New Hogan Lake provides several established campground options for campers in California's Sierra foothills, located approximately 30 miles east of Stockton. Acorn Campground features tent and RV sites without hookups, while COE New Hogan Lake Coyote Point Campground offers boat-in access and accommodates both tent and RV camping. The surrounding area includes Lake Amador Resort and Lake Camanche, which provide a wider range of accommodation types including cabins, yurts, and glamping options with more amenities such as electric hookups and sewer connections.
Facilities at most campgrounds include picnic tables, fire rings, flush toilets, and some offer showers, though quality varies by location. "The bathrooms could use some TLC. No soap or towels and not all the showers were functional," noted one visitor about Acorn Campground. Water spigots are available throughout most sites, but hookups are limited primarily to the private resorts. Summer temperatures can be extremely hot with limited shade at some locations, particularly Acorn Campground, where the terrain often includes sloped sites challenging for tent campers. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, but recreational opportunities are best when lake levels are high.
Campers report mixed experiences with site quality and privacy levels throughout the area. While lakefront sites are popular, many have become less appealing as drought conditions have affected water levels. A reviewer mentioned, "The lake has receded quite a bit that one of the docks is about 100 yards from the actual lake now." Wildlife encounters, including deer families, enhance the camping experience for many visitors. Weekend crowding and noise can be issues during peak season, with several reviews noting loud parties at Acorn Campground. Fishing and boating represent primary activities at these campgrounds, with boat ramps available but sometimes far from the water depending on seasonal conditions. The mixed-use campgrounds around New Hogan Lake typically charge between $10-$20 per night for basic sites, with higher rates at private resorts offering more amenities.
$20 / night
"General: 132-site Corps of Engineers campground on New Hogan Lake. No hookups. Site Quality: Varies. Most are back-in, but some are pull-through."
"A good clean campground, popular in central California. Reasonably priced $20 per night."
$50 / night
"Easy access to the lake. Campground is well maintained. Bathrooms are always clean and with hot water. No shower at this site. But there’s one close by at the Riverview, walking distance."
"I come here with my family every year around 4th of July. I would book way ahead for busy holidays like that.
The water level really varies on the year."
$25 - $45 / night
"Fabulous lakeside camping.... We’ve been in March, May, July and September..... July, just too hot but we love being able to just get up and fish... The lake is stocked with Trout, Bass and Catfish."
"Lake water level was super low at end of summer & lake is hard to access. Unless you got a boat. Saw deer & wild turkeys. This park is huge."
"The campsites are spacious and you don't feel over crowded if there is a family next to you. It's pet friendly."
"I pitched a tent in site 43 right next to the lake. Excellent place."
"This campground is located in Lake Pardee. Some sites have a beautiful view of the lake. Lake View also has several RV sites but reservations go quickly. The lake is for fishing and boating only."
"We did a lot of kayak fishing and relaxing by the lake. We were able to walk the kayaks down with no problem."
$50 - $70 / night
"We wanted a close to home location with all the hookups to make sure we knew how to use everything. We were shocked at how clean and beautiful this park was!"
"Spacious , clean, very friendly staff, beautiful walking trail around the park. The views are so beautiful we will definitely come back!"
"There is a fishing pond directly next to the campground and access to the lake just a few minutes away."
"Great location and full hook ups. Open year round, planning on coming back during the Winter!"
"Out in Central valley is Woodward Lake. Great for a day trip if you live in the Bay area and want to get away. They have boat access to the lake."
"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"
TravelerVery nice camp spots in the oak trees. There is a marina with boat rentals and boat launch. There’s a store and burger stand on the dock. It’s says dump station but we didn’t find it, found the one at Tuttletown Campground next door.
Legend5 minutes to stores and restaurants, with swimming, fishing, boating, biking trails, ADA sites available. Large well separated campsites among scattered pines and oaks providing nice shade. Showers water and flush toilets. Several sites with electric hookup. I did not see a pump out station. The only problem is the reservation site through the state of California. $28 for a site without a hookup. The "glamping" refers to a canvas tent (yurt) with 2 full bed frames and foam mattresses in it. The "glamping' sites also have a fabric shelter over the picnic table, and a raised grill as well as a campfire ring, all for the affordable price of $279 a night, and you still have to walk to the bathroom. Use a communal shower and carry your own water. There seem to always be sites available, and I think they added the glamping to attract more people, but what they really need to do is fix the website where you make reservations. The glamping also seems to be run by a separate vendor, although you still reserve through the state of California. The reservation site said there was one site available but when we got here there were many many sites.
