Best Glamping near Waterford, CA

Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina and Lake McSwain Recreation Area feature elevated glamping experiences with comfortable accommodation options beyond standard tent sites. Both locations combine natural settings with resort-style amenities, offering glamping cabins with modern conveniences. Lake Tulloch provides cabin accommodations with basic kitchen facilities including small refrigerators, while Lake McSwain features lakeside glamping options with easy water access. At Yosemite Pines RV Resort, glamping yurts provide a distinctive circular lodging experience with proper beds and furniture. The region's glamping resorts typically include electricity, comfortable sleeping arrangements, and proximity to water recreation. One guest shared, "We spent one night right in front of the water, amazing view for the sunset."

Visitors at these glamping destinations enjoy direct access to recreational activities centered around the lakes and natural surroundings. Lake Tulloch glamping sites provide swimming areas with a sandy beach, perfect for cooling off during hot weather months. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with deer frequently wandering through the glamping areas, creating memorable nature encounters. Lake McSwain offers fishing directly from near glamping accommodations, plus hiking trails accessible from the property. The on-site stores at these glamping resorts stock essentials, snacks, and sometimes breakfast options, eliminating the need to leave the property. According to a camper, "The marina isn't normally open in February, but they opened due to the volume of campers that weekend. They stocked up on the basics and even had hot coffee and breakfast burritos in the morning."

Best Glamping Sites Near Waterford, California (23)

    1. Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina

    10 Reviews
    Fall River Lake, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +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."

    2. McConnell State Recreation Area Campground

    6 Reviews
    Atwater, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 394-7755

    $30 - $200 / night

    "over night & day sites, hot showers and indoor restrooms surrounded by beautiful nature."

    3. Lake McSwain Recreation Area

    11 Reviews
    La Grange, CA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 378-2521

    $30 - $40 / night

    "My family and I stayed at Lake McSwain Campgrounds for a weekend during a mountain bike race at Exchequer."

    "There are free warm showers and the bathrooms are fairly clean. If you are staying in a tent make sure to layer up and bring lots of blankets because nights can get very cold."

    4. Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging

    23 Reviews
    Groveland, CA
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 962-7690

    "Bathrooms were very unclean but the park gets the job done as a place to sleep while visiting Yosemite. No Verizon or T-Mobile coverage. Wifi available for purchase."

    "With a pool, petting zoo, a corral where they have a fire and s'mores followed by a movie, this is a great place to camp with the kids."

    5. Tuttletown Recreation Area

    11 Reviews
    Jamestown, CA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 536-9094

    $150 / night

    "It is very dry, the Lake New Malones was down quite a bit. We swam in the lake the water was great. However, we did not bother with the Kayaks. It’s really not a kayak lake more of a speed boat lake."

    "New Melones was not a top destination but it was close to a very special place for us, Natural Bridges."

    6. Acorn Campground

    28 Reviews
    Valley Springs, CA
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 772-1343

    $20 / 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."

    "There was no formal check-in system to the campground, and finding the location of campgrounds 120-130+ was confusing because of the signage. Otherwise, a very serene lake and good site."

    7. Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes

    41 Reviews
    Eastman Lake, CA
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Really beautiful park, stream running through, campfires allowed. Friendly helpful staff. Somewhat difficult drive up the 120 especially if you are in a large rig."

    "Whip out your wallet and empty on it on the check-in desk of this thousand trails (or whatever) park."

    8. Diamond Gulch

    10 Reviews
    Groveland, CA
    32 miles
    +1 (209) 484-3137

    $30 - $89 / night

    "We arrived in the dark. We had reserved a site with a small two person tent already set up for us."

    "Has water, portable toilets and heated showers. Campsite has Some shade from the sun. Also has a couple glamping tents aswell."

    9. Angels Camp Campground and RV

    5 Reviews
    Angels, CA
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 736-0404

    "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."

    "Close to lots of cute towns and wineries."

    10. Lake Camanche

    18 Reviews
    Wallace, CA
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 763-5121

    $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."

    "Wicked August heat, BUT there’s the lake!

