Camping At Lake Camanche Recreation Area

Whether you’re staying a few hours or several days, there are so many ways to enjoy Lake Camanche, you’re sure to find more than enough fun to satisfy the whole family.

The Lake Camanche Recreation Area consists of two shores, North Shore and South Shore, each with electronic gates that open at 5:00am and close at 11:00pm year-round.

Shaded day-use and picnic sites with tables and barbeques are spread all throughout the Lake Camanche Recreation Area, with tables, barbeques, and convenient restroom facilities.

With 762 sites spread across the Recreation Area’s hundreds of acres – many with immediate lake access, and others a short walk away – tent and RV camping is easily enjoyed all year at both North and South Shores, with such campsite amenities as tables, barbeques, water, restrooms with hot showers, and laundry facilities. [rates here] Alcohol-free campgrounds are also available on both shores. For those who want to “rough it” a little more, there are 20 undeveloped primitive sites (on-water) available for tent camping or a self-contained RV.

Recently renovated, full-service RV parks [rates here] featuring full hook-ups, including 30 and 50 amp electrical service, are available at the North Shore.

Self-contained RVs may stay at the North Shore, or in one of the two RV Parks on the South Shore:

– Monument: 99 sites near two fishing ponds and the lake
– Miners Camp: sites can be rented for up to 14 days (some available for rentals up to six months); short walk from basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts; sites do not have fire rings

Click HERE for Campground Maps (PDF)

Movies are back at the Lake Camanche Recreation Area South Shore!

Starting Memorial Day weekend (May) and running through Labor Day (September), movies are shown on Saturday nights at the South Shore amphitheater right across from the Gold Run campground. Admission is FREE. Movies start at twilight/sunset.

south camanche lake

If your idea of living in the wilderness involves less ground sleeping, and more indoor enjoyment, Lake Camanche Recreation Area can satisfy that itch too.

Lake-view cottages can accommodate groups of one person in size up to ten, and come complete with a full kitchen with cooking utensils, air conditioning, television, and barbeques. [rates here] While the South Shore has only single-room cottages, the North Shore offers both single and adjoining room units.

Motel units are also available, however not all of them have kitchens.

For large groups, Lake Camanche Recreation Area offers Group Sites [rates here] that are separate from the general camping areas, but still close to all the amenities:

South Shore – Sugarloaf accommodates 64 campers
North Shore – one 12 person group campsite; one 24 person group campsite; two 72 person group sites

Convenient clubhouses available for meals, meetings and social gatherings are located at both the North and South shores.

South Shore
11700 Wade Lane
Burson, CA 95226
(209) 763-5178

North Shore
2000 Camanche Rd
Ione, CA 95640
(209) 763-5121

Camping@CamancheRecreation.com

To make a reservation call (866) 763-5121 or go online to

Lake Camanche Recreation Area General Fees for 2011:

Day Use Rates
Fishing Access: $4.00
Boat Launching: $8.50; $6.50 Off-Season
Car & Boat Fee: $16.50; $13.50 Off-Season
Car: $11.00 ($7.00 after 3pm on non-holiday weekdays); $7.00 Off-Season
Motor Bike: $11.00
Dog: $4.00
Mini Bus / Van (10-20 passengers) $18.00
Bus (21 or more passengers) $33.00

Annual Passes
Car: $140.00/year; $70.00/Seniors & Disabled
Fishing Access: $80.00/year
Boat Launch: $130.00/year; $65.00/Seniors & Disabled

Visit http://camancherecreation.com/hours/fees.php for more information on fees including 6 month and 3 month passes, as well as 5-Use Punch Cards.

lake camanche

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