Jamestown, California serves as a gateway to several campgrounds in California's Gold Country, with options ranging from lakeside RV parks to primitive tent sites. The area includes established facilities like Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina located directly in Jamestown, as well as nearby options such as Tuttletown Recreation Area near Sonora and Glory Hole Recreation Area in Angels Camp. Most campgrounds support both tent and RV camping, with several offering cabin accommodations for those seeking more comfort. The region's campgrounds typically feature amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to drinking water, while some provide full hookup sites with electric, water and sewer connections.
Camping in the Jamestown area remains popular year-round due to the mild climate, though summer temperatures frequently reach over 100°F. "We camped out for 2 nights in spot 96 in the height of summer and just before all the fires started. It was something like 107 when we were setting up the tent," noted one camper at Tuttletown Recreation Area. Most campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak summer months when water recreation draws visitors to New Melones Lake. Facilities vary widely between campgrounds, with some offering full shower houses and flush toilets while others provide more basic amenities. Road access is generally good with paved routes to most established campgrounds, though some sites may be challenging for larger RVs to access.
Waterfront access represents a major draw for campers in the area, with multiple sites offering views of New Melones Lake. A visitor to Ironhorse Campground mentioned, "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." Many campgrounds experience significant seasonal water level changes, particularly during drought years, which can affect swimming and boating access. Sites with shade are highly sought after during hot summer months, with early reservations recommended. Wildlife sightings, including deer and raccoons, are commonly reported in campground reviews. The mixed-use campgrounds in the region accommodate various camping styles, from those seeking basic tent sites to RVers requiring full hookup services.
$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."
$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."
$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"
$30 - $89 / night
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"Whip out your wallet and empty on it on the check-in desk of this thousand trails (or whatever) park."
"Our tent site was #311 and it was perfectly tucked in the trees with a stream alongside."
GuideStayed in this Campground for 2 days. They don't have a dog park and there's really nowhere for dogs to go the bathroom. Every time I went to go to the office there was a sign they'd be back in 15 minutes... The dump site I believe was an old camping spot with hose access. It's about 30 minutes from town if you need groceries and 30 minutes from the park depending on traffic. I personally would not stay in this park again.
ScoutTent camped, basic site , senior discount, about 20 per night.
TravelerEasy access parking site, great family lodge to spend cold days playing or watching videos. Great hiking trails to explore the area.
TravelerThe Road (CA 120) from Oakdale to the campground is steep, narrow and has a lot of close quarter turns for a 40 foot motorhome pulling a 20 foot dual axle open car trailer with a Jeep on board. Occasionally the wheels of the trailer would cross into the center line on tight turns. Really didn't have any problems pulling the uphill grade with 400 hp. After you get to the top I do wish that they would mark the down hill grades when you come to them as there are a lot of ups and downs with curves once you are up on top. Definitely plan on using your engine brake. The weather was not hot when we made the trip but there are signs at the bottom of the mountain advising to turn off the air conditioning of your vehicle before making the ascent. Once there the RV park map that they gave us at check in showed us our site location but they did ot escort us. Some others did get an escort. The sewer pipe connection was recessed too far down in the concrete protective block/pad that I was not able screw my angled adapter into the provided threads. Ended up utilizing a large rock to retain the angled adapter into the poop chute. As others have said. Absolutely no cell signal from any carrier is available. Our neighboring camper advised that they were trying to use the park wi-fi but weren't getting very good reception. I let them use our starlink wi-fi as a common courtesy. Site 164 was level and a mix of sparse short grass and dirt. So guessing that when it rains, if it does we won't have to worry about the RV sinking into the grass as it is somewhat firm.
GuideStaying here April 17-20 and it’s quite a good spot. Reservations are required but usually aren’t hard to get. $22 per night with a $8 reservation fee. Potable water available and bathrooms with a couple of them having showers. Weather is great with the lowest only getting to 48 degrees at night. Right by New Melones allowing for ease of water activities and taking a stroll around the park. Towns are 20-30 minute drive away so supplies and in-town activities also not hard to come by.
Only gripe is large groups nearby were noisy way past quiet hours. Besides that, great place to be.
TravelerSimple self registration. Fairgrounds campground is clean, we'll kept and is convenient to Mariposa city and Yosemite National Park.
TravelerI love how many sites here are private. It really gives the sense that you are out alone in nature, while being only 15 minutes away from the city. The restrooms are in good conditions, I haven’t tested the showers. But I’ve always enjoyed my trips here
A negative though- people do tend to dump their cats here, so depending on the time of year cats may be heavy. In January there were lots, this last time in March I only saw one or two!
TravelerWe recently camped at Vivian Cove and had a mixed experience.
The positives:
The natural setting is beautiful — right by the water with lots of ducks, and the campsite layout is quite nice. The stone seating areas are a great feature, and overall the location itself is very enjoyable. It feels more secluded compared to the main campground areas.
Important notes about facilities:
Be aware that facilities here are very basic. While the site may be listed as having amenities, in reality:
This may be expected for some campers, but it can be very different from what people assume if they see “restrooms” or “hookups” mentioned.
The main issue:
Our experience was heavily affected by a few groups who did not follow campground etiquette.
While many campers were respectful and quiet, it only took one or two inconsiderate groups to significantly impact the experience.
Enforcement:
There does appear to be enforcement — staff/patrol came through in the morning and disruptive groups were eventually asked to leave. However, quiet hours were not effectively enforced overnight.
