Camping near Fall River Lake

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Campgrounds near Fall River Lake, California include a mix of established facilities like Tuttletown Recreation Area, Glory Hole Recreation Area, and Lake Tulloch RV Campground. These areas accommodate a range of camping styles from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV sites, with some locations offering cabin rentals and glamping options. Most developed campgrounds provide basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, while certain locations like Angels Camp Campground and Yosemite Pines RV Resort feature additional conveniences including showers, water hookups, and dump stations.

Summer temperatures in this region frequently reach triple digits, making spring and fall more comfortable for camping. Many campgrounds remain open year-round but experience varying levels of crowding and water conditions depending on season. Several camping areas provide access to New Melones Lake, though water levels fluctuate significantly throughout the year. Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend stays during peak summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. A camper noted, "We stayed here for 2 nights in spot 96 in the height of summer. New Melones was not a top destination but it was close to a very special place for us, Natural Bridges."

Campground experiences vary considerably across the region, with several visitors highlighting the quality of lake views and access. Sites at Big Oak campground receive positive reviews for their size and privacy, with certain locations offering excellent lake vistas. Campers frequently mention the cleanliness of facilities at Tuttletown Recreation Area, though some note issues with maintenance and trash at certain sites. Shade availability is limited at many campgrounds, making early season visits preferable. A review observed, "Sites are packed in tight. Definitely 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." Wildlife sightings, including deer and raccoons, add to the camping experience in this region, while dark skies provide excellent stargazing opportunities away from city light pollution.

Best Camping Sites Near Fall River Lake (217)

    1. Tuttletown Recreation Area

    11 Reviews
    Jamestown, CA
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 536-9094

    $150 / 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."

    2. Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina

    10 Reviews
    Fall River Lake, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 881-0107

    "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."

    3. Glory Hole Recreation Area

    7 Reviews
    Angels, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 536-9094

    $18 - $22 / 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"

    4. USBR Gloryhole Rec Area Big Oak Campground

    5 Reviews
    Fall River Lake, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 536-9094

    "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."

    5. Angels Camp Campground and RV

    5 Reviews
    Angels, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 736-0404

    "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."

    6. Acorn Campground

    28 Reviews
    Valley Springs, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 772-1343

    $20 / night

    "A good clean campground, popular in central California. Reasonably priced $20 per night."

    "The lake has receded quite a but that one of the docks is about 100 yards from the actual lake now (California drought). The campsite was well maintained."

    7. Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging

    23 Reviews
    Groveland, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 962-7690

    $24 - $439 / night

    "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."

    "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."

    8. Ironhorse- Glory Hole Area - New Melones Lake

    4 Reviews
    Fall River Lake, CA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (209) 459-7290

    "This site is right on the lake, the bathrooms were clean. It was pretty busy but the spaces are far enough apart that it wasn’t super loud even in a tent."

    9. Mother Lode Fairgrounds

    3 Reviews
    Sonora, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 532-7428

    "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."

    10. North Grove Campground — Calaveras Big Trees State Park

    23 Reviews
    Arnold, CA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 795-2334

    $25 - $70 / night

    "I think this is my favorite California State Park. It is situated in the Calaveras Big Trees Giant Sequoia Grove."

    "Pros - you are in the middle of the Sequoias, near hiking, kayaking, etc. Beautiful river nearby; pretty easy in and out for small-ish RVs. Hard to beat the location."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 217 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Fall River Lake

790 Reviews of 217 Fall River Lake Campgrounds


  • lance L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 1, 2025

    Rancho Seco Recreation Area

    Nice lake and rv park

    Great Lake for paddle boarding and some fishing. Rv site was nicely groomed with drainage rock. Not perfectly flat but that is fine. No shade during the day. But over all a nice park and pretty quiet.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 28, 2025

    Indian Flat RV Park

    2 Night Stay

    Honestly an amazing place to stay, coming in November most camps are either closed or have reduced amenities but this place was still at full capacity. Hot showers, a bar, shop, WiFi and swimming pool all available. It’s also really easy to get too and only 30 minutes away from Yosemite .

