New Hogan Lake sits at approximately 700 feet elevation in California's Sierra Nevada foothills, surrounded by oak woodlands and grasslands. The reservoir fluctuates seasonally, sometimes dropping significantly by late summer which affects shoreline camping locations. Water temperatures reach the mid-70s during summer months, making it ideal for swimming with pets during peak season.
What to Do
Kayaking and canoeing: Explore the quiet coves and inlets around New Hogan Lake for excellent wildlife viewing. Acorn Campground offers good lake access points. "We got in our kayaks for an awesome day paddle around the many coves of this reservoir. Since the lake level fluctuates there aren't many good beaches, but you can pull off to have a picnic lunch," shares Shari G.
Fishing opportunities: Cast for bass, trout, and catfish from shore or boat. Lake Amador Resort stocks their lake regularly. "The lake is stocked with Trout, Bass and Catfish. Tackle Box Cafe is really good, weekends only, and the staff is kind and helpful," notes Debbie R.
Disc golf courses: Play a round at the well-maintained courses near Lake Amador. "As disc golfers, of course we love camping here, having 3 courses to choose from. But there is something for everyone in the family here, there is amazing fishing, boating and swimming," reports Christy L.
Lake swimming: New Hogan Lake offers designated swimming areas with limited shade. Rancho Seco Recreation Area provides a swimming alternative with clearer water. "Clear and beautiful water. Awesome views," notes Sunshine M.
What Campers Like
Spacious campsites: Most campgrounds near New Hogan Lake provide good separation between sites. "Nice spacious spots. No power or water hookups. Water spigots close by. Bathrooms with flush toilets and a single spacious shower," says Martha H. about Acorn Campground.
Lakeside camping spots: Request waterfront sites for easy water access and views. COE New Hogan Lake Coyote Point Campground offers prime lake views. "Gorgeous place to camp and tons of dragonflies, butterflies and bees. We did a lot of kayak fishing and relaxing by the lake. We were able to walk the kayaks down with no problem," shares Pamela P.
Campground facilities: Restroom and shower availability varies by location. "The main bathroom building had clean flush toilets and showers, but there were a few extra vault toilets scattered around. Fresh water taps and recycling/trash bins were plentiful," notes Shari G. about Acorn Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Many dog friendly campgrounds at New Hogan Lake offer wildlife watching opportunities. "The wildlife is RIGHT THERE! We saw a tarantula near the tee box on 2. I woke up with 4 deer casually strolling through our campsite, a huge group of turkeys were cruising around the whole weekend," says Christy L.
What You Should Know
Seasonal water levels: Reservoir levels change dramatically throughout the year. "Early summer is the best time to go for high lake levels," advises Darin D., noting that at Acorn Campground "sites that are right on the lake can end up being hundreds of feet from the lake if the water level is low."
Summer heat management: The area experiences very hot summers, often exceeding 100°F. Woodward Reservoir offers relief. "Woodward is our family go to place to camp in the summer heat. Water feels good when it's 100+ degrees outside," shares Bonnie S.
Limited cell service: Cell reception varies throughout the lake area. At Lake Amador, one reviewer notes "decent cell service" while others report spotty coverage at most campgrounds around New Hogan Lake.
Off-peak advantages: Consider camping during weekdays or shoulder seasons for a quieter experience. "During the week in the shoulder season, we pretty much had the place to ourselves," reports Shari G. about Acorn Campground.
Tips for Camping with Families
Kid-friendly water features: Some sites offer special swimming areas for children. Lake Amador Resort has additional features for kids. "The man made pond is nice for the kids. It has a slide they can use," reports Mike L.
Dog friendly sites: Most campgrounds around New Hogan Lake welcome pets with specific rules. Look for sites with easy water access for pet swimming. "We couldn't stay up pass sunset to enjoy the fire and s'mores because you would get flooded with the beetles," warns Angel S. about Rancho Seco Recreation Area, suggesting early evening activities with children.
Group camping opportunities: Several campgrounds accommodate multiple families camping together. "Some are close enough together to make a great group camping set-up, while others were off on their own with a view of the reservoir," notes Shari G. about Acorn Campground.
Safety considerations: Be prepared for wildlife encounters and water safety. "Fish hooks and one happen to pierce my sandal. We have a 3 year old and brought our dog so imagine how dangerous that can be," warns Angel S., highlighting the need to thoroughly check campsites when arriving at dog friendly campgrounds near New Hogan Lake.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Full hookup options are limited near New Hogan Lake. Monument RV Park - Lake Camanche offers better RV accommodations. "The hookups worked good but the sewer hookup is elevated so you will probably want sewer hose supports to lift your hose," advises Courtney C.
Site leveling considerations: Many campsites require leveling blocks. "The campground offers a range of pull-through and back-in campsites along the slopes of the rolling hills, but most of the individual sites were flat and could accommodate a wide variety of rig sizes," shares Shari G.
Solar options: For those with solar capabilities, most campgrounds offer adequate exposure. "While there were many trees around for shade, we still had enough open sky for good solar gain and Starlink," notes Shari G.
Supply access: Valley Springs provides the closest services for RVers, about 5 minutes from Acorn Campground. "Sonora is the closest town with larger grocery stores and restaurants," according to Shari G., though smaller stores are available closer to the lake.
