6 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Tuttletown Recreation Area's pet-friendly sites include a range of accommodations for both tent and RV campers with designated pet walking areas throughout the property. The campground maintains clean facilities with coin-operated showers and flush toilets for campers traveling with dogs. Camping sites are well-spaced apart providing adequate room for pets, though some visitors note the tent sites can be small with limited flat space for larger tents. Several visitors report the park rangers are exceptionally helpful and accommodating to campers with pets. Dogs must remain on leash at all times within the campground boundaries, and pet waste stations are located near bathroom facilities.
Dogs can access the lake shoreline at designated areas, though the water level varies seasonally and may be quite low during summer months. Numerous hiking trails surround the campground where leashed pets are welcome, including the Carson Creek Trail and Gold Rush Trail—both offering easy terrain and lake views perfect for dog walks. The campground's proximity to Angels Camp (about 10 minutes away) provides access to veterinary services and pet supply options if needed. Wildlife including deer and raccoons are common in the area, requiring careful management of pet food and waste. Many campers note the evenings can be quite hot during summer months, so bringing portable shade structures for pets is advisable when the tree cover is limited at certain sites.
"With a pool, petting zoo, a corral where they have a fire and s'mores followed by a movie, this is a great place to camp with the kids."
"Not located in the Yosemite Park (we made that mistake). 20-30min drive to Yosemite Park. Very cute and quiet spot.
Trails around camp grounds, petting zoo for kids."
from $24 - $439 / night
"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."
"New Melones was not a top destination but it was close to a very special place for us, Natural Bridges."
from $150 / night
"Showers and bathrooms aren't working but otherwise a great place to camp. been going to the nearby Tuttletown camp for showers and working bathrooms while they work on Gloryhole."
"The lake's water was too low for a swim though :( sad"
Available this weekend
from $18 - $22 / night
"The only downside is that the park closes at 8:00 pm so we had to sleep behind the entrance until 4:00 am when they opened the door again. A Fire ring and a bench available at each spot."
"Sites were a good size and were tucked down a slight hill from the road which was great for privacy. Bathrooms were kept very clean and well stocked."
"You feel like you're in the middle of nowhere but you're so close to things. Directions are easy to follow, leveling is required but there were pretty good lots."
"It was a bit hard to find in the dark, but the camping area is fenced in under an oak grove so eventually we found the stump with our name on it next to the tent."
Available this weekend
from $30 - $89 / night
"We were lucky to have a spot at the dead center of the top of the mountain looking out at the lake (site 13) with a big shade tree."
"There are sites on the lake with shade provided over the tables. It was mid week and was not crowded at all. The lake is gorgeous and at night there were several deer walking thru the site."
"At the junction of Hwy49 the “Chain of Gold” and 108 outside Yosemite National Park. Daily/weekly rates. Short walk to downtown in this 1850’s mining town."
"Super nice, close to the bathrooms. There's a community outdoors kitchen with stove and sink. Small hiking trail that had some horse nearby that cam and said hi to us. Will definitely be coming back."
"Close to lots of cute towns and wineries."
"I particularly like winters when few are around. The sites are spacious and clean. You will have to level."
"It is about a 45 minute drive from the Campground into Yosemite via Hwy 49 / 120. The sites are spacious and clean. We went in April and during the week so the campground was not crowded at all."
"There is no visual of the river there, but it is a very short walk to get to the picnic area where you have full view."
"Watering holes on campgrounds and around the area like Cherry Lake, Rainbow Pools and Gods Bath! California is full of beautiful wonders and this little gem in Stanislaus Forest is one of them!"
ScoutThe helpful Ranger guided me to camp site 7 by the river and it was a beautifully tucked spot just a short walk, which was close to the parking and bathroom. I love hearing the sound of the water as I sleep so if that’s not for you then you know.
