structures. These include large barbecues, picnic tables, water, and trash cans. A big grassy area is next to the site. It's perfect for playing games. The closest restroom to the Ramadas is north of the swim beach. It's along Seven Mile Slough.
Delta Climate
The weather in the Delta region is usually mild. In winter, temperatures are often between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer temperatures usually range from 75 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes, a heat wave might push summer temperatures to 100 degrees or more. But the "Delta breeze" is usually nearby to cool things down.
