Places to Camp ~ Mayflower Park, California

**** 4.1 stars/5 per reviews {I agree!}

Call a minimum of 24 hours ahead for 

reservations ~ 1-800-234-PARK (7275)

Mayflower Park and Campground is part of the Riverside County Parks system and is a hidden jewel of a campground.  Right on the Colorado river with a boat marina providing access for canoes, kayaks and fishing boats, it couldn’t be easier to float, paddle or motor your way up or downriver.  There are fees for fishing and launching of watercraft payable at the main kiosk as you enter the park.  

The campground itself has 152 roomy RV sites (140 water and electric RV sites ~ with a separate dump station available for use as you leave the park; 12 full hook~up sites) and another 27 additional dry tent camping sites available to campers.  We arrived just after dusk so mosquitoes were out.  Keep that in mind if you come in the fall before the cold kills them off and bring plenty of bug repellant for the evening time.  A good campfire will help ward off insects, too. 

By morning, though, the pests were replaced with just lovely cool fall weather and the pleasant smell of freshly-cut alfalfa breezing in from nearby farm fields.  I took this bug-free opportunity to check out the river while walking my dog and spotted small bass and trout looking for their morning feed in the cobblestones lining the launch ramp.  

A gentle slope affords people with walking limitations easy access without fear of falling. Grooves in the pavement help prevent slipping.  My knees are beat up from old sports injuries and I found it easy to walk down and back up.

The best feature of Mayflower’s campsites ~ eucalyptus and other trees provide much needed shade for those hot weather months.  Park staff and camp hosts were friendly and the park is well maintained.  Definitely a place to return to in the future when we have more time to play!