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$30 - $40 / night

$30 - $40 / night

Camper submitted image from Lake McSwain Recreation Area - 1

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Camper submitted image from Lake McSwain Recreation Area - 2
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Established Camping

Lake McSwain Recreation Area

11 Reviews

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Lake McSwain Recreation Area, near Snelling, California, is a welcoming campground that offers a blend of relaxation and outdoor activities. With options for tent camping, RVs, and even glamping, there's something for everyone looking to unwind by the water.

This campground is known for its clean facilities, including free warm showers and well-maintained bathrooms. Visitors have praised the friendly staff and the overall cleanliness of the sites, making it a comfortable place to settle in after a day of fishing or hiking. One camper noted, “There are free warm showers and the bathrooms are fairly clean,” highlighting the amenities that keep guests coming back.

For those who enjoy fishing, the lake is a beautiful spot to cast a line, and the on-site store has essentials to make your stay easier. The campground also features picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for gathering around the campfire and sharing stories. As one happy camper put it, “Love to come and relax, throw a couple of poles in and have a good time.”

While some campers have mentioned that the sites can feel a bit cramped, the overall atmosphere is friendly and inviting. Whether you're here for a weekend getaway or a longer stay, Lake McSwain Recreation Area provides a great backdrop for outdoor adventures and quality time with family and friends.

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Location

Lake McSwain Recreation Area is located in California

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

37.52175905 N
120.30293667 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Cabins
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • WiFi
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • 30 Amp Hookups

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Drive Time

Reviews

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

73%
10%
0%
19%
0%

4.5

out of 5

11 Reviews

Jenna A.
Reviewed Mar. 30, 2022

Amazing stay

We have stayed here many times now in the off season. There’s great trails, fishing and very friendly staff. The sites are clean and operational and everything is explained well prior to your stay.

SiteA4
Month of VisitFebruary
e
Reviewed Mar. 14, 2022

Overall great experimce

This is my second time staying here and I’ve really enjoyed it. There are free warm showers and the bathrooms are fairly clean. If you are staying in a tent make sure to layer up and bring lots of blankets because nights can get very cold. It’s also a nice place to fish and the on-site store is a plus.

SiteC10
Month of VisitMarch
Angie H.
Reviewed Mar. 6, 2022

Great hospitality!

My family and I stayed at Lake McSwain Campgrounds for a weekend during a mountain bike race at Exchequer. We showed up with our 24' trailer on Friday, and even though it was February, they brought on staff to get us all checked in since it was so busy because of the race. There was a short line to get in to the campground, but we didn't wait long and the staff was helpful and friendly. The site was a good size for two trucks and the trailer. The site was not too close to the water, not too far. The bathrooms had showers which we used since our site didn't have a sewer hookup. The site did have water and power though. The marina isn't normally open in February, but they opened due to the volume of campers that weekend. They stocked up on the basics and even had hot coffee and breakfast burritos in the morning and sandwiches at lunch. On Sunday, we moved over to a full hookup site and it was level and felt private. We camped next to some friends and stayed up around the campfire and made smores. The kids rode their bikes around the campgrounds alllll day. They had a blast! Thanks, MID!

SiteD2 and G16
Month of VisitFebruary
Everyday P.
Reviewed Aug. 2, 2021

How does it have 5 stars?!

This Campground has lots of potential. We expected a cleaner site for $40 a night. Really just a cleaner campground in general. Our site had lots of trash at it. Like Chewing Tobacco, old empanadas, cereal, etc. But it had some positives. Like the store, Lake and splash n dash. But it seems like the money you pay goes to there cabins not the campground. Cell service was spotty. Rangers were nice but they didn’t know what they were doing even though the clearly had experience. Overall the campground just needs some TLC

SiteC11
Month of VisitAugust
ProfG999
Reviewed May. 26, 2021

I didn't stay. Can't believe it has 5 stars!

I guess if you stayed on the water it might be nice but the campground itself was pretty bad. 1st they have blocked any phone signal so even with my WeBoost I could not work from here. 2nd the flies were horrible. 3rd my site was across from overflowing trash can. 4th the hookups are on the wrong side so you can't back in where you should. The photos on their website are very deceptive. They shot them so your site looks close to the water but it's not. If there's a problem there is no one you can call. I was tired, it was late, and I had to leave and drive down to Merced and sleep in Lowe's pkg lot. 2 stars because I emailed them, and they did give me a refund. I guess if you're local and this is all you know.....

Site12
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Lake McSwain Recreation Area by ProfG999 , May 26, 2021
  • Review photo of Lake McSwain Recreation Area by ProfG999 , May 26, 2021
  • Review photo of Lake McSwain Recreation Area by ProfG999 , May 26, 2021
Richard W.
Reviewed Aug. 2, 2019

So relaxing

We love McSwain. It is our go to camp ground in the area. It’s close, clean and friendly. It’s our thanksgiving weekend every year. Great place

Brenda J.
Reviewed May. 23, 2019

Nice little campground, beautiful lake

Pretty dry in the summertime, lots of foxtails, so be aware if you have fur babies. Flies were a bit of a problem. The lake was beautiful and refreshing. Would come back again but maybe early spring. Our campsite was set up a little backwards. The picnic table and bbq and hookups were on the oppisite side of our trailer door. But only noticed this at our site.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Lake McSwain Recreation Area by Brenda J., May 23, 2019
Showing results 1-11 of 11 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to camp at Lake McSwain Recreation Area?

Camping at Lake McSwain Recreation Area can cost between $30.00 and $40.00 depending on the site.

Does Lake McSwain Recreation Area have RV hookups?

According to TheDyrt.com, Lake McSwain Recreation Area has 30 amp electric hookups, water hookups and sewer hookups.

What is the max vehicle length at Lake McSwain Recreation Area?

Lake McSwain Recreation Area allows vehicles up to 55 feet.

Are fires allowed at Lake McSwain Recreation Area?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Lake McSwain Recreation Area, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Lake McSwain Recreation Area have wifi?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Lake McSwain Recreation Area does have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Lake McSwain Recreation Area?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is unknown.

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