    5 Stars — were it not for the SLOBS who preceded us!!"

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Glamping Reviews near Waterford, CA

206 Reviews of 23 Waterford Campgrounds


  • H
    Sep. 27, 2023

    Diamond Gulch

    Cozy little spot

    We stayed here for the night prior to a Hetch Hetchy backpacking trip. We arrived in the dark. We had reserved a site with a small two person tent already set up for us. It was a bit hard to find in the dark, but the camping area is fenced in under an oak grove so eventually we found the stump with our name on it next to the tent. In the future, I think I’ll just bring my own tent and deal with the small hassle of setting it up—the tent provided was fine, but definitely would not have been a good choice if there had been rain. And you could tell it is essentially set up 24/7—some tiny insects living inside etc. The campsites themselves were sufficiently spacious and the host has nice fire pits with fire wood provided for each site, plus picnic tables. Basic portapotties plus some running water for bathrooms. Fellow campers were an interesting mix of folks from all over, though I wish the owner had quiet hours posted and communicated—our immediate tent neighbors sat out chatting and laughing until nearly 1am which was annoying. The coyotes and owls at night were lovely.

  • Steve M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 26, 2024

    Acorn Campground

    Decent but concretized camping area

    Not expensive and has bathrooms, garbage, fire pits and picnic tables but no privacy and unfriendly camping ground covered with gravel and few level places to comfortably pitch a tent. Many families here but some partiers till midnight and an idiot who ran his generator all night during quiet hours

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Diamond Gulch

    Great campground

    Great campground accessible for most campers but large RVs might struggle. Has water, portable toilets and heated showers. Campsite has Some shade from the sun. Also has a couple glamping tents aswell.

  • Amanda V.
    Oct. 3, 2021

    Angels Camp Campground and RV

    Relaxing weekend away

    First time up and it's so nice and peaceful. Stayed in the cabin that sleeps 6. 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. Love that this place is open all year long

  • J
    Jun. 23, 2021

    Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging

    Great option if Yosemite’s full

    Great option if your looking for full rv hookups. If you’re tent camping, this might not be the best place. Bathrooms were very unclean but the park gets the job done as a place to sleep while visiting Yosemite. No Verizon or T-Mobile coverage. Wifi available for purchase.

  • Heather D.
    Jul. 1, 2020

    Yosemite Ridge

    Nice main loop, but...

    Summary as of late June 2020:

    -Super nice, helpful manager -Great location for Yosemite/Hetch Hetchy -Large, clean restrooms -Inconsistent electricity -Bear Lot is right next to Hwy 120 -Coyote Lot is literally a new gravel parking lot, 4x4 required -No wi-fi in Bear Lot or Coyote Lot

    First of all, I have to say that the manager (owner? I never caught his name) was very kind and tried his best to accommodate everyone there. The location is great for trips to Yosemite, and if you’re lucky enough to reserve a spot in the ‘main loop’ (I don’t see this ability online), you’ll probably love it. The bathrooms are large and clean and there is laundry, a small playground, a small pool (closed during our stay), and a privately run store on-site.

    We brought our 28’ toy hauler here at the end of June 2020. We had reserved a spot in Coyote Lot, which we were told over the phone would be no problem. Upon arrival, the manager had his doubts but told us to “put the truck in 4x4 and give it a go!” Coyote Lot looks like a newly, semi-leveled gravel parking lot with full hook-ups… no trees or shade. There were some longer spots, but there was no way our trailer would fit in the one we reserved. The lot also exits through a run-down residential grouping of trailers, some occupied and some abandoned.

    The manager put us in Bear Lot, no question, after it was determined Coyote Lot would not work. This lot is a little more established than Coyote, but still a gravel parking lot with electricity (inconsistently for many) and water hook-ups. The lot is pretty level and separated from Hwy 120 by a wooden fence. There are some picnic tables and fire pits, but not enough for each spot. We didn’t end up having to use our generator like others did. There were tent campers and rv/trailers in this lot.

    Side note: the Rainbow Pools swimming hole that is recommended on the website was WAY overcrowded and I do not suggest going unless maybe you go in the early morning. There were tons of people, tons of litter, and no respect for nature… very sad to see.

    Photo are of Bear Lot

  • Colleen-Rick W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2020

    Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes

    Beautiful campsite

    Really beautiful park, stream running through, campfires allowed. Friendly helpful staff. Somewhat difficult drive up the 120 especially if you are in a large rig. No cell reception at all so you need to drive to the top of a Hill or into Groveland

  • Katie K.
    Aug. 16, 2020

    Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina

    Loved it!

