Smiley C.
Scout
ScoutGlory Hole Recreation Area
Glory Hole ,on New Melones lake
Tent camped, basic site , senior discount, about 20 per night.
Best Campgrounds near Oakdale, CA
The Oakdale area in central California contains several reservoir-based campgrounds with Woodward Reservoir and Lake Tulloch RV Campground serving as major camping destinations. Both locations provide tent and RV sites with varying levels of amenities. Woodward Reservoir campground features paved loops with full hookups for RVs and motorhomes, while also accommodating tent campers. Lake Tulloch offers additional options including cabins and glamping accommodations. Other nearby options include Cole Ranch with eight tent sites, Modesto Reservoir with both tent and RV camping, and Caswell Memorial State Park Campground which maintains year-round operations for both tent and RV campers.
Seasonal conditions significantly impact the camping experience in the Oakdale region. Many reservoir-based campgrounds experience fluctuating water levels that can affect shoreline access and boat launching capabilities. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, making water recreation particularly appealing. Most campgrounds require reservations during peak season (late spring through early fall), with holiday weekends filling quickly. The majority of sites offer drinking water and toilets, though amenities vary widely between primitive and fully-developed locations. Cell service can be inconsistent at some campgrounds, particularly those in more remote settings. As one camper noted, "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 access represents the primary draw for many campers visiting the Oakdale region. Reviewers consistently highlight swimming, fishing, boating and other water recreation opportunities as major attractions. Most reservoir campgrounds feature sites with varying proximity to shorelines. Woodward and Modesto Reservoirs both support water sports with boat ramps and docks. Campers mention that waterfront sites are highly desirable but availability depends on reservoir levels. Several visitors note that campgrounds can become crowded and noisy during summer weekends and holidays. Multiple reviews indicate that shaded sites are limited at some locations, making summer camping potentially uncomfortable without proper preparation. Wildlife sightings, particularly deer, are mentioned across several campgrounds in the broader region, adding to the outdoor experience.
Best Camping Sites Near Oakdale, California (149)
1. Woodward Reservoir
16 ReviewsOakdale, CA7 milesWebsite+1 (209) 847-3304"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"
"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."
2. Modesto Reservoir
6 ReviewsWaterford, CA12 milesWebsite+1 (209) 874-9540$40 - $60 / night
"The positives:
The natural setting is beautiful — right by the water with lots of ducks, and the campsite layout is quite nice.""Price has gone up compare to past years but I like it due to it location. Certain time of the year it get pretty busy but we always camp on the far end of the campground where there is less people."
3. Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina
10 ReviewsFall River Lake, CA16 milesWebsite+1 (209) 881-0107"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."
4. Caswell Memorial State Park Campground
14 ReviewsRipon, CA19 milesWebsite+1 (209) 599-3810$30 - $175 / night
"Near by river provides access to canoeing or kayaking. A few hiking trails plus a good size group campsite area. Online reservation available."
"Most of the sites are close to the entrance to the river. The day use are is well shaded and provides easy hicks. Will definately go again."
5. Cole Ranch
3 ReviewsWaterford, CA10 miles+1 (209) 620-6218$60 - $90 / night
"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. "
7. Turlock Lake State Recreation Area Campground
6 ReviewsLa Grange, CA17 milesWebsite+1 (209) 874-2056$36 / night
"The campgrounds are nicely positioned with plenty of space for individuals or families. Adequate parking and tent area."
8. Acorn Campground
28 ReviewsValley Springs, CA29 milesWebsite+1 (209) 772-1343$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."
9. Tuttletown Recreation Area
11 ReviewsJamestown, CA24 milesWebsite+1 (209) 536-9094$150 / night
"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."
10. Glory Hole Recreation Area
8 ReviewsAngels, CA23 milesWebsite+1 (209) 536-9094$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 lake's water was too low for a swim though :( sad"
Recent Camping Photos near Oakdale, CA
159 Photos of 149 Oakdale Campgrounds
Mary K.
Woodward Reservoir
Eric A.
Cole Ranch
Eddie N.
Modesto Reservoir
Yvette M.
Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina
Ian F.
Caswell Memorial State Park Campground
Julie D.
Tuttletown RA - Chamise - BOR
Lori T.
USBR Gloryhole Rec Area Big Oak Campground
Susan Y.
Glory Hole Recreation Area
Jordan L.
Tuttletown Recreation Area
Eddie N.
Fleming Meadows Don Pedro Recreation Area
The Dyrt
Thousand Trails Turtle Beach
Jim M.
Angels Camp Campground and RV
Recent Reviews near Oakdale, CA
587 Reviews of 149 Oakdale Campgrounds
K R.
TravelerThousand Trails Yosemite Lakes
First time RV Park
Easy access parking site, great family lodge to spend cold days playing or watching videos. Great hiking trails to explore the area.