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 26, 2025

    Dos Reis County Park

    Basic with full hookups (30amp)

    Great spot with spacious, private sites. Covered picnic tables and fire pits. Trails to hike and bike

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 18, 2025

    Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes

    Lots of close campsites

    Not alot of room between campsites, literally on top of each other. Bathrooms are late but not kept up. Men’s didn’t have one toilet stall working (there are only 2) and women’s one sink was out of order. It does have hook ups so that’s a plus. Neat a river and a big lodge. This is probably ok for most people. We prefer a little space between campsites and there’s zero here.

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 11, 2025

    Top of Arnold - FR 5N56 Dispersed

    Deep woods, close to town

    A very secluded primitive site that is only a couple miles or less to town over paved and dirt roads. The roads are not four-wheel drive and are perfect for van lifers. I would not pull a trailer of any kind up here. Or a vehicle with low clearance. Deep in the woods surrounded by forests and undergrowth nice flat spots to park and set up camp. 2 to three bars Verizon no facilities of any kind. There are a few random fire pits. This area is closed in the winter due to snow but is the perfect weather during shoulder seasons, not too hot not too cold.

  • Lawrence M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 8, 2025

    Jackson Rancheria RV Park

    Casino rv park

    Clean, concrete pads,excellent customer service, shuttle every 20 minutes to casino

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2025

    North Grove Campground — Calaveras Big Trees State Park

    Very well maintained campground

    Very clean, maintained campground. Flush toilets, and showers available (tokens required). Our visit was late fall so not crowded at all. We were able to change to a more level campsite when we arrive - staff were very accommodating. Bear boxes, large picnic tables, clean fire rings, and water at each site. We are planning to return for a longer stay to hike through the Sequoia groves.

  • Lisa Marie L.
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Gold Country Campground Resort

    Peaceful and clean campground

    We really enjoyed our weekend here. Super clean and quiet. Lots of play areas for kids and pets allowed. Clean bathrooms full hookups too


Guide to Fall River Lake

Camping near Fall River Lake, California, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes. One camper mentioned, "We ended up moving spots to have more space and better Starlink reception," highlighting the great hiking opportunities nearby.
  • Fishing: Head to Lake Camanche for some fishing fun. A visitor shared, "We love it at this lake," emphasizing the enjoyment of fishing in the area.
  • Wildlife Watching: At Indian Grinding Rock State Historical Park Campground, you can spot deer and turkeys. One camper noted, "Plenty of wildlife to see in the day use area as well."

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Campers at Acorn Campground noted some issues with cleanliness. One review stated, "Bathrooms are a problem for cleanliness," so be prepared for that.
  • Crowded Weekends: If you plan to visit Lake Camanche, be aware that it can get busy. A visitor mentioned, "Got very crowded on the weekend."
  • Road Noise: Campers at North Grove Campground reported some noise from the highway. One review noted, "Some road noise from Hwy 4, trucks going by were sometimes pretty noticeable."

Tips for camping with families:

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookup Availability: If you're staying at Yosemite Lakes RV Resort, make sure to confirm your site has the necessary hookups. A camper noted, "We are in a 45 ft toy hauler and taking 120 up here was an ok drive."
  • Arrive Early: For a better chance at a good spot, especially at Lake Camanche, one visitor advised, "Kinda a hassle, but it worked out. We love it at this lake."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: RVers at Woodward Reservoir mentioned that weekends can be busy. A review stated, "Expensive but kept up very well on the smaller camp sites."

Camping near Fall River Lake, California, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Fall River Lake?

According to TheDyrt.com, Fall River Lake offers a wide range of camping options, with 217 campgrounds and RV parks near Fall River Lake and 9 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Fall River Lake?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Fall River Lake is Tuttletown Recreation Area with a 3.6-star rating from 11 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Fall River Lake?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Fall River Lake.

What parks are near Fall River Lake?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Fall River Lake that allow camping, notably New Melones Lake and New Hogan Lake.