Glory Hole Rec Area, CA

Glory Hole Rec Area in Calaveras County is located 1 hr 24 min northeast of Modesto, CA with an elevation of 1,140 feet. There are a total of 144 campsites including 20 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 122 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 65 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $18.00 to $22.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, boat ramp, swimming, marina, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.

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Campsite Reviews (193)

3.8 out of 5

5 star		42%
4 star		23%
3 star		14%
2 star		9%
1 star		10%

@YvonneY34518B5 · Camped on Mar 28, 2025 at Campsite #26

Peaceful and beautiful.

@yuhantFD5477A1 · Camped on Mar 21, 2025 at Campsite #60

The view is amazing and the restroom is in good condition

@RobinKD7C68A82 · Camped on Mar 7, 2025 at Campsite #25

Very clean and comfortable sites.

@GelinaS93DF7BB · Camped on Feb 22, 2025 at Campsite #71

I had a fantastic experience camping at the Glory Hole Recreation Area, specifically at the walk-in sites at the end of Iron Horse. These sites are on a peninsula, offering incredible 360-degree views of Lake Melones, which makes for breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. The sites are spacious, and depending on where you land in the loop, you'll enjoy a nice level of privacy. We DID go in February, so not sure how things change when it's peak season. The amenities were basic but convenient. The bathrooms were close by, and there was a water spigot right at the start of the walk-in sites, which was super helpful.One of the best parts of our trip was that the campground is pet-friendly. It was our first time camping with our dogs, and the peaceful atmosphere made it perfect for them. We were able to tie them to a couple of trees using long leads, and they had a blast running around the grassy areas and lounging with us at the campsite. It really made the experience feel more special, and they loved it!The peacefulness of the area really added to the experience, and I can definitely see myself returning in the future. It would be even more fun to bring along a couple of other families to stay in the walk-in sites together. Highly recommend this spot for anyone looking for a serene camping experience with gorgeous lake views, and especially if you're camping with pets!

@JaredB2564969 · Camped on Jan 30, 2025 at Campsite #18

The neighbors were tweakers. Yelling and cussing at their dog. Not the BORs fault. Just wasn't a good time. Ended up leaving my site a day early.

@AbelardoVC4E45 · Camped on Jan 28, 2025 at Campsite #21

Stayed for 1 week (bass fishing). Very nice, not too much traffic since it was during winter. Caught a bunch of bass 30 to 40 feet deep. Planning on returning very soon.

@NickC3088468 · Camped on Dec 20, 2024 at Campsite #106

Another great trip! We went last year for New Years Eve and Day and we loved how quiet it was. It was nice to escape the firework noise of our town. Also helps the fur babies not freak out. We were sad to see we were unable to reserve that night this year. Im wondering if the group that was East of us ruined it by setting off fireworks since they are illegal there (we were glad there wasnt a lot though). We liked seeing the presence of several park rangers this trip. We noticed there seems to be the same people living in the campground as last year (maybe they come this time of year). We were sad to hear the lake was closed to boats, due to the invasive mussel, but glad we had done research before bringing our boat again. We saw lots of unfortunate other boaters come in and fish from land or come in and turn right around. Hopefully it opens back up soon. The restrooms were clean and nice hot showers. We will definitely be back again. Hopefully next time with the boat!

@AndreaA2413770 · Camped on Nov 25, 2024 at Campsite #132

We went close to thanksgiving, Very clean bathrooms, toilet paper, hot water for shower, the campground was clean it was a pretty nice campground I would recommend this place!

@JohnA1386005 · Camped on Nov 11, 2024 at Campsite #119

The dump station was not working and no alternate was provided.

@MitchW83414437 · Camped on Nov 8, 2024 at Campsite #98

We come here frequently in the cooler months. We prefer the Ironhorse Campground due to better views of the water. We were in Big Oak due to Ironhorse being on a rotational closing. Lots of wildlife. Bathrooms and showers were working. Good fishing if you have a boat. Very hot in the summer. Angel Camp nearby for supplies. Good day trips up in the Sierra. We had one day of good rain and wind. Be prepared for wind off the lake at many times of the year. Not blowing all day but present if you overlook the lake. Be prepared to drop your E-Z UPs. The wind will shred them.

@MichaelS838841 · Camped on Nov 7, 2024 at Campsite #132

Fall is wonderful at New Melones. We had wonderful weather. The campground has large, fairly level sites with great views. It was quiet and beautiful.

@RickW4075177 · Camped on Nov 7, 2024 at Campsite #106

Alway enjoy GloryHole Camping!

@MARYP8430707 · Camped on Oct 30, 2024 at Campsite #111

Clean, quiet, affordable. Beautiful and relaxing.

