Water access at Lake Camanche shifts with the seasons and the drought cycle, and that variability shapes the entire camping experience. In wet years, sites closest to the lake sit right at the water's edge; in dry years, the walk to the shoreline can stretch to roughly half a mile, making a cart or wagon worth packing. The campground sits within campgrounds around Camanche Reservoir and is managed by East Bay Municipal Utility District, with full hookups available for RVs alongside tent sites set among trees that provide shade on some sites but not others.
Summer heat here is real. July and August temperatures push hard, and campers consistently note that shade depends heavily on which site you draw. The lake itself is the main relief, with water warm enough for swimming and calm enough for kayaking, boating, and fishing. As Larry W. put it: "Wicked August heat, BUT there's the lake." Weekdays run noticeably quieter than weekends, when the campground fills up. Cell service is spotty, with some reviewers getting a signal at Riverview sites and others reporting low coverage elsewhere.
The South Shore includes the Riverview area, where alcohol is not permitted and kayak launches are accessible directly from camp. A general store sits near the boat marina. Amenities include hot showers, laundry machines, and a trout pond. Rangers make regular rounds. Monument RV Park - Lake Camanche and Lake Camanche North Shore provide alternatives for campers who want different configurations around the reservoir.
Cleanliness has been an ongoing concern in reviews. Multiple campers report arriving to find trash left by previous occupants, and low water levels expose debris along the shoreline. Holiday weekends fill fast, with some regulars booking six months out for Fourth of July. Overflow parking is limited, and groups with more than two vehicles typically need to reserve an additional site to accommodate trailers and boats.
The campground is open year-round and stays quiet enough in winter that some campers have had the South Shore largely to themselves over Christmas. Reservations are available and recommended well in advance for summer stays. If the lake is drawing you out, plan around the water level and pick a site with shade.
Description
Lake Camanche Resort features 550+ tent camping sites spread out over hundreds of acres which are available year-round at both North and South Shores.
Many sites offer immediate lake access while others are just a short walk away. Campsite amenities include bbqs, tables, water, hot showers, restrooms and laundry facilities. Primitive sites are just a short drive away to restrooms & showers. Ask you reservation agent for which sites provide shade.
All of our sites feature some of California’s best natural and native species of trees, plants and flowers. Looking for alcohol-free camping? Both shores also feature alcohol-free campgrounds, perfect for those in search of a more family-friendly camping experience.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsLake Camanche is located in California near Wallace
Directions
From jct Hwy 88 & Hwy 12: Go 6-1/2 mi E on Hwy 12, then 3-3/4 mi NE on E Bay Mud, then 1/2 mi W on Pattison Rd (road changes to Camanche Rd).
Coordinates
38.219683643704606 N
120.92763712657715 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
- Verizon5GExcellent Coverage
- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 8/18/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
- Verizon5GExcellent Coverage
- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 8/18/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Market
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 47 min from Stockton, CA
- 1 hr 1 min from Sacramento, CA
- 1 hr 7 min from Modesto, CA
- 1 hr 41 min from Merced, CA