TravelerThis is a fairly easy to reach dispersed site in the El Dorado NF, north of HWY 88 and about 1-2 miles from a developed NF campground called PiPi (pr PiePie). Its off of Forest Service road 8N55 (although the map on the Dyrt site has it mislabelded as 8N54 as of 05/26). Reach it from 88 to Omo Ranch Road, then about 4 miles out on North-South Road [aka 10N83] to 8N55. Only a 1/2 mile on 8N55 although the ranger said there were other sites further out. You'll need to bring everything (and pack it out too). Camp site is a big flat spot on a hill crest under mature pine and fir trees. I was able to easily maneuver my SUV and teardrop within the trees and I think even a modest sized RV could do so.
ScoutGreat area, quiet. 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. It’s about 30-40 min to the gate, and of course it takes another half an hour or more to get anywhere in the park- but next to being in the park itself, it is a great spot. Our specific spot at B38 was a little confusing as to how we were supposed to pull up to the hookups with another pull through spot angled right near to it- we were able to jackknife it in a decent spot after scoping it out…
ScoutTent camped, basic site , senior discount, about 20 per night.
GuideWe booked the Eagles Nest campsite, and the views were awesome! We stayed two nights and had a good time. There are two spots down below the main road that are accessible but recommend at minimum AWD, especially if visiting during the rainy season. The host was very helpful got us a case of water and even had fresh eggs that we bought. 👍🏼
GuideStaying here April 17-20 and it’s quite a good spot. Reservations are required but usually aren’t hard to get. $22 per night with a $8 reservation fee. Potable water available and bathrooms with a couple of them having showers. Weather is great with the lowest only getting to 48 degrees at night. Right by New Melones allowing for ease of water activities and taking a stroll around the park. Towns are 20-30 minute drive away so supplies and in-town activities also not hard to come by.
Only gripe is large groups nearby were noisy way past quiet hours. Besides that, great place to be.
GuideThe campground is in a good location, nice view, spacious sites at a fair price. Unfortunately, this campground could be an easy 5 stars if the camp hosts were more invested but I'm sure they are living there for free and not having to do much at all except drive around on their golf cart every couple of days. If they were invested in their responsibilities as a camphost, they wouldn't take up three spots for their extra vehicles because they'd be full. They also don't walk the park or the grassy areas(trash throughout), no clean up of sites or fire pits(dog waste bags and plastic trash bags in fire pit and broken glass at site), and they don't unlock the showers at the posted times(you get 2 hrs in the morning and 2 hrs in the evening to use showers if they're not locked up), nor do they clean the bathroom which was pretty gross the whole week I was there. The sign says to let the camp host know if the showers are locked during scheduled use times but good luck getting past their GS who lets you know not to bother them. On top of those issues, the feral cats will urinate/spray on anything left outside your rig. This park could easily get full and stay that way if issues were addressed but it's obvious that someone knows someone. If you get my drift. It's disappointing and I won't be back.
TravelerI love how many sites here are private. It really gives the sense that you are out alone in nature, while being only 15 minutes away from the city. The restrooms are in good conditions, I haven’t tested the showers. But I’ve always enjoyed my trips here
A negative though- people do tend to dump their cats here, so depending on the time of year cats may be heavy. In January there were lots, this last time in March I only saw one or two!
New Hogan Lake sits at approximately 713 feet elevation in California's Sierra foothills, surrounded by oak woodlands and grasslands. Water levels at New Hogan Lake campsites fluctuate seasonally, with spring typically offering the highest lake levels for recreation. The area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F, while winter brings cooler temperatures and occasional rainfall.
Kayaking and paddling: Explore the coves and inlets of New Hogan Lake by kayak. Acorn Campground provides easy water access for paddlers. "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," notes Shari G.
Fishing from shore: Cast for trout, bass, and catfish from multiple access points around the lake. Lake Amador Resort offers good fishing opportunities. "The lake is stocked with Trout, Bass and Catfish. Tackle Box Cafe is really good, weekends only, and the staff is kind and helpful," explains Debbie R.
Hiking and wildlife viewing: Walk the shoreline trails to spot local wildlife including deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species. "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," reports Christy L.
Disc golf: Play a round at one of several disc golf courses in the region. "As disc golfers, of course we love camping here, having 3 courses to choose from," says Christy L. about nearby recreation areas.
Spacious lakeside sites: Many campsites offer direct water views and convenient access. Rancho Seco Recreation Area provides prime waterfront camping options. "I pitched a tent in site 43 right next to the lake. Excellent place," writes Les S.
