Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area
🏆🏆 Sacramento River Oasis — Valley oak woodland campground on the Sacramento River with salmon fishing
Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area preserves a magnificent stand of valley oaks along the Sacramento River near Corning in the northern Sacramento Valley. The park provides river access for fishing (chinook salmon and steelhead in season), swimming, and kayaking beneath one of the finest valley oak canopies remaining in California. The mature oaks — some estimated at 300+ years — create a cathedral-like shade canopy over the campground.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Corning, CA (Sacramento Valley) |
| Entry Fee | $8 per vehicle |
| Fishing | Chinook salmon, steelhead (seasonal) |
| Trees | Ancient valley oaks (300+ years) |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is salmon season?
Fall chinook salmon run September through November. Steelhead run winter through early spring. Check California DFW for current regulations, seasons, and report card requirements.
Can I see salmon from the bank?
Yes — during the fall run (October-November), Chinook salmon up to 40 lbs swim upstream past Woodson Bridge. Watch for jumping fish or dark shapes in the shallows. The Sacramento River supports the largest remaining Chinook salmon run in California — but numbers have declined dramatically from historical levels.
🐟 Visit Woodson Bridge SRA
Sacramento River — salmon fishing under 300-year valley oaks.
About Woodson Bridge SRA
Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area preserves a magnificent valley oak riparian forest along the Sacramento River in Tehama County. The grove contains some of the largest valley oaks in California — trees over 300 years old with canopies spanning 100+ feet. The park is also a critical stopover for migrating Chinook salmon.
Things to Do
Camping beneath ancient valley oaks (46 sites), fishing for salmon (fall) and steelhead (winter), birdwatching, and canoeing on the Sacramento River. The riverside nature trail passes through cathedral-like oak forest. One of the finest riparian forests remaining in the Central Valley.
Insider Tips
Sacramento River: Woodson Bridge provides camping and fishing on the Sacramento River — California’s most important salmon river. Pro tip: The old-growth valley oak riparian forest here is one of the last remnants of the vast riverside forests that once lined the Sacramento. Salmon spawning: Fall-run Chinook salmon swim past the park on their way upstream to spawn — you can sometimes see them jumping in the river.
Best Time to Visit
Fall: Salmon run (October-November) and comfortable weather. Spring: Green canopy and bird migration. Summer: Swimming and tubing on the river. Winter: Bald eagles hunting salmon along the river.
Wildlife & Nature
Woodson Bridge SRA — on the Sacramento River. The area’s river, riparian forest, and valley oak woodland support Chinook salmon, bald eagles, and river otters. A critical salmon spawning area.
Nearby Attractions
Corning — nearby — the “Olive Capital of the World”. Tehama County — surrounding.
Park Location
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