10 campgrounds with availability this weekend
The foothills region surrounding Campo Seco, California features a mix of established campgrounds and recreational areas along the Stanislaus River and New Melones Lake. Campgrounds like Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina provide year-round access with full hookups for RVs, while Tuttletown Recreation Area offers more primitive camping experiences with tent sites and basic amenities. The area includes several mixed-use campgrounds that accommodate various camping styles from tent camping to RV sites with hookups, and some locations like Yosemite Pines RV Resort feature cabin accommodations and glamping options within driving distance of Campo Seco.
Seasonal considerations affect campground availability throughout the region, with many sites requiring reservations during peak summer months. "The lake level varies wildly throughout the year, sites that are right on the lake can end up being hundreds of feet from the lake if the water level is low. Early summer is the best time to go for high lake levels," noted one camper about New Hogan Reservoir. Water levels at Lake Camanche and other reservoirs fluctuate significantly based on California's drought conditions, sometimes leaving docks far from the actual shoreline. Most developed campgrounds in the area maintain vault toilets year-round, while shower facilities are typically available only at larger established sites. Cell service can be limited in canyon areas, particularly around the Stanislaus River corridor.
Campers consistently highlight the region's wildlife viewing opportunities as a key attraction. Several visitors mentioned deer sightings at campgrounds, with one review noting, "The wildlife was 'people friendly' to say the least. I had a family of deer pretty much monitoring my whole trip plus they couldn't seem to wait until I went to bed to come check out my camping gear." Fishing access represents another popular feature at many of the area's campgrounds, with the Stanislaus River and various reservoirs providing opportunities for anglers. Noise levels vary significantly between locations, with campgrounds closer to highways experiencing more road noise, while those nestled deeper in the foothills offer greater tranquility. The proximity to Gold Country towns provides convenient access to supplies and historical attractions for day trips from most camping areas.
"Only 5 minutes away from a small town for groceries. It is quite a drive to get to the actual locations in the Yosemite park from the campground."
"If you plan to go into Yosemite NP, it's a long drive so plan accordingly. Our family really enjoys Rainbow Pools and Yosemite Pine's proximity to Rainbow Pools is part of why we stay here."
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."
"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."
"It fills up at day, when people use the access to the lake. A bear visited me at night.
Had good cell service."
"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
Camping in the Campo Seco area occurs at an elevation of 900-1,200 feet in the western Sierra foothills, where summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F. This region borders the Stanislaus River watershed with its network of reservoirs that fluctuate seasonally. Fall and spring offer milder temperatures with daytime averages of 65-75°F, making these seasons preferable for tent campers.
River swimming access: At Tuttletown Recreation Area, visitors can enjoy the water when New Melones Lake has adequate levels. "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 that's not really anyone's fault," notes Jordan L.
Gold Country exploration: The Glory Hole Recreation Area serves as an excellent base for exploring historic mining towns within 15-20 minutes. One visitor shared, "The view was gorgeous, and there were a lot of hiking trails to choose from." Plan for early morning hikes during summer to avoid afternoon heat.
Animal viewing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer wildlife encounters right in camp. At Diamond Gulch, campers report, "We loved waking up to cows and turkeys, and an incredible sunrise view. There were such sweet little birds grazing nearby at sunset." Wildlife viewing is best at dawn and dusk when animals are most active.
Dark skies for stargazing: The relatively remote location of campsites like Big Oak Glory Hole offers excellent night sky viewing. According to one camper, "The view was amazing. It was so dark that I was able to do some great astrophotography." Stargazing is optimal during new moon phases when skies are darkest.
Riverside campsites: Lake Tulloch RV Campground provides sites with direct water access. "We spent one night right in front of the water, amazing view for the sunset. We went swimming in the lake: what a pleasure," notes Clara T. Water-front sites typically cost $10-15 more per night but offer immediate lake access.
Free amenities: Certain campgrounds include unexpected extras. At Diamond Gulch, a camper mentioned, "Having the tent already set up was so incredibly helpful as we had to rent a small car and needed to pack lightly. A clean portable toilet, sink, water hose were all helpful too. The campfire wood was perfect." These amenities reduce what campers need to bring.
Bathroom maintenance varies: Facilities at Yosemite Lakes RV Resort receive consistently positive reviews for cleanliness, but this isn't universal across all campgrounds. "The bathrooms that were open were disgusting. No camp host onsite while we were there," reported one camper at Tuttletown. Bringing sanitizing wipes and toilet paper is recommended.
Lake levels fluctuate drastically: Water levels at reservoirs can drop significantly by late summer. A camper at Big Oak Glory Hole noted, "Water level is down considerably." This affects both recreation opportunities and campsite aesthetics throughout the season.
Fire restrictions: During high fire danger periods (typically July-October), campfires may be restricted or prohibited entirely. "Although it is very close to the park boundary, it is still an hour to the valley," mentioned one Yosemite Lakes visitor, highlighting that driving distances to attractions may be longer than they appear on maps.
Look for structured activities: Some campgrounds provide organized events for children. "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," says Jeanette D. about Yosemite Pines RV Resort.
Playground access: Lake Tulloch offers family-friendly facilities. "The kids had fun playing at the playground, jet skiing, and making sand castles at the beach," reports Elisabeth. These amenities provide entertainment options when hiking or swimming aren't practical.
Cabin options for easier trips: For families new to camping, cabins provide a comfortable introduction. "Stayed in the basic cabin over Easter weekend a few years ago. We really enjoyed our stay and the property. Petting zoo animals were adorable," notes Jen U. about Yosemite Pines, where cabins typically cost $80-120 per night.
Site selection considerations: At most campgrounds near Campo Seco, reservation systems don't guarantee specific sites. "It is First come first serve (after a reservation) so get there early. We lucked out with a pretty big and shaded riverfront spot (site 73)," advises an RVer at Yosemite Lakes.
Hookup availability: Many campgrounds offer partial hookups only. "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," reports Hunter P. at Tuttletown Recreation Area, indicating that mid-week stays offer better site options.
Dump station access: Most campgrounds with RV accommodations provide dump stations, though not always included in the site fee. "There is a nice dump station ($8 fee recommended.. pay station is at park entrance)," notes a reviewer at Tuttletown. Using these facilities early morning (before 9am) typically means shorter wait times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Campo Seco, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Campo Seco, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 235 campgrounds and RV parks near Campo Seco, CA and 12 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Campo Seco, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Campo Seco, CA is Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging with a 3.8-star rating from 26 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Campo Seco, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 free dispersed camping spots near Campo Seco, CA.
What parks are near Campo Seco, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Campo Seco, CA that allow camping, notably Fall River Lake and New Melones Lake.
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