New Melones Dam and Reservoir are part of the Central Valley Project – New Melones Unit operated by the Bureau of Reclamation, located 60 miles upstream on the Stanislaus River from the confluence of the San Joaquin River. The reservoir has a capacity of 2.4 million acre feet of water with 100 miles of shoreline, and a water surface area of 12,500 acres.
New Melones Lake is located between the historic mining towns of Sonora and Angels Camp on Highway 49 and is nestled in the Foothill Oak Woodlands of the Sierras at the 1100 ft elevation. Summer temperatures range from 85-100F and winter range from 32-60F.
The Gloryhole Recreation Area has two campgrounds (Big Oak and Ironhorse) with 144 campsites, 3 day-use areas, 30 miles of hiking/biking trails, a fish cleaning station, a swim beach, and 2 boat launch ramps with parking lots.
Tuttletown Recreation Area has 3 campgrounds (Acorn, Chamise, and Manzanita) with 161 campsites, 2 day-use areas, a boat launch ramp with parking lot, an RV dump station, and fish cleaning station.
Dogs are allowed to join you everywhere; however they need to be on a leash at all times.
