Glory Hole Recreation Area
New Melones Lake — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Sonora, CA, CA
Price: From $18 per night
Price range: $18–$22 per night
Rating: 3.9 out of 5 (437 reviews)
Season: Year-round
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Showers, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/glory-hole-recreation-area to be notified when sites open up.
Glory Hole Recreation Area sits on California's fourth largest reservoir with 100 miles of shoreline and diverse water activities including fishing, boating, and swimming. The 143-site campground offers lake views and access to Foothill Oak Woodlands at 1,100 feet elevation.
Wildlife alert: Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, Gray Fox, Mule Deer, Wild Turkey, and Western Fence Lizard present in area
Insider tips for Glory Hole Recreation Area: Gates close at 9pm - arrive before then or plan accordingly Book early as this is a popular federal campground Bring self-contained RV setup as there are no hookups
Skip Glory Hole Recreation Area if: You need RV hookups - none available at most sites. You cannot arrive before 9pm gate closure. You require flat campsites - some sites are uneven.
Best time to visit Glory Hole Recreation Area: Year-round — Campground operates year-round according to verified data.
Nearby campgrounds: Tuttletown Recreation Area (SONORA, CA), Coyote Point (VALLEY SPRINGS, CA), Deer Flat Boat In Campground (Valley Springs, CA), Acorn Campground (VALLEY SPRINGS, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Glory Hole Recreation Area
Cell signal at Glory Hole Recreation Area (Sonora, CA): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage · Verizon 5G: 100%
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage · T-Mobile 5G: 100%
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryGates close at 9pm - arrive before then or plan accordingly
Book early as this is a popular federal campground
Bring self-contained RV setup as there are no hookups
Campground operates year-round according to verified data
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
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. Take the exit for 120 E/99 N. Continue on 120 E, then take 108 E to 49N. Turn left onto Whittle Ranch Road and follow the road 2 miles to the recreation area.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — New Melones Lake fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at New Melones Lake before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Glory Hole Recreation Area cost per night?+
What season is Glory Hole Recreation Area open?+
Does Glory Hole Recreation Area have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Glory Hole Recreation Area?+
How do I make reservations at Glory Hole Recreation Area?+
What is the cell service like at Glory Hole Recreation Area?+
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●Data sources on this page
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