Dispersed camping near New Hogan Lake offers options beyond established campgrounds, with several unofficial sites located along Forest Roads in the surrounding Stanislaus National Forest. The area sits at approximately 1,000 feet elevation at the lake and rises to over 3,000 feet in nearby camping areas. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F from June through September, creating challenging conditions for tent campers without adequate shade.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Camanche provides reliable fishing throughout the year. According to a regular visitor, "Fishing is awesome! Hiking trails can be better. There is a general store at the boat marina and ramp" at Lake Camanche.
Water recreation: Paddle sports are popular at Rancho Seco Recreation Area where watercraft rentals are available. A visitor noted, "They have boat rentals and a fishing derby every year too. It just great and has a beach and the lake is nice size and has a store on site but confusing on operation hours."
Hiking trails: At North Grove Campground, campers can explore sequoia groves on established paths. A visitor shared, "There's lots of trails to hike here, an extensive ranger station with a Visitor Center, snack bar, and organized talks and activities. The big trees are exactly as advertised: incredibly big and awe-inspiring."
What campers like
Swimming access: The water temperature at Lake Camanche remains comfortable throughout summer. A camper observed, "We took out one of the facilities canoes on the river and relaxed on the water all afternoon. Fishing was a success, what a bonus."
Quiet weekday camping: Most campgrounds experience significantly lower usage midweek. A camper at Rancho Seco Recreation Area shared, "This is a small but lovely place. I pitched a tent in site 43 right next to the lake. Excellent place."
Wildlife viewing: Camp Nauvoo provides 85 acres of natural habitat. A visitor commented, "Great sites for families and romantic sites for couples. Hiking, swimming, fishing and places for quiet time."
What you should know
Fire restrictions: Seasonal bans are common during summer and fall. At Top of Arnold, a camper advised, "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."
Road conditions: Access to dispersed camping areas often requires navigating rough roads. A visitor to Top of Arnold reported, "The dirt road up is full of ruts and potholes, but my Toyota Yaris made it up."
Insect activity: Certain camping areas experience heavy insect presence. A camper at Rancho Seco Recreation Area noted, "The whole park is infested with ground beetles that would just land all over you and your food. We couldn't stay up pass sunset to enjoy the fire and s'mores because you would get flooded with the beetles."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Look for campsites with designated swimming areas. At Rancho Seco Recreation Area, a family camper shared, "Clear and beautiful water. Awesome views. Good rated. Easy to book online. Clean campgrounds. Regular maintenance and trash pick up."
Pet-friendly options: Many campgrounds accommodate dogs with specific rules. A camper mentioned, "There's a dog park for the dogs to roam free off the leash, which also has access to water/beach area for the dogs only."
Kid-friendly activities: Structured recreation opportunities exist at several locations. According to a visitor, "Cool for a weekend stay. We don't have boat and did not rent one, but the kids had a great time with just the floaties."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Sly Park Recreation Area provides various camping zones with different experiences. An RVer noted, "The front half of the lake is sometimes quite close quarters full of large RVs and campers. The real gems are further back into the campground where if you plan it right you can talk to nobody except your camp host."
Hook-up availability: Several campgrounds offer partial connections for RVs. A camper at Lake Camanche reported, "Site: Monument. Condition: Clean, fairly spacious RV sites. Internet: Poor."
Seasonal considerations: Off-season camping provides a different experience. A visitor shared, "We stayed at the lake for one night, mid-week, off season. We were only one of a few handful of RVs in the RV section of the campground. I could imagine it being a loud party-scene in the summer."
