## Overview

 Acorn Campground is a sunny campground in the brush-covered hills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The area is generally characterized by a warm, dry climate with summer temperatures regularly soaring above 90 degrees.With sites just a short walk from the shores of the popular New Hogan Lake, visitors will have no problem finding relief in the comfortable clear waters.
## Recreation

 Boating is a popular pastime, with boat ramps conveniently located around the lake. The large surface area allows for plenty of water skiing, wake boarding, jet skiing and more. Year-round fishing for stripers, bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish is perfect for experts and beginners alike. Some of the largest fish are found in less than 25 feet of water. The \"River of Skulls\" hiking trail is located below the dam at the Monte Vista Recreation Area. There is also a staging area for an eight mile equestrian trail on a scenic loop that winds along the lake and through the foothill chaparral. Trail guides are available at the park office. Bicycle trails suitable for the beginner as well as the advanced rider are found on the west side of the lake and next to the group camping area. An easy 3-mile trail connects the park office with Acorn Campground. Hunting with bow or shotgun during the open season is permitted in certain areas of the lake. Upland game such as turkey, quail and dove is available and waterfowl includes a variety of duck and geese.
## Facilities

 Acorn Campground offers 128 spacious campsites with modern amenities such as coin-operated showers and accessible flush toilets, as well as drinking water, an important part of staying hydrated in the summer sun.
## Natural Features

 The 4,400 surface-acre lake was created in 1964 with the completion of New Hogan Dam. When full, the lake has 50 miles of shoreline and extends nearly eight miles upstream to the confluence of the north and south forks of the Calaveras River. The dam was built to provide flood protection to the city of Stockton and water for irrigation, drinking and hydroelectric power, and it now offers recreation opportunities for thousands of visitors each year. The New Hogan area supports a wide variety of wildlife. The foothills location is home to grey fox, mule deer, coyote, turkey, mountain lion, bobcat and rattlesnakes. New Hogan is also a wintering home for bald eagles. The south shore of the lake has been designated as a wildlife viewing area. 
## Nearby Attractions

 A number of historic sites are located nearby, including Carson Hill, the discovery site of the largest gold nugget ever found, and The Black Bart Inn, located in San Andreas, where the famous outlaw Black Bart was captured. Groceries, gas, camping supplies and more can be found in the nearby town of Valley Springs, California.

Acorn Campground

This is a large campground with sites generally well spaced apart, you don’t feel right on top of your neighbors. Lots of site variation, so do your homework or be flexible, you might get an amazing lake side spot with a view, but not enough room for a tent. Great amenities, including flush restrooms and showers, and firewood available for purchase onsite. 

Even without a boat or any lake toys we had a lot of fun hanging on the shore and letting the dogs swim, and even took a dip ourselves. The town of Valley Springs is ~5 min away by car, and has a great little grocery store and a fun run down ice cream shop among other restaurants, etc. 

Fun Lake Campground

Acorn Campground is great for tent and RV camping. Warm weather so great for swimming. Good for fishing, boating (they have a launch), kayaking, paddle boarding and you can bring bikes and scooters for the kids.

Swimming fun

This campground is great if you have a boat or jetski, as you can moor your boat close to your site. There are working bathrooms and showers, not the height of luxury, but fairly clean, and you might find a cute little frog sharing your shower with you! I was here in July of 2019, and it was hot! But the lake is fantastic and the campsites are big which provides plenty of room for shade structures, my site had enough trees for a hammock and shade. 

Overall, not the most luxurious place, no resort type amenities, but a great place to camp, especially with lots of family.

Great Campground!

Our family has been here many times because it’s tradition since my husband was a kid. It’s gorgeous if we’ve had a year of rain.
 Usually pretty quiet but bathrooms are always a disaster. 

Many years at Hogan

My experience has always been good ones for the few  times I’ve been there. Always a good time with friends and also the rangers checking. Clean bathrooms and also the spots to camp.

Acorn Campground 

My first time towing my Airstream into a campground and I was glad the place was deserted. Not one single other camper. It got even more smoky the next day.  I appreciated the water at the site. The lake really low, like all lakes in Cali.

Solitary and Smokey

We stayed here for a weekend on a whim in September, and there were a good amount of sites to pick from.  We had a view of the lake and some shade at our site, and it was relatively quiet, so we were happy.  The lake level was pretty low.

Good times

Nice views of the dam, and overall the campsite was solid. If you can get a site along the water absolutely do it! You get some nice views, and it’s very relaxing. 

Nice spot off the 5

**General:** 132-site Corps of Engineers campground on New Hogan Lake. No hookups. 

  

**Site Quality:** Varies. Most are back-in, but some are pull-through. Most sites are generous in size, providing some privacy. More than a few are not level (do not pick Site 107 if you need anything close to level!). We had reserved Site 80 but ended up taking Site 100. Pads are all paved but narrow; large RVs might be challenged navigating these driveways. A picnic table, lantern hook, fire ring, and grill complete the site. 

  

**Bathhouse:** They really could use some TLC. No soap or towels and not all the showers were functional. I chose not to try the functional one as it had seen better days!

  

**Activities:** We saw several boats on the lake and there is fishing. Not sure about other activities as we just enjoyed relaxing at our campsite by the lake! 

  

We were there on a Thursday in early May, and it was fairly quiet. No ranger or other camp host that we saw. However, on the weekends and in the summer, it looks like it would be a much different story (but we prefer the off-season!). Yes, the bathrooms may have been janky, but who are we to complain when it costs just$10 (with the Golden Access Pass). Beware of goose poop– it is everywhere! And while you definitely won’t hear road-noise, you will hear honking geese!

Peaceful stay on a weekday in May!

There was no formal check-in system to the campground, and finding the location of campgrounds 120-130+ was confusing because of the signage. Otherwise, a very serene lake and good site. 

Has a fire pit and a small cooking stand, a pole with a hook on it for tents and tarps, and the bathrooms were pretty decent, with showers. Maintenance cleans the bathrooms and restocks them every morning.

Great location but confusing checkin

This campground is through recreation.gov.  There are water  faucets at various places throughout the campground.  There are flush toilets and showers but the sinks in the men's restroom had no running water.  The campground was relatively empty on the one night we stayed, (a tuesday).  We drove through the campground checking out the campsites several times before choosing one we liked.  Many of the campsites are on a terrible slope.  I don't know how a tent camper could keep from rolling down the hill in the knight. There were picknik tables and fire rings.  There is not much to do but stay in your camp and enjoy whatever you bring with you. I will post photos.

Just a place for the night

I stayed for 12 days and they treated me like a criminal 