Knights Ferry is an unincorporated historic community and census-designated place (CDP) in Stanislaus County, California, United States.

Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, it is about 30 miles (48 km) east of Modesto on the Stanislaus River.

The Williams Ranch near the town was one of many filming locations for the television series Bonanza and Little House on the Prairie.

When gold was discovered in California in 1849, Dr. William Knight rediscovered a place which he and John C. Fremont had previously found to be a favorable river crossing, and established a ferry boat there.

Soon, the ferry boat prospered and Knight and Captain James Vantine built a hotel and trading post near the crossing.

After Knight's death, Vantine operated the ferry alone until he formed another collaboration with John and Lewis Dent, whose sister Julia married future U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant.

This recreation area includes a "put in" location for Class I-II rafting trips on the Stanislaus River.