Tips for future visitors:
Overall:
The location is great, but the experience depends heavily on neighboring campers and expectations regarding facilit
GuideBeautiful. Not crowded. All the RVs are on one shaded hillside. Nice to park in the trees. Electric, water, sewage hook up all easy access. Each site comes with fire ring and picnic table, all also in the shade.
Jamestown and the surrounding Gold Country area includes several campgrounds at elevations between 1,200-1,400 feet. Summer temperatures in this region frequently reach 100°F or higher from June through September. Camping near Jamestown CA offers both lakeside and forested options with varying levels of facilities across recreation areas.
Swimming at natural pools: Rainbow Pools is a popular swimming spot near Diamond Gulch campground. "Our family really enjoys Rainbow Pools and Yosemite Pine's proximity to Rainbow Pools is part of why we stay here. The kids can jump and swim there and that's all they really want to do anyway," notes one camper at Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging.
Hiking on local trails: The Carson Creek and Gold Rush trails near Glory Hole Recreation Area offer moderate terrain. A visitor reports, "Don't be dissuaded by that. Both trails are really easy and offer great views," after hiking at USBR Gloryhole Rec Area Big Oak Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds report deer sightings throughout the area. "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," a camper at Lake Tulloch RV Campground observed.
Scenic campsite views: Many campsites offer lake vistas, particularly at Big Oak campground. "We loved site 106 in the Big Oak campground, but found others that were even better view wise. 116 and 117 had great views of a larger part of the lake," shares a visitor to USBR Gloryhole Rec Area Big Oak Campground.
Family-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer additional features 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," mentions a camper at Yosemite Pines.
Night sky viewing: The limited light pollution creates stargazing opportunities. One visitor to River Ranch Campground reports, "We were backed up to the river and slept with our van back door open. The sound of the creek was awesome, made falling asleep so easy."
Bathroom facilities vary significantly: Condition of facilities differs between campgrounds and seasons. A camper at Tuttletown Recreation Area notes, "Some bathrooms were closed but port-o-potties were there instead. The bathrooms that were open were disgusting."
Water levels fluctuate seasonally: Lake levels can change dramatically throughout the year. "The lake was also extremely low but that's not really anyone's fault," reports a camper at Tuttletown Recreation Area.
Previous camper cleanliness issues: Several reports mention trash left behind at sites. "We filled up a large garbage bag before we could setup camp," one Tuttletown visitor noted after finding their site littered with garbage.
Shade availability depends on site selection: Many campgrounds have limited shade. "Most of the drive-in camp sites, including ours, had absolutely no shade (including nowhere to hang a hammock)," shares a Tuttletown camper.
Petting zoo access: Children enjoy the animal interactions at Yosemite Pines. "Petting zoo animals were adorable. Nice location to Yosemite. Friendly interactions with staff," mentions a visitor to Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging.
Tent site selection: Choose sites carefully when camping with children. "The tent sites were right on top of each other and there was nowhere to park. You had to climb a steep hill to get to them with your car and again to the actual spot," warns one Yosemite Pines visitor about certain tent sites.
Playground options: Some campgrounds include play structures. A Lake Tulloch visitor comments, "The kids had fun playing at the playground, jet skiing, and making sand castles at the beach."
Dump station fees: Some campgrounds charge additional fees for this service. "There is a nice dump station ($8 fee recommended.. pay station is at park entrance)," notes a visitor to Ironhorse- Glory Hole Area.
Space limitations: Not all RV-accessible sites accommodate larger vehicles. "I was lucky enough to be here when it was dead empty and picked a good site for my 27' toy hauler," reports an Ironhorse campground visitor, indicating potential space limitations during busier periods.
Fairground alternative: Mother Lode Fairgrounds offers full hookups in town. A visitor notes, "Full hook-up. 50 amp 30 amp. Fresh water at each site. Free WiFi. Large grassy area with picnic table."
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there KOA campgrounds available in or near Jamestown?
While there isn't a KOA campground directly in Jamestown, the closest KOA option would be in the greater region near Yosemite. For alternatives with similar amenities near Jamestown, consider Acorn Campground, which offers clean facilities at reasonable rates ($20 per night, with Golden Age Pass discounts available) and accommodates both small trailers and some larger RVs. Another quality option is Angels Camp Campground and RV, which provides full hookups and amenities similar to what you'd expect at a KOA.
Where can I find camping sites near Jamestown, CA?
Jamestown offers several excellent camping options within a short drive. Tuttletown Recreation Area is conveniently located near Sonora with drive-in access, reservable sites, and amenities like water and toilets that accommodate big rigs. For a lakeside experience, Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina provides boat-in and drive-in access with full amenities. Other nearby options include Acorn Campground with reasonably priced sites ($20/night, $10 with Golden Age Pass) that accommodate both small trailers and larger RVs, and the well-maintained campgrounds at Glory Hole Recreation Area.
What attractions can visitors enjoy near Jamestown camping areas?
The Jamestown area offers diverse attractions for campers. History buffs can explore Jamestown's preserved Gold Rush-era downtown and Railtown 1897 State Historic Park. Outdoor enthusiasts staying at Lake Camanche enjoy easy lake access for fishing, swimming, and boating, with well-maintained grounds and clean facilities. For a unique cultural experience, visit Indian Grinding Rock State Historical Park Campground to see Native American petroglyphs and demonstrations. Yosemite National Park is within driving distance, making Jamestown an excellent base camp for day trips to this iconic destination.
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