J
John V.
Scout
ScoutRiverpoint Landing Marina Resort
It is beautiful, clean, secure and right on the River! 50 amps are available… We would prefer to have sewer hook up as
Dog-Friendly Camping near Oakdale, CA
7 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Woodward Reservoir's pet-friendly camping areas accommodate both tent and RV campers with full hookup options including electric, water, and sewer connections. Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina also welcomes pets at their sites featuring tent spaces, RV spots, cabins, and glamping accommodations. Most campgrounds in the Oakdale area maintain standard leash requirements and provide designated pet waste disposal stations. Campsites typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to drinking water. Several campgrounds feature fenced dog parks where pets can exercise off-leash, with Lake Tulloch offering waterfront sites where pets can enjoy shoreline access. Ferral cats are common at some locations, particularly at Lake Tulloch, so campers should secure food and belongings.
Hiking trails near many Oakdale-area campgrounds provide additional exercise opportunities for leashed dogs. The Tuolumne River Ranch allows pets with electric hookups and water access points where dogs can cool off during warmer months. Campgrounds like Fleming Meadows at Don Pedro Recreation Area offer boat-in camping options for those traveling with pets by water. Several locations provide showers and restroom facilities, though availability varies by season. Woodward Reservoir features shallow, warm water suitable for dogs that enjoy swimming, while the surrounding grassy areas provide space for pets to explore. The campgrounds are typically busiest during summer weekends, with more availability and quieter conditions during weekdays and off-season periods.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Oakdale (105)
1. Woodward Reservoir
"Woodward Reservoir is a great place to camp with or without all the amenities...They have primitive camping for the folks that like roughing it as well as people that like the home away from home experience"
"Water feels good when it's 100+ degrees outside. Good prices. And you can bring your dogs."
2. Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina
"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."
3. Cole Ranch
"Our dog Rocket lost his floatie frisbee in the water and they took time out of their day to buy him a new one so he can continue to play in the river! Made our experience more worth it!"
"The amenities were above and beyond anything we have seen at other locations. Complimentary watercraft for the river, stocked outdoor kitchen, and hot showers with shampoo/lotion etc. "
from $60 - $90 / night
4. Olive Lane Mobile Estates
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $35 / night
5. Turlock Lake State Recreation Area Campground
"The campgrounds are nicely positioned with plenty of space for individuals or families. Adequate parking and tent area."
Check Availabilityfrom $36 / night
6. Acorn Campground
"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."
29 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $30 / night
7. Tuttletown Recreation Area
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $150 / night
8. USBR Gloryhole Rec Area Big Oak Campground
"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."
9. Glory Hole Recreation Area
"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"
90 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $18 - $22 / night
10. Fleming Meadows Don Pedro Recreation Area
"These spots were NOT good for little ones learning to walk. It was very uneven and rocky but spacious with trees and a view of the lake. We stayed Thursday to Sunday."
"Near by store for any items you forgot to bring. Take my boys here a few time a year. Fishing is always good and the water is perfect just to go boating."
Drive Time
- 25 min from Modesto, CA
- 36 min from Stockton, CA
- 50 min from Merced, CA
- 1 hr 29 min from San Jose, CA
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Oakdale, CA
59 Photos of 105 Oakdale Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Oakdale, CA
631 Reviews of 105 Oakdale Campgrounds
- s
susan F.
RangerOasis West RV Park
Convenient location - on 152, just west of I-5. The majority of the 115 sites are residential RVers, but there are a few sites available for short term. Clean and heated bathrooms, although dated; covered area with ping ping, pool, and tables and chairs. Pool, laundry, dog run area, and playground (closed for maintenance while we were here). No stray or feral animals; saw several people with dogs - all in a leash and behaved. The RV Park itself is very quiet - as essentially a residential area. The highway noise is fairly loud, thus the 4.
- MMary P.Scout
Castle Air Museum RV Park
$50 a night for full hookups, and WiFi
Matt G.RangerVan Haven Dispersed Site Yosemite
Ok stop for a night
Not even sure i found the exact place. Go through a little neighborhood an come to a gravel road. Found a little turn around an spent the night. Didnt see anyone. Cell coverage enough to get texts.
