It’s not often you get a chance to get in on something from the very beginning.

Imagine purchasing a single share of stock in the Coca-Cola Company when it first went public back in 1919. A century later, with dividends reinvested, that one $40 share would be worth $12.75 million.

Nature enthusiasts can get a nice return on their investment in California’s newest “product” in the state park chain.

Dos Rios State Park, located between Modesto and Patterson about 20 miles from the 209’s western boundary, is the first new state park to open in more than a decade. It’s young, still growing and likely will look a lot different when it reaches maturity.

“The park has been planted in different stages, beginning in 2015,” said Caitlin Torres, an interpreter for seven parks in the state system, including Dos Rios. “Some of the planting locations have not yet reached maturity. Over time, it will grow thicker and denser inside the floodplain.”

Manmade structures will add to the park’s growth spurt.

“We’re going to be adding a boat dock for non-motorized watercraft in the next few years,” said Park Manager Paige Haller. “And we’ll also be adding fishing platforms during that same time period. We’re in the permitting process right and that takes time.”

Campgrounds are another feature a few years down the road.

“We have to see public input before a final decision can be made on fixed recreational campgrounds,” said Haller. “We’re required to have a general plan before we can make any improvements, and we’re currently creating that plan. If folks come down and visit, we’d love to capture any information they’d like to contribute to the general plan. Our vision for Dos Rios is a park built by the people, for the people.”

Right now, the park offers two self-guided tours. One is a 3.66-mile out-and-back trek that takes hikers to the confluence of the Tuolumne and San Joaquin rivers — hence, the name Dos Rios (Spanish for Two Rivers). The other self-guided hike is half the distance, and takes you around the park’s pond. Along the way, you might even see some river otters or evidence of the North American beaver.

“You probably won’t see the beaver since they tend to be nocturnal,” said Torres. “But it’s not unheard of to see the otters.”

Birding is also one of the park’s drawing cards. 

“You have the opportunity to see all kinds of different birds,” said Haller, mentioning egret, blue heron, red-tailed hawk, and even an old barn owl that lives in some nearby farm equipment.

The out-and-back and the pond-loop hikes can also be guided by park personnel, such as Interpreter Julian Morin, who will take hikers off the beaten path a bit to see Valley Oak trees, some of which are believed to have been here hundreds of years before anybody reading this article arrived on the planet, and likely will be here hundreds of years after anybody reading this article has vanished from it.

Regardless of which type of hike you fancy, park personnel at Dos Rios are glad that 209 residents are able to get in on the ground floor of a unique state park.

“Absolutely,” said Torres. “I think that this park is so special in its uniqueness as a restored floodplain. And since that’s the direction California is going, it’s exciting to be able to open a new state park and write educational programs and share with the public the message behind restored floodplains. It’s a phenomenal story for us to share.”

Haller said Dos Rios is a great way for locals to enjoy the beauty of the Golden State without having to visit a destination 100 miles away.

“It’s a natural escape not too far from our homes,” said Haller. “You don’t have to travel hour and a half for this kind of nature.”