SUMMER SALE 50% off The Dyrt PRO — just $2.49/moGet now
SALE: PRO just $2.49/mo
The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Camping near Jamestown, CA

235 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

Search destinations
    Add dates

    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.

    Complete Guide to Camping in Yosemite National Park - The Complete Guide

    Get the guide now

    View Guide

    Best Campgrounds near Jamestown (235)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging

      3.8(26)15mi from JamestownRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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

      Check Availability

      2. Tuttletown Recreation Area

      3.6(11)6mi from Jamestown163 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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

      Check Availability

      3. Glory Hole Recreation Area

      4.1(9)8mi from Jamestown144 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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"

      from $18 - $22 / night

      Check Availability

      4. Diamond Gulch

      4.4(10)11mi from Jamestown3 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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."

      from $30 - $89 / night

      Check Availability

      5. USBR Gloryhole Rec Area Big Oak Campground

      4.1(7)8mi from JamestownRVs, Tents

      "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."

      Check Availability

      6. Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina

      3.7(10)11mi from JamestownRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      Check Availability

      7. Mother Lode Fairgrounds

      4.0(4)2mi from JamestownRVs

      "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."

      Check Availability

      8. River Ranch Campground

      4.9(7)12mi from JamestownRVs, Tents

      "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!"

      Check Availability

      9. Angels Camp Campground and RV

      4.2(5)9mi from JamestownRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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."

      Check Availability

      10. Ironhorse- Glory Hole Area - New Melones Lake

      3.8(4)7mi from JamestownRVs, Tents

      "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."

      Check Availability
    View all 235 campgrounds

    2026 Explorer Giveaway

    Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

    Enter to Win

    Jamestown Contest

    Enter to Win

    RV Road Trip Guides

    SPONSORED BYT-Mobile
    Pacific Coast Road Trip

    19 Day Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip

    Pacific Coast Road Trip Segment: San Francisco, CA to Santa Barbara, CA

    San Francisco to Santa Barbara: 4 Day Road Trip

    Build Your Trip

    Plan a TripAdd

    Recent Camping Photos near Jamestown, CA

    402 Photos of 235 Jamestown Campgrounds

    Recent Reviews near Jamestown, CA

    1075 Reviews of 235 Jamestown Campgrounds

    • A
      Jun. 25, 2026

      Castle Crags Campground — Castle Crags State Park

      Semi-Decent

      We arrived with no reservations and had many spots to choose from. The spots aren’t super private but you usually have your own space. There’s a market and lots of hikes super close by. The showers were coin operated, with coins you had to buy from the ranger station (1 coin = 2 mins). The showers and bathrooms were not clean at all. For as many rangers and workers we saw, we were severely disappointed by how gross the bathrooms were. Stars would probably be higher if it wasn’t for that.

    • Debbie L.
      Jun. 25, 2026

      Lake Amador Resort

      RV camping among the residence.

      Stayed two nights and had our 8 year old grandson with us.  We got what we were told was the best full hook up RV site. I can see a little bit of the lake which is very nice. There is a lot of permanent residence mobile trailer homes. Not at all what I expected. It is dirt, rocks and trees that don’t really provide shade. There were cigarette buts all over our camp site. There is a small fire pit but no bbq. For a good five hours today there was some shooting off a gun. Our dog happens to be afraid of that sound so she spent most of the day inside the trailer. When we arrived we had no picnic table and nobody would answer the phone. My husband and I ended taking one from the empty site next to us. Then this morning I called trying to get the Wi-Fi password. They gave me the wrong one, I called back, they never answered. I left a message, they never called back. My grandson and I walked down a small boat ramp to the lake. The area was full of trash and there was sludge at least a foot off the shore. From there you can see many of the small boat ramps off the backs of the permanent trailers and they were in complete disrepair. I get the feeling no one cares. 

      I can’t speak to any other area in this resort. Only where we are physically. My Husband did say there was a nice pond with picnic tables and shade, but the dog was not allowed to be there so that wasn’t something that we could enjoy.

    • Jonathan G.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 23, 2026

      Top of Arnold - FR 5N56 Dispersed

      Peaceful forested campsite

      The area was quiet during my stay. Site is adjacent to the road, with a rock fire ring . The road up had some rough areas, but my outback had no real issues. I recommend hugh clearance, 4x4 to get here.

    • Kristin
      Jun. 22, 2026

      Merced River Resort

      Merced River access

      Perfect spot with river access gor fishing. Friendliest people ive met so far. They actually like my bloodhounds ❤️ that right there says alot. Clean pool clean bathrooms and showers. Only bad thing is showers close at 8pm

    • M
      Jun. 19, 2026

      Beardsley Dam Campground

      Beardsley dam campground

      We really enjoyed the campground, there was vaulted toilets and somewhat easy access to the lake it was a bit steep down to the water for young kids. But spacious area and nice views

    • Weston C.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 16, 2026

      Forest Route 4N39 Dispersed

      Roads bumpy but doable

      There are a couple spots alongside the road. Powerlines are nearby but there are a few fire pits. They seem to be logging the area and running cattle but it’s pretty quiet.

    • S
      Jun. 13, 2026

      Jackson Rancheria RV Park

      Great Place

      A renewed campground with very friendly Staff, Pool and Casino. The Sites are big. The restrooms and showers excellent

    • Tom H.
      Jun. 8, 2026

      Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging

      Very misleading Website

      Website says Luxurious sites, spacious sites.  Our site was extremely narrow, sat on a hillside, unlevel, difficult to hook/unhook a 5th wheel because of the downhill.  We booked a site for a 30 foot 5th wheel.  After my negative review, they posted that LARGE trailers and 5th wheels might have issues???  30 foot is not large.  Our lawn chairs were literally 6 feet from our neighbors sewer hook up and our picnic table sat at about a 30 degree slope.  They also said the staff tried to resolve my issues, which never happened.  They have a lot of amenities, laundry, pool, etc.  But the sites we saw were pretty much like ours.  Make your own decisions, form your own opinions, but we'll never go back, nor will we recommend it to anyone.

    • Kelly I.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 5, 2026

      Crane Flat Campground

      Great location

      This was a great spot for a quick stay. Restrooms, camping and good spaces between others. Would definitely stay here again!

    Guide to Jamestown

    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.

    What to do

    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.

    What campers like

    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."

    What you should know

    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.

    Tips for camping with families

    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."

    Tips from RVers

    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.

    Keep Exploring

    5. View all California cities for camping