- KKathryn T.
TravelerRailroad Flat Campground
RAILROAD FLAT CMPGRND
Beautiful. Would definitely come back.
Kylee R.RangerCaswell Memorial State Park Campground
Caswell Memorial State Park
Lots of sites with privacy! Bathrooms are clean and they have coin operated showers. Dumpsters and water in various spots. Right on the river, a small beach access. Saw some cats. Bear box, picnic table, and fire pit at each spot.
- JJeff H.Traveler
Golden Pines RV Resort and Campground
Nice campground
Beautiful area, full hookups, not parking lot camping, well maintained. New owners very friendly.
- BBryan G.Traveler
Oak Hollow Campground — Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Nice place among the trees
Well I guess I’m the last to leave for the season . I’m in the campground 7 miles from the entrance there is another one closest to the road . If your here to see the big trees then stay bye the road if you can
- TTwindaddy
GuideDel Valle Campground — East Bay Regional Park District
East Bay Parks - IYKYK
Like most/all east bay parks, this is well appointed for the masses. It’s also surrounded by rolling hills and close to suburbia. For many, these are positives. As an east bay resident they are for me as well. Del Valle is a bit more removed than many east bay parks. From my location in Fremont, it’s a one hour drive. A pleasant drive for the most part. I camp to get away for a bit and almost always to mountain bike. As such, I seek parks that have trails. Del Valle has a map of many trails. They also appear on many of the mapping services used by mountain bikers. Review those and digest them if this is also your intention - these are east bay parka style trails. In other words, mostly steep and loose fire roads, with many “social trails” sprinkled between. If you are compelled to stay legit/legal trails, bring an ebike. Now on to the camping. I picked a spot as far removed from any booked spot on the map. I triple checked this up until the day before I arrived. I want solitude! When I arrived Thursday afternoon, I was surprised to see the sites just 3 spaces away, on both sides, occupied. This is a fairly compact area. And while I’m sure they’re lovely folks, this isn’t what I expected on a Thursday. Saturday? Sure. Anyway… be aware that these reservation services aren’t completely reliable in that regard. The bathrooms and showers are amazing! Clean, smell good, cared for. Noteworthy is the hot showers in the camp grounds are free and your one push of the button provides water for two minutes I'd guess. Very nice! The space, 135 for me, is okay. A couple trees for shade, a nice table and fire pit. It’s now dark and the noise is minimal - mostly from the group campsite just down the hill. I’ll update this with more details in the coming days since it’s a 4 day visit.
Update 1: it’s my first morning here. Using starlink as there is no cell signal to be found. What I noticed last night was that this park is directly below the flight path to the local airports. Every couple minutes last night, a plane would fly overhead. According to flight aware, they’re at about 10,000 feet. If this will ruin your getaway, you’ve been warned.
Update 2: On Friday night, the majority of the spots were filled. Many large groups of people with varying degrees of consideration, but to their credit almost all (except the barking German Shepard) were quiet by 10PM. It was a bit more crowded come Saturday morning. Some friends came to visit for a mountain bike ride, and we set off at about noon. I had been complimentary of the facilities and bragged that I'd be taking a nice shower after our ride. Unfortunately, upon our return, there was no hot water and no lighting in the showers. And, sadly, someone decided to remove the tags and hangers from their TJ Maxx haul and leave them all over the floor of two of the showers.
Verdict: I'd only come back here in the springtime when it's likely to be green and have some water in the arroyo and only during the week. The density and composition of the people here was akin to being at Costco on a Saturday, and I only did that once.
Guide to Oakdale
Camping near Oakdale sits at the transition between California's Central Valley and Sierra foothills, with elevations ranging from 160-300 feet. Summer temperatures regularly reach 100°F while winter lows can dip into the 30s. The region's reservoirs offer water recreation opportunities from late spring through early fall, though water levels fluctuate significantly based on seasonal rainfall and Sierra snowmelt.
