Camping near Fall River Lake

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

    "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

785 Reviews of 217 Fall River Lake Campgrounds


  • 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

  • A
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Indian Flat RV Park

    Great site

    If Traveling with kids make use of their fire pit and roast marshmallows

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Evergreen Rd Dispersed camping

    Great little spot to boondock

    Firstly, the spots aren’t actually on Evergreen; they’re on an easily missed dirt road near Aspen Valley Rd. There are two spots at the end of the very short road - each with a fire pit and ample space. There’s tons of dead/dry wood around for fires. It’s close to the road but there isn’t much traffic and it’s very close to the Yosemite entrance.

  • Raymond M.
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Top of Arnold - FR 5N56 Dispersed

    This place is real camping

    This campground was the best campground that I’ve been to in a long time take note that this is real camping so there is no bathrooms. There is no running water. There is no showers not for the week but for the real man not recommended for women in small kids, but absolutely amazing and beautiful place. Be sure to obtain a fire permit from Cal fire and check fire restrictions in the area have a bucket full of water and a shovel next to your fire at all times again this place was amazing

  • Laura The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Glory Hole Recreation Area

    Pretty and quiet

    Easy to find, there was no one but my spot was labelled with the tags. Facilities are clean but the shower was cold, at best lukewarm. The lake's water was too low for a swim though :( sad

  • D
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Mariposa Fairgrounds

    Huge campground on the way to Yosemite

    Nice big campground on our way to Yosemite. Its a self check-in, first come first serve campground. However, we have been welcomed by the very nice and friendly host, who told us everything we needed to know. Restrooms and shower are quiet clean and the Wifi is extremely good.


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.