Dennis H.TravelerThousand Trails Yosemite Lakes
Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes
The Road (CA 120) from Oakdale to the campground is steep, narrow and has a lot of close quarter turns for a 40 foot motorhome pulling a 20 foot dual axle open car trailer with a Jeep on board. Occasionally the wheels of the trailer would cross into the center line on tight turns. Really didn't have any problems pulling the uphill grade with 400 hp. After you get to the top I do wish that they would mark the down hill grades when you come to them as there are a lot of ups and downs with curves once you are up on top. Definitely plan on using your engine brake. The weather was not hot when we made the trip but there are signs at the bottom of the mountain advising to turn off the air conditioning of your vehicle before making the ascent. Once there the RV park map that they gave us at check in showed us our site location but they did ot escort us. Some others did get an escort. The sewer pipe connection was recessed too far down in the concrete protective block/pad that I was not able screw my angled adapter into the provided threads. Ended up utilizing a large rock to retain the angled adapter into the poop chute. As others have said. Absolutely no cell signal from any carrier is available. Our neighboring camper advised that they were trying to use the park wi-fi but weren't getting very good reception. I let them use our starlink wi-fi as a common courtesy. Site 164 was level and a mix of sparse short grass and dirt. So guessing that when it rains, if it does we won't have to worry about the RV sinking into the grass as it is somewhat firm.
Vince N.
GuideUSBR Gloryhole Rec Area Big Oak Campground
Good spots, lousy neighbors
Staying 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.
Kimberly L.GuideDos Reis County Park
So much lost potential
The 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.
Delaney N.TravelerCaswell Memorial State Park Campground
Great getaway!
I 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!
LMTravelerModesto Reservoir
Great scenery, but easily ruined by inconsiderate campers
We recently camped at Vivian Cove and had a mixed experience.
The positives:
The natural setting is beautiful — right by the water with lots of ducks, and the campsite layout is quite nice. The stone seating areas are a great feature, and overall the location itself is very enjoyable. It feels more secluded compared to the main campground areas.Important notes about facilities:
Be aware that facilities here are very basic. While the site may be listed as having amenities, in reality:- There was no visible water access at the campsite
- No sinks or designated areas for washing dishes
- The restrooms are vault toilets (pit-style, no running water)
This may be expected for some campers, but it can be very different from what people assume if they see “restrooms” or “hookups” mentioned.
The main issue:
Our experience was heavily affected by a few groups who did not follow campground etiquette.- When we arrived shortly after check-in time (~4:15 PM), our reserved site was already occupied by another group
- Some visitors appeared to be using campsites without proper reservations
- A small number of groups were extremely disruptive at night — loud music, generators, and shouting well past quiet hours
While many campers were respectful and quiet, it only took one or two inconsiderate groups to significantly impact the experience.
Enforcement:
There does appear to be enforcement — staff/patrol came through in the morning and disruptive groups were eventually asked to leave. However, quiet hours were not effectively enforced overnight.Tips for future visitors:
- Bring earplugs
- Bring your own water and be prepared for no washing facilities
- Expect a more primitive camping setup
Overall:
The location is great, but the experience depends heavily on neighboring campers and expectations regarding facilit- DDawn C.Guide
Pardee Reservoir Recreation Area
Beautiful in Spring
Beautiful. Not crowded. All the RVs are on one shaded hillside. Nice to park in the trees. Electric, water, sewage hook up all easy access. Each site comes with fire ring and picnic table, all also in the shade.
- JJ B.Traveler
Glory Hole Recreation Area
Great time of year
Just got back from a weekend jaunt to Glory Hole. Marina and some boat ramps still not open for the season, but the hills were bright green—verdant comes to mind. And the male turkeys were everywhere, calling early in the morning. Not enough toilets for the number of campers (males—1 toilet to ~25 campers—you better be good at holding it!)
Guide to Oakdale
Oakdale sits at the transition between California's Central Valley and Sierra foothills, with elevations ranging from 160 to 190 feet. The area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F and mild winters. While reservoir-based campgrounds dominate the region, camping options vary significantly in their amenities and access to natural features.
What to do
River activities: Float trips. At Caswell Memorial State Park Campground, campers can enjoy a relaxing float downstream. "This campground is terrific. The park has a creek that runs from the camp ground to the public beach down below. You can take your floating stuff up to the camp area and literally float down stream in 45 minutes or so," notes Julie P.
Photography: Wildlife and seasonal changes. The area offers excellent opportunities for wildlife photography, particularly in spring and fall. "Great spot for photo enthusiasts, especially Spring & Fall," reports a camper from Tuolumne River Ranch. Deer sightings are common at several campgrounds.
Fishing: Lake and river options. Fishing is popular at most campgrounds in the region. At New Melones Lake, "Fishing areas were easy to get to and we watched numerous people enjoy water sports on the lake," according to Debbie R.
What campers like
Complimentary water equipment. Some campsites offer unexpected amenities. At Cole Ranch, Joyce L. shares, "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."