Off-season tranquility: Visiting during weekdays or shoulder seasons provides a quieter experience. "We've stayed at this campground a couple of times on our way to/from Yosemite National Park, and it is a nice place to spend a couple of nights... during the week in the shoulder season, we pretty much had the place to ourselves," explains Shari G. about Acorn Campground.
Wildlife encounters: The natural setting attracts diverse wildlife viewing 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," shares Christy L.
Convenient amenities: Many sites offer basic facilities for comfortable camping experiences. "Each site has a firepit, grill, picnic table, and a pole to hang lanterns on," notes Darin D. from Acorn Campground.
Shower conditions vary: Bathroom and shower facilities can be inconsistent across campgrounds. "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," reports Shari G. about Acorn Campground.
Heat considerations: Summer temperatures can be extreme, requiring proper preparation. "This campground is great if you have a boat or jetski, as you can moor your boat close to your site. I was here in July of 2019, and it was hot! But the lake is fantastic and the campsites are big which provides plenty of room for shade structures," shares Trisha L.
Water level fluctuations: Lake levels change significantly throughout the year, affecting water access and beach availability. COE New Hogan Lake Coyote Point Campground experiences these changes. "Make sure you get water shoes because the lake does have sharp rocks and the local CVS has them," advises Pamela P.
Weekend crowds: Expect more visitors and potential noise issues during peak times. "This is a small but lovely place. Very quiet," notes Les S. about Rancho Seco Recreation Area, contrasting with busier campgrounds.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas ideal for families with children. Woodward Reservoir provides good swimming conditions. "Shallow and warm water great for swimming and water sports. Has paved looped campgrounds and has all necessary hook ups for rv/motorhome camping," explains Russell L.
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and recreation areas. "They have a water hole with a fun slide, which is all kept nice and clean with tables you can sit at. I would recommend a pop up tent for shade if you go to the water hole. There is also a old school playground for the kids," shares Moonlit_starrynights about Lake Amador.
Multiday trip planning: The area supports extended family camping trips with various activities. "We have been there three times, twice for day trips when our kids were camping there and one time where our son's and daughter's family and us were camping there for three days weekend," reports Craig & Linda L. about Woodward Reservoir.
Safety considerations: Be aware of potential hazards when camping with children. "We found multiple 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," cautions Angel S. about Rancho Seco Recreation Area.
Hookup availability: Full hookup options vary between campgrounds. "We stayed in the dry camping area which was right on the lake. The showers worked well and didn't require coins, and there was a dump station up front by the fish cleaning station," explains Mike A. about Lake Amador.
Site leveling: Some RV sites require adjustment for comfortable parking. "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," notes Shari G. about Acorn Campground.
Sewer connection challenges: Be prepared for unique setup requirements at some campgrounds. "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. about Monument RV Park - Lake Camanche.
Shade considerations: Look for sites with adequate tree coverage during hot months. "While there were many trees around for shade, we still had enough open sky for good solar gain and Starlink," shares Shari G. about camping at Acorn Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Acorn Campground located at New Hogan Lake?
Acorn Campground is located on New Hogan Reservoir in central California. It's a Corps of Engineers campground situated alongside the lake with easy access to the water. The campground features multiple boat ramps for water recreation. Due to California's drought conditions, the water level fluctuates - in some periods, the lake has receded significantly, with one dock reported about 100 yards from the actual lake. The area is surrounded by wildlife that has become somewhat accustomed to visitors. Each camping section has its own restroom within a short walking distance. For boaters or anyone looking to camp near a lake, Pardee Reservoir Recreation Area is another nearby option with similar lake access.
What RV camping facilities are available at New Hogan Lake?
New Hogan Lake offers RV camping facilities with varying accommodations. The campgrounds are primarily geared for smaller trailers and tents, but some sites can accommodate larger RVs. Most sites at COE New Hogan Lake Coyote Point Campground are back-in, though some pull-through sites are available. No hookups are provided at the Corps of Engineers campgrounds. Sites are generally generous in size, providing some privacy, but be aware that some are not level. Each site typically includes a fire pit and picnic table. For full hookups and more extensive RV facilities, nearby Miner's Camp RV Park offers additional amenities for larger rigs.
How do I make reservations for camping at New Hogan Lake?
Reservations for camping at New Hogan Lake can be made through Recreation.gov. Acorn Campground at New Hogan Lake is a 132-site Corps of Engineers campground with reservable sites. The campground costs $20 per night, with discounts available for Golden Age passes that reduce the nightly expense to $10 (maximum 15-day stay per month). For peak seasons and holidays, it's advisable to book well in advance as the campground is popular in central California. Some campgrounds in the region like Lake Camanche recommend booking months ahead for busy holidays like 4th of July.
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