New Melones Lake
Located on the Stanislaus River just 9 miles from Sonora, New Melones Lake makes a convenient destination for people living in central California, from Merced to Sacramento and west to the Bay Area. The reservoir is operated by the Bureau of Reclamation.
The entrance gate closes at night. Although you can exit at any time, be sure to check the hours the gate is open when planning your arrival. From May 1 to September 30 the gate is closed from 11:00 PM to 4:00 AM. In April and October it closes at 10:00 PM and from November 1 - March 31, 9:00 PM.
New Melones Recreation Activities
New Melones Lake Fees
- Day Use - $8
- Day Use + Boat Launch - $10
- Annual Day-Use Pass - $50
- Annual Day-Use and Boat Launch Pass - $70
Boating New Melones Lake
New Melones Lake is popular with boaters who like to spread out and explore long twisting arms or dip into secluded bays. Smooth water is great for water skiing, wake boarding, and jet skiing. Houseboats are common on the lake as well as sailboats, kayaks, canoes, and rafts.
Marinas
New Melones Lake Marina is the only one on the lake. They provide everything a boater would need from dockside fuel to boat rentals, from slips and moorings to launch ramps. There are 6 launch ramps located around the lake, although they can become a little bit congested on holiday weekends. Overnight vehicle and trailer parking is allowed at any launch ramp.
Fishing
New Melones Lake rewards all kinds of anglers. Bass fishermen will find a good population of small and largemouth bass, while trout enthusiasts will land both brown and rainbows. Other fish in the lake include catfish, crappies, and bluegill.
Campgrounds
There are two major campground areas located on New Melones Lake, one in the Tuttletown Recreation Area and the other at the Glory Hole Recreation Area. Tuttletown has three campgrounds and Glory Hole has two. There are a number of private RV parks and campgrounds along the Highway 49 corridor near New Melones Lake.
Lodging
There is no lodging right at New Melones Lake, but ample lodging at reasonable prices can be found in nearby Columbia, Sonora, Angels Camp, and Murphys.
Scenery
New Melones Lake resembles many of California's other foothill reservoirs. Scattered oaks dot the surrounding hills. In late summer as water levels drop, expanses of barren shore begin to appear. The Highway 49 bridge and the Parrott's Ferry bridge across the lake provide dramatic scenes for boaters exploring the main Stanislaus arm.
Nearby Communities
Nine miles to the south of the lake are the gold rush towns of Columbia and Sonora. Columbia is now a State Park, open to the public without charge. Both communities are rich in history. To the north is Angels Camp, home of the famous Jumping Frog contest held every May. And just a few miles east of Angels lies Murphys, another gold rush town with something of interest always going on. Only a short distance to the west is the grand city of Stockton.
Stockton is home to beautiful shaded parks, professional sports, the Stockton waterfront, art and music, and the University of the Pacific and Delta College. Discover it all on our sister website Stockton Treasures.
Sunshine Rafting Adventures
Sunshine Rafting Adventures provides affordable, family-friendly rafting trips on the Stanislaus River out of Knights Ferry, CA. These class I-II self-guided trips last 3-5 hours and consist of a 7.5-mile float down the scenic Stanislaus River. Paddles, life jackets, boats, shuttle and parking are all included. Find more at Knights Ferry Rafting.