Waterfront camping options. Many campers appreciate direct water access from their sites. "On the T-Island sites you right on the water. Which is were we go. Both our kids family have Kayaks so that makes getting on the water great," says Craig & Linda L. about Woodward Reservoir.
Diverse campsite options. Campgrounds offer varied experiences depending on location preferences. At Modesto Reservoir, Russell L. explains, "Has two style of camping based on your camping style. To the left of the pay station, one side of the lake has disbursed camping with very minimal shade... then to the right on the pay station, other side of the lake has multiple camping loops with paved camping spots with water and electrical hookups."
What you should know
Weather preparation essential. Summer heat requires proper planning. "It was something like 107 when we were setting up the tent and most of the day time but on the lake itself, the temperature was perfect," reports Scott R. about camping at Tuttletown Recreation Area.
Wildlife encounters. Many campsites have regular animal visitors. "Deer and cats get into everything! And cats pee on everything!" warns Melissa P. at Lake Tulloch. At Tuttletown, another camper notes, "Lots of deer and raccoons."
Reservation periods vary. Some campgrounds have seasonal restrictions. At Woodward Reservoir, Jeff D. noted in 2020, "This campground is only open to Stanislas County residents." Check current policies before planning.
Maintenance inconsistencies. Campground conditions can vary widely. "The brush in the non hookup campsites needs to be cared for as it was knee high, an made it a little bit of a treck to the water," reports lanora G. about a campsite near Oakdale.
Tips for camping with families
Shallow water swimming areas. For families with children, look for campgrounds with gentle water entry. "Shallow and warm water great for swimming and water sports," says Russell L. about Woodward Reservoir.
Playground access. Some campgrounds offer additional recreational facilities. At Lake Tulloch RV Campground, Elisabeth notes, "The kids had fun playing at the playground, jet skiing, and making sand castles at the beach."
Best times for family trips. Timing matters for a positive family experience. "The park is pack during the summer months on the weekends but during the off season if is a great time to go during the week when children are in school," advises one camper.
Weekday advantages. For a quieter experience with children, consider mid-week bookings. "It was mid week and was not crowded at all," shares Melissa B. about Lake Tulloch, making it easier to manage family activities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles. RVers should research sites carefully. At Acorn Campground, "The campsites are big which provides plenty of room for shade structures," according to Trisha L., but another camper advises, "do your homework or be flexible, you might get an amazing lake side spot with a view, but not enough room for a tent."
Full hookup locations. Several campgrounds offer complete RV services. "Full hookups were use and enjoyed by all each time," reports Craig & Linda L. about Woodward Reservoir.
Dump station availability. Not all campgrounds provide sewer connections. Tuttletown offers "a nice dump station ($8 fee recommended.. pay station is at park entrance)," notes Hunter P.
Shade considerations. Many RV sites lack natural shade. "Most of the drive in camp sites had absolutely no shade (including nowhere to hang a hammock)," warns Scott R. about Tuttletown, important information for summer RV camping near Oakdale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there lake camping available in Oakdale?
Is there lake camping available in Oakdale?
Yes, there are excellent lake camping options near Oakdale. Lake Camanche offers family-friendly camping with easy lake access, well-maintained grounds, and clean facilities including hot water bathrooms. The South Shore area is particularly popular, though water levels can vary seasonally. Acorn Campground at New Hogan Reservoir provides spacious sites ideal for boaters with multiple boat ramps available. The campground is reasonably priced at $20 per night (discounted to $10 with Golden Age passes) and accommodates small trailers and tents, with some sites for larger RVs. Both lakes offer swimming, fishing, and water recreation opportunities.
Are there year-round camping options in Oakdale, California?
Are there year-round camping options in Oakdale, California?
Yes, there are year-round camping options near Oakdale. North Grove Campground — Calaveras Big Trees State Park is open throughout the year, offering spacious sites among the Giant Sequoias with hot showers and educational programs. The park provides a stunning seasonal experience as the landscape changes. McCabe Flat Campground offers well-maintained sites that are best in early spring when dust is minimal. For RV enthusiasts seeking year-round accommodations, Modesto Reservoir and Turlock Lake State Recreation Area remain accessible during winter months, though amenities may be limited during off-season. Always check current conditions and reservation requirements as seasonal changes can affect accessibility.
Where are the best campgrounds near Oakdale, CA?
Where are the best campgrounds near Oakdale, CA?
Oakdale offers several excellent camping options within easy driving distance. Woodward Reservoir is located just outside town and features paved loop campgrounds with full hookups for RVs and motorhomes. It's ideal for water sports enthusiasts with boat docks and swimming areas. For a more historical experience, Indian Grinding Rock State Historical Park Campground offers a well-shaded setting with 23 sites, perfect for a weekend getaway about 3 hours from the Bay Area. Other notable options include Modesto Reservoir, which offers similar amenities to Woodward, and Caswell Memorial State Park for a quieter experience along the Stanislaus River.
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