George J. Hatfield State Recreation Area is a small California state park on the Merced River in Merced County, about 20 miles south of Modesto in the San Joaquin Valley. Established in 1953 after George J. Hatfield donated the land to the state, it preserves 46.5 acres of riverside landscape in a region known more for agriculture and broad valley terrain. Its significance lies in its native riparian habitat, where trees and water attract wildlife, especially birds. Rather than offering large facilities, it serves as a modest public access point for simple river recreation, including swimming, fishing, and picnicking.