California / Calaveras County

Glory Hole Recreation Area

Open — Open year-round with reservations available through Recreation.gov. Gate hours vary by season. Limited to 14 consecutive nights per 30-day period. Due to invasive Golden Mussels in the Delta, all boaters must complete a 30-day quarantine before entering the lake; speak with ranger staff at the launch or entrance from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to begin the quarantine period.

About

Glory Hole Recreation Area is located at New Melones Lake on the Stanislaus River in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. At 1,100 feet elevation, the campground sits along the edge of California's historic Mother Lode gold vein. The reservoir spans 12,500 surface acres with 100 miles of shoreline surrounded by oak woodlands, chaparral, and open grasslands. The recreation area includes two campground areas: Big Oak and Ironhorse. Both offer standard and walk-in campsites suitable for tents and RVs, though no hookups are available. Each site includes a paved parking pad, BBQ grill/fire ring, picnic table, and tent area. Restrooms with coin-operated showers, drinking water, trash facilities, and dump stations serve the campgrounds. New Melones Lake Marina provides camper supplies, snacks, and food service. Activities include fishing, boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, sailing, swimming, kayaking, wildlife viewing, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Rangers offer weekend interpretive programs at the Ironhorse Amphitheater. The area features diverse terrain from rolling hills to marble cliffs, with opportunities to see deer, osprey, bald eagles, and other wildlife. Nearby attractions include Natural Bridges, Table Mountain lava flow trail, Yosemite National Park, and historic gold rush towns.

Directions

From Sacramento take 99 S, 88 W and 12 E to San Andreas. Take 49 S for approximately 15 miles. Turn right onto Whittle Ranch Road and follow the road 2 miles to the recreation area. From Central California and the Bay Area take 80 E, 580 E then 205 E to 120 E in Manteca. Continue on 120 E, then take 108 E to 49 N. Turn left onto Whittle Ranch Road and follow the road 2 miles to the recreation area.

Nearby Campgrounds