New Melones Reservoir

I was looking for hikes out in Calaveras County and came across recommendations for trails over at New Melones. It's one of the largest reservoirs in California and a short drive away from Angels Camp and Sonora. There's an $8 parking fee that's payable at a machine near the entrance (Ranger booth was unstaffed.) There's a few different entrances and recreation areas to the park and on my visit, I went to hike Angels Creek trail at the Glory Hole Recreation area entrance. While parking areas are signed, trails are not. Prepare before you go by researching routes and and getting a screen shot of the park map. I parked at the Buck Brush trailhead and picked up the Angels Creek trail loop from there. There was no trail sign or directional signs along the route but fortunately it was a simple loop trail and a friendly fellow hiker pointed me in the right starting point. Spring is the time of year to go! Lots of lush green hills, poppies and lupines along with cooler weather made this a pleasant, short hike. Nice views of the lake as well. Very few hikers but it was the day after a rainy spell and these trails are popular with mountain bikers, so I imagine they were waiting for things to dry out more. I'd come back and check out some other lakeside trails. None seem long or challenging so this is a more leisurely park. You can make a day trip out of it by heading over to Sonora for lunch.

If you're a boater, you best be checking this place out. My husband and I don't own a boat... but we like to get out and explore. There are tons of trails, picnic areas, camping areas, and shore fishing spots with moderately easy access. Multiple entrances to opposing sides of the reservoir with boat launches on both sides provided options to switch it up mid day. (Your parking pass gets you in on both ends) We also seen a plethora of deer lounging in the grasses and under the trees as we drove through. (Be mindful of the wildlife) Whether you're a boater (or renting one) a fisherman, hiker or just want to hang out by the lake- it's worth visiting atleast once!

New Melones is a nice place to camp. It's a beautiful reservoir but literally all of the campsites are so far from the water. I don't know about everyone else, but when I camp I like to be within about 20 feet or so of the water. That's the entire reason I'm there. The other issue I had is there is very few if any good flat places to put your tent that they have not covered in rock. That makes for a very difficult tent floor situation. There are picnic tables and fire rings with BBQ grates on them at each campsite but they are right on top of each other almost and very little room between them and where your tent is supposed to be setup. Way less than ideal. Add to that how far and uphill the bathrooms are and that showers are only located in bathrooms in select camping areas and all the sudden the amazing view becomes worth 3 stars.

S and I came to this large manmade lake for different reasons. He was thinking about fishing and I was thinking about wildflowers and birds. There were houseboats and fishing boats on the lake. I did not see any wildflowers, during dry years they are hard to find. The birds must have been napping because I did not see any. When I looked at the lake I could see how low the water level is. It's sort of frightening to see how little water is in this lake. The hills are also dry. None of this seemed to keep people away, the campgrounds were all full.

It's a lake. With water. No shade. But water so there's that. Overlook is cool. No shade there either so there isn't that.But it's a lake. Now with water!Improved.Yay.

Fabulous and little known New Melones is the product of damning the Stanislaus River over twenty years ago. During Spring, it is known as a location displaying abundant wild flowers. In Summer, it's a great destination for camping, boating, fishing, hiking and biking. There are time trials each week for you road cyclists.All year round, fishermen flock here to test themselves and each other in catching that elusive BIG FISH. Most are catching and releasing, or catching and eating! There are many tournaments.Pay the small use fee for either day or overnight use at this park cheerfully. It supports the nice facilities and keeps the riff raff out!Wave to the friendly rangers! They are your friends, keeping you and your stuff safe.

This was a fantastic place to boat and jet ski. The place is HUGE so you can truly feel like you are nearly own your own. The weather was nice, water a little choppy but very fun! The trails were nice and very easy walks.

Came for camping. Not much to do without a boat. No real bathrooms or showers as advertised on the reservation. Just a locked up bathroom building with two porta potties outside. Fortunately, they didn't smell very strongly but very disappointing. Our site had some shade but many others did not. The picnic table and area for tents was downwind of the fire. Basically the 1 star is for the lack of bathrooms. Obviously not a decision made by a woman.

Worst campground I've ever been to bathrooms are closed you leave your campsite people driving around stealing things every year the same thing you think they clean it up .. like to sign says your fee dollars are at work

A lot of fish were transported out of the lake to So. Calif. because of their parasite problem. People I know are not catching anything that usually catch a lot. I am glad I skipped getting my lic. this year.