    These were quite decent campgrounds, kind of close together but decent sized sites. 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. Since we got there on a Saturday night, we were surprised to see that the campsite directly to our left and directly to our right were empty. By Sunday night, every campsite within sight was vacated so we had a lot of freedom to do what we wanted without having to worry about disturbing other people. 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 (we were making s’mores). There’s a campfire spot, a water source, a picnic table, & a grill set up at each site (for the most part), with trashes nearby. 

    The Lake was nice! We went swimming in the swimming area and there were a surprising amount of people there via Covid. We went in the little shop briefly but from what I could tell they had a lot of useful things campers may need varying from firewood, ice, snacks. fast food, alcohol, & camping/fishing supplies. You can have 2 cars at your campsite but we only had one, the second would be an additional charge. You can bring pets but also for a charge. If you have campsites like 1-20 you’ll have to walk clear across the campgrounds to get to the water or make a quick drive down with your party. We just drove which was better for us after having swam. 

    Only complaint is the porta-potties. We went from Saturday to Monday & by the end of Sunday there was no more toilet paper, high-piled waste, & when I called to try to inform them to restock the toilet paper no one answered. I brought my own toilet paper so that wasn’t the worst situation but definitely bring some just in case! Master that sumo squat to hover over that thing!

  • Sarah L.
    Oct. 1, 2016

    Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging

    Hard to get to but has buses to Yosemite

    The campground has nice views, but wow, what a scary drive up a curvy mountainous road to get to it. Most of the campground is clay dirt, so it's quite dusty and the RV spots are not paved. They had a pool, but it was filled with rowdy children so we didn't go in. The campground also has a pet wash we wanted to use, but it wasn't working. There is also a random petting zoo, and I felt bad for the animals because it was quite small. Their redeeming factor were the buses to Yosemite. Although it was over an hour each way, we were thankful to have them since we only had our RV.


Guide to Waterford

The Waterford area features distinct camping seasons with summer daytime temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F while spring and fall offer more moderate conditions for outdoor activities. Most glamping accommodations near Waterford, California sit between 500-1,500 feet elevation, creating varied landscapes from oak woodlands to pine forests. Water recreation remains central to the camping experience with several lakes offering shoreline access during the non-winter months.

What to do

Swimming options: Tuttletown Recreation Area offers swimming areas with varying water levels. "We camped out for 2 nights in spot 96 in the height of summer and just before all the fires started. New Melones was not a top destination but it was close to a very special place for us, Natural Bridges. The temperature was perfect on the lake itself."

Fishing opportunities: Lake Camanche provides year-round fishing access, even during winter months. "We camped twice at this campground on the South Shore. The lake has a North Shore Campground as well. We were the only ones camping on Christmas Weekend and we had a few neighbors when we went again in mid January. Fishing is awesome!"

Hiking trails: Lake McSwain Recreation Area features trails near camping areas. "We have stayed here many times now in the off season. There's great trails, fishing and very friendly staff. The sites are clean and operational and everything is explained well prior to your stay."

Wildlife viewing: Diamond Gulch offers ranch-based wildlife experiences. "We loved waking up to cows and turkeys, and an incredible sunrise view. There were such sweet little birds grazing nearby at sunset. At night, we didn't hear much other than the sounds of nature and the wind."

What campers like

Stargazing opportunities: Many glamping locations near Waterford offer exceptional night sky viewing. At Tuttletown Recreation Area, "It was so dark that I was able to do some great astrophotography." Diamond Gulch campers noted, "Thanks, MID! We camped next to some friends and stayed up around the campfire and made smores. The stars were so so beautiful, you can see the milky-way."

Access to water recreation: Acorn Campground provides direct lake access. "This campground is great if you have a boat or jetski, as you can moor your boat close to your site. The lake is fantastic and the campsites are big which provides plenty of room for shade structures."

Affordable glamping options: Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging offers yurt accommodations at reasonable rates. "We stayed in a Yurt and it was absolutely amazing. We ended up coming in really late but they left our key for us. The price for the yurt was like $100 a night and when we split that up, it was nothing!"

Seasonal quiet: McConnell State Recreation Area Campground provides peaceful off-season camping. "I love this park and specially love the off season. I usually haul in just day hours and stay worry and bother free!"

What you should know

Water levels fluctuate: Lake levels at several campgrounds change dramatically throughout seasons. At Acorn Campground, "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."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Waterford, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Waterford, CA is Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina with a 3.7-star rating from 10 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Waterford, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 23 glamping camping locations near Waterford, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.