Campground

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37%
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10%
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3.5

out of 5

11 Reviews

Reviewed Oct. 10, 2023

Nice Area When Empty

Sites are packed in tight. Def geared for tent camping although I was lucky enough to be here when it was dead empty and picked a good site for my 27’ toy hauler. Fire pits and picnic tables at every site. No idea where the water is at but didn’t really look. There is a nice dump station ($8 fee recommended.. pay station is at park entrance). Lots of deer and raccoons. Gas station with firewood not too far away (Lakeridge Inn Gas), and they have diesel. Boat launch and day use area only a short drive away. Just would not want to be here if it was busy.

SiteAcorn #40
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Tuttletown Recreation Area by Hunter P., October 10, 2023
  • Review photo of Tuttletown Recreation Area by Hunter P., October 10, 2023
  • Review photo of Tuttletown Recreation Area by Hunter P., October 10, 2023
Reviewed Mar. 23, 2022

3.5 stars

Area was very clean, lots of hiking options and access to the lake for fishing and swimming. My only issues were that the site was pretty small- we managed to squeeze a 4 person tent and a 2 person tent but anything larger wouldn't fit unless I wanted to be on a decent slope. The lake was also extremely low but thats not really anyone's fault. No hammocks allowed so if thats your sleeping method you'll want to bring a tent.

Site85
Month of VisitMarch
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  • Review photo of Tuttletown Recreation Area by Jordan L., March 23, 2022
  • Review photo of Tuttletown Recreation Area by Jordan L., March 23, 2022
  • Review photo of Tuttletown Recreation Area by Jordan L., March 23, 2022
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Reviewed Jan. 9, 2022

Cute spot

Good little spot, water dries up during the summer

Site147
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Tuttletown Recreation Area by Matt R., January 9, 2022
  • Review photo of Tuttletown Recreation Area by Matt R., January 9, 2022
Reviewed Oct. 25, 2020

Nice spot for a weekend

We camped out for 2 nights in spot 96 in the height of summer and just before all the fires started. New Melones was not a top destination but it was close to a very special place for us, Natural Bridges. Also, at the time of booking it was one of the few campgrounds accepting new reservations in this age of COVID. We selected spot 96 as it was the furthest from any other spot (situated on a bend and the only site on that part of the road for a while). It was something like 107 when we were setting up the tent and most of the day time but on the lake itself, the temperature was perfect. One thing to be aware of, most of the drive in camp sites, including ours, had absolutely no shade (including nowhere to hang a hammock).

The Good:

  • The view was amazing
  • The tent spot was level and clear of big rocks
  • All the campers abided by quiet time
  • It was so dark that I was able to do some great astrophotography
  • The location was a great step off point for adventure in Gold Country

The Bad:

  • The last campers in our spot left garbage everywhere. We filled up a large garbage bag before we could setup camp.
  • Some bathrooms were closed but port-o-potties were there instead (as if somehow that is more clean???)
  • The bathrooms that were open were disgusting
  • No camp host onsite while we were there

We don’t have a boat but the boat launch was pretty busy all day and the day use spots were packed.

All in all, Tuttletown wouldn’t be our first choice but we would go back - probably later in the season since we aren’t there for boating.

I was debating on 3 or 4 stars. Showing up in 107 heat and wanting to set up a tent but having to clean up that much garbage was a huge turn off and having bathrooms closed with no notice was also a disappointment. I know these things aren’t normal but more notice on facilities and finding ways to get this cleaned up first would be a start.

  • Review photo of Tuttletown Recreation Area by Scott R., October 25, 2020
Reviewed Oct. 19, 2020

Small campsites

Cute small campsites, kind of close to your neighbor. Not a lot of bugs which is always a plus when your near water, we went mid October and the weather wasn’t too hot or too cold. They have flushing toilets and coin operated showers with is nice, but the toilet situation near our campsite was questionable (site 62). Your not as close to the water as you would think looking at the map you need to drive a few minutes to the parking lot. But we found a nice private spot to dunk in the water. No electrical hook up. In some spots the hook ups are far, other sites they have them every few feet.

Near 39 is nice

Reviewed Sep. 29, 2020

Nice place during the Fall

We went at the end of September. It is very dry, the Lake New Malones was down quite a bit. We swam in the lake the water was great. However, we did not bother with the Kayaks. It’s really not a kayak lake more of a speed boat lake. The campground was good. We were in Acorn 065. The site was great, roomy and in a corner, I have to say it was one of the nicer ones. We had vault toilets close by but there was also flush toilets and showers not to far away. Not a lot of shade, I would not recommend going in the hotter months. The campground is easy to get to. No firewood for sale on site. You have to go to one of the local stores. Plan ahead if arriving late. When we came there was a PSPS so we were told on the second day that wood fires or charcoal fires would be allowed that day due to wind. Lucky their was a Walmart not too far away and we were able to grab a gas grill. :)

  • Review photo of Tuttletown Recreation Area by Amanda R., September 29, 2020
  • Review photo of Tuttletown Recreation Area by Amanda R., September 29, 2020
Reviewed Aug. 6, 2020

Beautiful location - needs some help

The location and weekend was amazing and beautiful. The 105 daytime temps were quelled by dunking ourselves in the lake and taking excursions to some of the other local wonders. We had a great view of the lake and the stars overnight were amazing. It was extremely easy to socially distance from others at all times.

We spent the weekend camped out here but when we arrived, our location was filled with trash. The previous occupants had left garbage strewn everywhere and a garbage bag that was torn into by the wildlife. We cleaned for about half an hour and filled a large black yard waste bag with garbage before we could start to settle in.

The other big issue is that the site says “all facilities are open” but in reality all the restrooms are closed and locked with a solution of putting portable toilets in front of the restroom areas. This is in no way better for dealing with bathroom needs.

Also, the camp host location was marked but no host appeared or was available. The rangers drove by maybe 6 times total.

Be aware when coming here that many sites do not have shade or places to set up hammocks.

Don’t let my negative points turn you away, many of these things were going to be situational and we would love to go back (just not in the midst of a heatwave like that).

  • Review photo of Tuttletown Recreation Area by Scott R., August 6, 2020
Reviewed Aug. 1, 2018

Tuttletown, near Sonora CA

Beautiful surroundings.

Very nice with lovely views of the lake and the facilities were clean. Coin operated showers as well. Fishing areas were easy to get to and we watched numerous people enjoy water sports on the lake.

Site120
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Tuttletown Recreation Area by Debbie R., August 1, 2018
  • Review photo of Tuttletown Recreation Area by Debbie R., August 1, 2018
  • Review photo of Tuttletown Recreation Area by Debbie R., August 1, 2018
  • Review photo of Tuttletown Recreation Area by Debbie R., August 1, 2018
  • Review photo of Tuttletown Recreation Area by Debbie R., August 1, 2018
Reviewed Jul. 29, 2018

Campground with nice clean facilities

Camped there in October of 2015. Water level in the New Melones Lake was quite low at that time and it is kind of an off-season time to visit this recreation area so campground was not crowded at all. Each site is well spaced in between. Roads within the recreation area were very good and facilities including toilets and showers were very nice and clean. Water was available at campground. We could not see the lake that clearly because of the trees around the campground, but overall it was a good experience at this place.

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Tuttletown Recreation Area by Mon M., July 29, 2018
  • Review photo of Tuttletown Recreation Area by Mon M., July 29, 2018
  • Review photo of Tuttletown Recreation Area by Mon M., July 29, 2018