ScoutNo overnight camping, day use signs in parking lot
TravelerI travel and like to use a tent at rv parks when possible. This park is small, quiet and has very soft ground for staking. The site map says G1 and G2 tent sites have 30amp but I did not find it at G2. All outlets available go to the RV side.
GuideThis place was packed on a Saturday in November! We ended up parked in the lot. No cell service for ATT. Would've been really nice if we had gotten an actual site. We saw there were tables and fire pits at the sites. We didnt use the bathrooms but they were there as well as a dumpster.
GuideWe stayed on iron horse loop site 12. The site was okay. There was a paved pad and then a steep downhill walk to the picnic table and fire pit. Our site was not ada friendly though others appeared to be. The fire pit was positioned oddly far from the site so much further I thought it wasn't ours. Bathrooms were okay pretty clean but no paper towels or hand dryers. We didnt use the showers. The views from our site were okay. Definitely sites with better views at the campground.
TravelerReduced winter options. Only east camping sites in the back are open. Only 1 dumpstation is open before 63 & only Fiddlehead boat launch operational. 90% of sites are seriously unlevel, some at very severe angles. Scattered water spigots do not allow for any hose connection. No sites have electricity. Sound carries EXTREMELY well so you will hear your neighbor, their kids, their dogs, their music, generators, etc all day/night. Rangers are hands off & not helpful if called for any reason. Bathrooms are clean but original & showers are timed/button operated with low shower heads so tall people will need to contort themselves. POSITIVES Lots of wildlife & sunsets viewable from dock area by 71 are beautiful. Can use America the Beautiful passes as it is a Core of Engineer maintained park making it $10/night for max of 14 nights.
ScoutThe Perfect Combination of Camping and Convenience! I'm 69 years old and an avid tent camper, but I absolutely loved staying at Housekeeping Camp in Yosemite! We kept things incredibly simple. We literally brought one ice chest and a plug-in coffee pot! With electrical outlets in both the kitchen and sleeping areas, we had everything we needed to make coffee in the morning and put together picnic lunches for our adventures. For those who enjoy preparing their own meals, Housekeeping Camp is well set up for that, too! There's a dedicated cooking area with a counter for food preparation and a picnic table for dining. You can easily bring your camp stove, cooking utensils, and supplies and enjoy cooking all your meals right at your campsite. We enjoyed breakfast and dinner at the various restaurants in Yosemite Valley, which meant we could devote our days entirely to hiking, sightseeing, and enjoying the beauty of Yosemite rather than worrying about cooking and cleaning up. In the evenings, we relaxed around a wonderful campfire. For someone who genuinely loves tent camping, Housekeeping Camp offered the best of both worlds. We still had that wonderful feeling of being outdoors and camping, but without all the work of setting up and taking down a campsite. Now, let's be clear: This is definitely not glamping! There is dirt, and the accommodations are rustic. But frankly, there's a lot less dirt and hassle than traditional tent camping! The key is simply having the right expectations. If you're looking for luxury, this probably isn't your place. But if you love the outdoors, want to spend your time exploring Yosemite, and appreciate the simplicity of camping without all the work, Housekeeping Camp is a fantastic option. I would absolutely stay here again!
GuideThe campground is very accessible and therefore can feel busy at times (visited in October). It has flushable toilets and the general store is less than 10 min away by car. The campsites are rather close to each other, so don’t expect a lot of privacy. Our site (88C) was right in front of the restrooms, which have floodlights on all night and would not recommend. Overall, it’s a pretty good campground!
Scout$50 a night for full hookups, and WiFi
Tent and RV camping areas near Campo Seco offer diverse experiences between 1,200 and 1,800 feet elevation in California's Gold Country. Sites around New Melones Lake and Don Pedro Reservoir provide water-based recreation with hot, dry summers where temperatures frequently reach 90-100°F. Fall and spring months offer more moderate camping conditions with cooler nighttime temperatures.
