Rancho Seco Nuclear Power Plant and Park in South Sacramento County

Towering 300’ into the sky in south Sacramento County are the Rancho Seco Nuclear Power Plant’s twin cooling towers and Rancho Seco Park, complete with swimming, fishing and camping in a pristine setting. Just 25 miles from both Stockton and Sacramento, the old nuclear plant is worth a visit and the park’s amenities will bring you back for recreation throughout the year!

The300' tall twin nuclear cooling towers are visible from miles away 

The containment building that housed the nuclear reactor on left, with the cooling towers at right

An aerial view of the nuclear plant, from SMUD web site

Rancho Seco Lake, and Park, with the cooling towers in the distance

Nuclear plant: Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) bought the property in the 1960s, and built the nuclear plant, which went on-line in April, 1975. In March, 1978, a power failure in the plant’s instrumentation led to a steam generator ‘dry-out’, a precursor, had other failures followed, to a nuclear near melt-down like the Three Mile Island nuclear plant on the east coast.

After operating at a reduced capacity until 1989, a public vote lead to the closing of the plant. It was decommissioned and the nuclear equipment was removed. Today, a gas-powered plant produces electricity on the same lines that the nuclear plant used; nearby SMUD has also developed solar-generation facilities. At about the same time, a Stanislaus County nuclear plant was proposed by PG&E, but was cancelled in 1979. Over 60 US nuclear plants were cancelled in the late 1970s, as public confidence in their safety reached a low point.

Rancho Seco Park: The 160 acre Rancho Seco Lake was developed as an emergency source of water for the plant; today it is a stunning public park, offering swimming, fishing, hiking, bird-watching and camping. A nice public beach offers warm-weather swimming, while fishing goes on year-round (sunfish, catfish, trout are found in the lake, and non-motorized boats are welcome).

The nearby Howard Ranch Trail and the Amanda Blake Memorial Wildlife Refuge are the latest additions to the park. The trail offers a seven mile hike in rolling valley foothills while the refuge offers superb viewing opportunities to see geese, hawks, ducks, blue heron, occasional bald eagles and migratory birds in the winter months.

Camping on the lake shore offers 25 tent sites and 18 RV sites with electric and water hookups. Plenty of picnic options, including group picnic sites, are available throughout the park. Near the park recreation room, WiFi access if also offered!

Getting there: Rancho Seco Park is located at 14440 Twin Cities Road, in Herald, CA 95638; from either Interstate 5 or Hwy 99, go east on Twin Cities Road.  

For more information: Call 800-416-6992 for park info; or see the web site, www.smud.org/en/about-smud/community/recreational-areas/rancho-seco-lake.htm. For additional weekend getaway destinations, see http://LittlePlacesIKnow.blogspot.com!