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.
Keeping our trails beautiful and dog-friendly is crucial to ensure everyone enjoys the great outdoors. Some people want to ban dogs from public spaces, but we believe dogs are essential members of our community. They bring joy, companionship, and energy to our hikes. To keep our trails open to our furry friends, we must be responsible. Pick up after your dog, keep them on a leash where required, and respect other trail users. By doing our part, we can ensure that our beloved pups remain welcome on all trails, allowing your pack to continue exploring and enjoying nature together.