Hiking accessible trails: Carson Creek Trail and Gold Rush Trail at Tuttletown Recreation Area provide lake views and easy terrain. "Lots of hiking options and access to the lake for fishing and swimming," notes Jordan L. Some trails include steep sections during seasonal drought when "the lake was extremely low but that's not really anyone's fault."
Fishing from shore: At Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina, the shoreline offers multiple fishing spots. "The lake is gorgeous and at night there were several deer walking thru the site," reports Melissa B. Day use areas provide dedicated fishing access with boat launch facilities nearby for those with watercraft.
Swimming in reservoirs: New Melones Lake at Glory Hole Recreation Area provides cooling relief during summer months. Kayla M. shared: "The view was gorgeous, and there were a lot of hiking trails to choose from." Water levels fluctuate seasonally, with late spring typically offering optimal swimming conditions before summer drawdown.
Spacious camping areas: Sites at Big Oak Glory Hole Area provide ample space between neighbors. "Sites were a good size and were tucked down a slight hill from the road which was great for privacy," Joshua H. observed. Campers appreciate that "The campground is quiet and the scenery is amazing this time of year."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-serviced restrooms even during busy periods. "Roads within the recreation area were very good and facilities including toilets and showers were very nice and clean," reports Mon M. about Tuttletown Recreation Area. "Water was available at campground."
Wildlife viewing: Natural settings attract diverse wildlife. At Lake Tulloch, Katie K. noted: "Deer are fearless & majestic, several 'packs' walked through our campsite all throughout Sunday night when everyone else was gone. They walked up to us to smell our campfire & our food." Morning and evening hours provide best wildlife observation opportunities.
Summer heat considerations: The Gold Country region experiences intense summer temperatures. At Moccasin Point Campground, Tammy H. advises: "Bring bug spray, the mosquitoes are very hungry." Sites with shade are highly sought after during peak summer, when temperatures regularly exceed 100°F.
Bathroom availability varies: Facility maintenance schedules affect campground amenities. Scott R. at Tuttletown Recreation Area noted: "Some bathrooms were closed but port-o-potties were there instead." During peak season, campgrounds may face maintenance challenges with Hunter P. reporting that "Lots of deer and raccoons" are common visitors.
Site selection importance: Campground topography affects tent placement and comfort. Jordan L. explains: "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." Arrive early for better site selection opportunities.
Lake-based activities: New Melones Lake provides water recreation for various ages. At Angels Camp Campground and RV, families appreciate the "pool, horseshoes, playground" with John G. noting: "East side of CG seems to accommodate more for families with kids while west side is better for RVs."
Pet-friendly considerations: When camping with dogs and children, select sites with adequate space. "The tent sites were right on top of each other and there was nowhere to park," warns Suzanne P. about one campground, highlighting the importance of researching site dimensions when traveling with pets and family gear.
Seasonal planning: Spring visits offer moderate temperatures ideal for family camping. Lori T. recommends: "We liked this campground enough to come back a second time in two weeks. The campground was a little busier than last visit, but surprisingly empty during the week." Early spring often provides wildflower displays along hiking trails.
Dump station access: RV campers should note dump station locations and fees. Hunter P. mentions: "There is a nice dump station ($8 fee recommended.. pay station is at park entrance)." Plan water usage accordingly since not all campgrounds offer full hookups.
Leveling requirements: Many sites in the foothills require leveling equipment. "We were lucky enough to be here when it was dead empty and picked a good site for my 27' toy hauler," Hunter notes about Tuttletown. Sites near lake shores often have more level parking areas than those on hillsides.
Reservation timing: For pet friendly camping near Campo Seco, California, secure reservations well in advance during peak season. William S. observes about Iron Horse campground: "Not bad a little warm most of the time," which is typical for summer months when RV sites with hookups fill quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Campo Seco, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Campo Seco, CA is Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging with a 3.8-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Campo Seco, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 141 dog-friendly camping locations near Campo Seco, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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