New Melones Lake, CA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of New Melones Lake. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in New Melones Lake, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
$150 / night
"Water level in the New Melones Lake was quite low at that time and it is kind of an off-season time to visit this recreation area so campground was not crowded at all."
"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."
"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."
$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."
"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."
"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."
"Drove up to Lake Alpine with snow on the ground."
"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."
$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 view was gorgeous, and there were a lot of hiking trails to choose from."
"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."
"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."
GuideIt's suitable enough of a campground, Verizon works. There is sun for solar panels and enough shade to be fine mostly, I have a canopy so it helps make it more than fine. Only downside is the ground is basically dust dirt. My dogs love it, my bedding doesn't!
ScoutJust purchased our first camping trailer and decided to go somewhere close to home. We heard River Point Campground was an excellent place to go to. Everything there could not be better. Staff was fantastic! The grounds were beautiful. Our site was right along the Deep Water Channel. We saw ships coming in and out of the channel. Was lucky to see a sailboat race also. I HIGHLY recommend River Point Campground. We'll be back soon.
TravelerI absolutely adore this dispersed site because of the fond memories that I had growing up using the site while it was fully operational (for 28 years). It used to be a fully operational campground, but it's now decommissioned and only accessible by walking in. That said, this spot likely won’t meet the expectations of most campers looking for convenience or amenities.
The road to the campsites is closed to motorized vehicles, but you can still drive up to a gate where there’s space to park about 5 vehicles—more if you don’t mind double parking with people in your group. From there, it’s a short walk in. Some sites still have old wooden picnic tables, but they’re pretty worn down. If you have a group larger than 8, I’d recommend bringing an extra table or some additional seating. Be mindful of your surroundings—there are many dead-standing trees and potentially hazardous branches, so choose your tent and eating areas carefully.
There are no toilets, no running water, and very few visitors aside from the residents who live along Hells Halfacre Road. However, if you walk down the hill from the campsites, you’ll find a few great swimming holes—definitely worth the effort on a warm day.
If you do visit, please respect the land and the locals. It’s a quiet, off-the-grid kind of place—perfect for those who appreciate solitude and rustic camping.
ScoutGreat spot a little farther up Hardin Flat Rd. I am parked across from a private drive so I can turn around with my RV if needed.
ScoutAll amenities are super clean, check in was a breeze and you get access to the pool!
GuideLots of ticks! be prepared. other than that, our camp was wonderful. there were many other groups camping in this area which provided a sense of comfort. there’s a spot to throw trash away safely. really great.
TravelerVery Nice small authentic mining style campground. Suitable for RV and hook-ups.
Traveler$61 a night for full hookups. Showers available but not ADA compliant so my husband couldn't use it. Large dog park but a person in there had an aggressive dog so we couldn't use it
GuideNice spacious spots. No power or water hookups. Water spigots close by. Bathrooms with flush toilets and a single spacious shower. The shower needs to be updated.
Camping near New Melones Lake, California, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy nature and make lasting memories.
Camping near New Melones Lake, California, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect spot for your next adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, New Melones Lake offers a wide range of camping options, with 213 campgrounds and RV parks near New Melones Lake and 9 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near New Melones Lake is Tuttletown Recreation Area with a 3.6-star rating from 11 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near New Melones Lake.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near New Melones Lake that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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