Glory Hole Recreation Area

New Melones Lake

Glory Hole Recreation Area is located at New Melones Lake on the Stanislaus River. The 12,500 surface-acre lake is the fourth largest reservoir in California and is situated along the edge of the Mother Lode, the rich gold vein that prompted the California Gold Rush of 1849. At an elevation of 1100 feet, the diverse and resource-abundant Foothill Oak Woodlands hug the 100 miles of shoreline. Popular activities on and around the large, yet uncrowded lake include fishing, boating, water skiing, wake boarding, jet skiing, sailing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, wildlife viewing, rock climbing, hiking, biking, horseback riding and picknicking. The New Melones Visitor Center offers year-round interpretive events and a museum highlighting natural and cultural resources.

Visitors will find a full-service marina, boat launch, day-use areas, barbeque grills and a fish cleaning station. The campground provides modern amenities like flush toilets, showers and drinking water. There is also an amphitheater for Ranger programs and horseshoe pits in the Ironhorse campground. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided at each campsite.

Notifications and Alerts

The Glory Hole fish cleaning station is out of service.
*Beginning Thursday October 29th, Big Oak campground will be open to online reservations only. Same day reservations are now possible through Recreation.gov*

SPECIAL COVID-19 INFORMATION:

Campground openings are based on the recommendations of the local County Health Officers. Rangers will be enforcing social distancing guidelines until further notice. The following guidelines will be in effect:
- Campsite occupancy will be enforced. Please review the occupancy limit for your campsite prior to reserving the site.
- Campers may not have visitors at any time at their campsites.
- No Social gathering between campsites will be allowed (i.e. group dinners, parties, communal campfires, etc).
- The reservation holder for the campsite is responsible for enforcing these rules.
Campers that do not comply with these rules will be directed to leave the campground and their reservation will be canceled with all applicable fees applied.

Need to Know

*Campgrounds are open to online reservation only. Same day reservations are now possible through Recreation.gov*

SPECIAL COVID-19 INFORMATION:

Campgrounds opening are based on the recommendations of the local County Health Officers. Rangers will be enforcing social distancing guidelines until further notice. The following guidelines will be in effect:
- Campsite occupancy will be enforced. Please review the occupancy limit for your campsite prior to reserving the site.
- Campers may not have visitors at any time at their campsites.
- No Social gathering between campsites will be allowed (i.e. group dinners, parties, communal campfires, etc).
- The reservation holder for the campsite is responsible for enforcing these rules.
Campers that do not comply with these rules will be directed to leave the campground and their reservation will be canceled with all applicable fees applied.
If the entrance station is closed, please proceed to your reserved campsite. There will be one or two green car tags on your campsite's post. Please hang these inside your vehicle on the rearview mirror for re-entry into the park. Please find a Camp Host or Park Ranger if you have questions.
All vehicles must stay on paved roads and parking spots.
Two vehicles permitted in standard campsites. One vehicle permitted in walk-to sites.
Switching campsites after check-in at the park is not permitted.
Campfires are only allowed in fire rings or grills in designated areas.

During National Weather Service "Red Flag Warning" days, wood and charcoal fires will not be permitted.
There is a 14 day camping limit within a 30 day period.
The dump station is open. It is an additional $8 for registered campers or $4 for Senior/Access pass holders. Please pay using the automated fee station at the entrance.
Showers are located in each campground and are $0.50. Please bring your own quarters.
Due to the condition of our trees (for your safety and for the safety of our natural resources) tree hammocks are not permitted.
If New Melones Lake elevation is below 870', boat ramps are not available. "Water front" campsites may also not be available. Park maps depict an elevation around 1050 feet. Current lake elevation: http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/queryDaily?NML
Recreation area entrance gates are closed at night during the posted hours.

Vehicle entry after the gates are closed is prohibited. Exit at any time.

https://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/newmelones/planning-visit/index.html
For additional information see 43 CFR Parts 423 and 429. Information is available at the New Melones Administrative Office or online at: https://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/newmelones/planning-visit/camping.html

Natural Features

New Melones Lake is located in Northern California between the historic gold rush towns of Sonora and Angels Camp. The terrain varies from rolling hills to steep marble cliffs, and the vegetation consists of oaks, Ponderosa pines, chamise and buckbrush shrubs.

Visitors can experience the beauty of New Melones by hiking the many trails in the Tuttletown and Glory Hole Recreation Areas.

The climate is Mediterranean with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. For those who wish to venture outside the main recreation areas, there are many unique places to visit. Overall, the geography is quite varied and provides many opportunities for all types of recreation.

Nearby Attractions

Glory Hole Recreation Area is surrounded by many places of natural beauty including Natural Bridges, Camp Nine, Yosemite National Park, Stanislaus National Forest, Moaning Caverns, Big Trees State Park and Columbia State Park.

Angels Camp Museum, Calaveras County Museum and Sonora Military Museum also provide great opportunities for learning interesting information about the area.

Surrounding communities are popular vacation and retirement destinations and provide necessary services and shopping opportunities. Golfing, snow skiing, river rafting, commercial caves, historical railroad and Native American museums are close by as well.

Recreation

Hiking, fishing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, boating, sailing and road and mountain biking are just a few of the activities available in Glory Hole Recreation Area. Camping is also permitted in designated campsites. Equestrian trails are also present in the Peoria Wildlife Mitigation Area and open for the general public. Other interesting sites include Natural Bridges, which can be accessed from Parrott's Ferry Road and has a nice hiking trail and a creek that flows through a marble cave. The Table Mountain Trail provides visitors an opportunity to hike to the top of an extensive lava flow which occurred over nine million years ago.

Contact Information

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GLORY HOLE RECREATION AREA WHITTLE RANCH ROAD ANGELS CAMP CA 95222

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 209-536-9094

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From Sacramento, take Highway 99 south to Highway 12 east. At San Andreas, take Highway 49 south for approximately 15.2 miles. Turn right onto Glory Hole Road and follow the road 3 miles to the recreation area.

From Central California and the Bay Area, take Highway 108 east from Modesto to Sonora, then take Highway 49 north approximately 17 miles. Turn left onto Glory Hole Road and follow the road 3 miles to the recreation area.

Available Campsites

Photo Gallery

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