@MichaelT862538 · Camped on Oct 29, 2024 at Campsite #6

Friendly and helpful staff

@EmeraldMC78516 · Camped on Oct 26, 2024 at Campsite #68

Overall, it was a good experience at New Melones Lake and I plan on coming back. I stopped here after hiking in Yosemite earlier in the day. Sites are close but I still felt like I had the privacy I needed given that my sites table and pit sit lower than the driveway. I liked having my chair perched on the driveway because it overlooked the lake a bit more. Bathrooms were clean and easily accessible. Ranger at the entrance was really helpful guiding me to my site since it was my first time visiting. Highlights were the beautiful sunset, clear sky so it was perfect for stargazing, and woodpeckers filled the trees around me. Guests were quiet, respectful, and friendly but maybe I got lucky.

@ChrisM9524349 · Camped on Oct 25, 2024 at Campsite #31

I saw a review from this past summer that the dump station was closed, but didn't know it was permanent. We found it but the gates are locked and there is brown tape over the sign, so the closure appears to be permanent. We were going to use it but wasn't an emergency, so we'll do it at the next CG. A common complaint of all campgrounds is a lack of signage and this place is no different. Driving thru the campgrounds there are few signs saying which way to go for your site. And though RV Life shows only the Big Oak Campground, we are actually in the Iron Horse campground across the road. The exit has two massive speed bumps but NO signs warning you about them nor are they painted yellow. The entrance booth is no longer staffed and is covered in unprofessional paper signs that have been taped up. What signs they do have are faded and unreadable. Our site (031) was a pull-thru and was level. The pad was very narrow and has Manzanita on the left and a little hill going up to the table on the right. I had to trim some branches. But we got tons of solar and excellent satellite reception. The place was a ghost town, probably only 20% occupied. No camp host in Iron Horse. Bathrooms smell clean, but the spider webs tell a different story. EV charging station out of order. Marina store closed until May. All the loops are on hill tops and most are unlevel. Tables and fire rings are either below or above your site about 5 to 8 feet with no steps. Place is very unsafe, no police presence or enforcement rangers. Of the two park staff I did see, one had a mouth full of chewing tobacco and could not speak when we tried to talk to him. This is the main reason for my 1 star rating. And their phone number has changed. They said their landline was cut and now they just have a cell phone, but didn't tell anyone.

@TroyS7E16EF1AC · Camped on Oct 23, 2024 at Campsite #14

Campsites were clean restrooms were clean and friendly staff. fishing was great. Great experience

@MarcusC9116490 · Camped on Oct 7, 2024 at Campsite #26

Wow. What a site. We have been travelling around California in a camper van, from the UK. We had never been to a recreational area like Glory Hole. It is huge and beautiful. When we were there in early Oct we were literally the only ones on the site. If you want beautiful setting and very quiet, then this is your place.

@LynneE501E58E0 · Camped on Sep 20, 2024 at Campsite #98

We love location and dont mind boondocking for a few days if the fishing is good

@LarryB8653126 · Camped on Sep 18, 2024 at Campsite #23

Dump station was not available. Needs to be fixed

@EdL8617434 · Camped on Sep 14, 2024 at Campsite #19

Good for nature lovers , peaceful & quiet.

@DariaK2924EE52 · Camped on Sep 12, 2024 at Campsite #16

Quiet, close to the water (although steep descent and hard to find a shore for swimming without drowning in mud), lots of animals (mainly birds), great coverage, showers!

@vincekDC320A25 · Camped on Sep 12, 2024 at Campsite #130

We liked the location to the lake. The tags were ready early so we could get in early, Nice. The sites were clean and quiet. Running water was close by to this site. Problems were: We were next to the showers, they were not working. We could not dump at the dump station, it was not operational. We ended up paying $25, to dump at the RV park in town. We ran our generator ( during normal hours), while we were at the lake fishing. Only to find out the Park Ranger came and shut off the generator and wrapped up my cord, telling our neighbor that generators could not be left on, and unattended. ( No where in the park rules and regulations is this stated, anywhere). We have camped at many lakes around New Melones and it is ALWAYS allowed. Our generator was on blacktop. We left the generator running because of the heat (close to 100 degrees), what would have happened if we had a small pet in there? Or our refrigerator ran on electricity only? When we got back, the inside of the trailer was 95'...We were confronted about pulling our boat up to the RV, and loading it for the day. We were NOT blocking the road and it was there maybe 15mins, or so. The ranger was nice, but we felt a little intrusive. All in all, we felt the Rangers needed to look out for real problems, like the trailer that was broken into down the road, in the same camping area.

@KevinM8804744 · Camped on Sep 1, 2024 at Campsite #99

Had a beautiful time, loved the lake

@JaceydA670928C · Camped on Aug 30, 2024 at Campsite #119

Super fun site. Had to walk a ways to get to the alcove where we could swim. Water was clear and refreshing. Bathrooms were clean and shower was hot. Would love to visit again.

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Glory Hole Rec Area, CA