What to Do
Boat-in camping options: At Fleming Meadows Don Pedro Recreation Area, campers can access unique lakeside spots by water. "Plenty of areas to go biking and there is a near by trail if you feel like going on a hike. The Blue Oak Campground just minutes away so you can access the Blue Oak Shoreline Trail but bring plenty of water and some snacks. Trail is 7 miles round trip," notes Eddie N.
Fishing from shore: The reservoirs around Oakdale provide fishing access without needing a boat. "The campground is quiet and the scenery is amazing this time of year. There are easily accessible hiking trails that were a great help in wearing out the pups," shares Lori T. about USBR Gloryhole Rec Area Big Oak Campground.
Swimming in designated areas: Many campgrounds feature specific swimming zones. "They have a lagoon for the kids with picnic tables, bbq pits and a large grass area," explains Ed S. about Fleming Meadows, making it ideal for families with children who want controlled swimming environments.
What Campers Like
Easy local escapes: Woodward Reservoir provides a quick getaway for regional residents. "Woodward is our family go to place to camp in the summer heat. Lots of campsites with room for tents or RVs. Fire pits and picnic tables at each site. Plenty of bathrooms, some with showers," reports Bonnie S.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds offer opportunities to see local fauna. At Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina, "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," describes Katie K.
Weekday tranquility: Several campgrounds become much quieter midweek. "It is beautiful, clean and not crowded. We planned it last night and it had plenty of spots to pick from," writes Mahdi about USBR Gloryhole Rec Area, highlighting the benefit of off-peak visits.
What You Should Know
Seasonal restrictions: Some campgrounds limit access during certain times. One Woodward Reservoir visitor noted, "This campground is only open to Stanislas County residents," while another mentioned seasonal water contact prohibitions: "Usually late September to Mid April, there is no body to water contact."
Site variability: Campsites can differ dramatically within the same campground. "Our site had the tiniest barbecue grill available. The water that was coming out of all the faucets, was red and brown," reports Maria M. about Lake Tulloch. Meanwhile, at Acorn Campground, "This is a large campground with sites generally well spaced apart, you don't feel right on top of your neighbors. Lots of site variation, so do your homework or be flexible," advises Gregory R.
Water level fluctuations: Reservoirs can change dramatically through the season. "The lake level varies wildly throughout the year, sites that are right on the lake can end up being hundreds of feet from the lake if the water level is low. Early summer is the best time to go for high lake levels," warns Darin D.
Tips for Camping with Families
Protected swimming areas: Several campgrounds feature controlled swimming zones. Fleming Meadows has "a man made swimming hole with the fountain," which Michelle H. notes kids enjoy. This provides safer alternatives to open reservoir swimming.
Nature exploration opportunities: Turlock Lake State Recreation Area Campground offers educational opportunities. One visitor called it a "Great place to swim & learn about nature!" while another appreciated that "the campgrounds are nicely positioned with plenty of space for individuals or families."
Pet-friendly options with limitations: For pet friendly camping near Oakdale, California, most campgrounds allow dogs but with restrictions. "You can bring your dogs," confirms Bonnie S. about Woodward Reservoir, though like most area campgrounds, leash rules apply and designated pet areas vary by location.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability varies: Electric and water connections aren't universal at all campsites. At Cole Ranch, "The grassy hook-up RV sites were big and welcoming. The shoreline overlooking the river was relaxing, quiet and inviting," according to Joyce L., who appreciated the full-service amenities.
Site selection is critical: RVers should research specific sites before booking. At Acorn Campground, a visitor noted, "many campsites are located quite a long walk from [restrooms]," which can be important for those relying on campground facilities rather than onboard systems.
Temperature management: The Oakdale area experiences extreme heat in summer. A Woodward Reservoir camper advised, "I always need to take extra blankets and fire wood. It tends to get chilly and windy occasionally," highlighting the temperature swings that can challenge RV climate control systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Oakdale, CA is Woodward Reservoir with a 4-star rating from 16 reviews.
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