Directions
From Sacramento, take Highway 99 south to Highway 12 east. At San Andreas, take Highway 49 south for approximately 15.2 miles. Turn right onto Glory Hole Road and follow the road 3 miles to the recreation area.
From Central California and the Bay Area, take Highway 108 east from Modesto to Sonora, then take Highway 49 north approximately 17 miles. Turn left onto Glory Hole Road and follow the road 3 miles to the recreation area.
Phone
209-536-9094
Activities
BIKING, BOATING, CAMPING, INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS, FISHING, HIKING, WILDLIFE VIEWING, DAY USE AREA, SWIMMING SITE, SWIMMING, MOUNTAIN BIKING, PADDLE BOATING, KAYAKING, STAR GAZING, BIRDING, NON-MOTORIZED BOATING, WATER ACCESS, JET SKIING, WATER SKIING
Keywords
GLORY,IRONHORSE,BIG OAK,NEW MELONES LAKE,NEW MELONES,GLORY HOLE,GLORY HOLE RECREATION AREA (CA)
Related Link(s)
California State Road Conditions
Overview
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. Popular activities on and around the large, yet uncrowded lake include fishing, boating, water skiing, wake boarding, jet skiing, sailing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, wildlife viewing, rock climbing, hiking, biking, horseback riding and picknicking. The New Melones Visitor Center offers year-round interpretive events and a museum highlighting natural and cultural resources.
Recreation
Hiking, fishing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, boating, sailing and road and mountain biking are just a few of the activities available in Glory Hole Recreation Area. Camping is also permitted in designated campsites. Equestrian trails are also present in the Peoria Wildlife Mitigation Area and open for the general public. Other interesting sites include Natural Bridges, which can be accessed from Parrott’s Ferry Road and has a nice hiking trail and a creek that flows through a marble cave. The Table Mountain Trail provides visitors an opportunity to hike to the top of an extensive lava flow which occurred over nine million years ago.
Facilities
Visitors will find a full-service marina, amphitheater, playground, horseshoe pits, day-use areas and a fish cleaning station. The campground provides modern amenities like flush toilets, showers and drinking water. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided at each campsite.
Natural Features
New Melones Lake is located in Northern California between the historic gold rush towns of Sonora and Angels Camp. The terrain varies from rolling hills to steep marble cliffs, and the vegetation consists of oaks, Ponderosa pines, chamise and buckbrush shrubs.
Visitors can experience the beauty of New Melones by hiking the many trails in the Tuttletown and Glory Hole Recreation Areas.
The climate is Mediterranean with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. For those who wish to venture outside the main recreation areas, there are many unique places to visit. Overall, the geography is quite varied and provides many opportunities for all types of recreation.
Nearby Attractions
Glory Hole Recreation Area is surrounded by many places of natural beauty including Natural Bridges, Camp Nine, Yosemite National Park, Stanislaus National Forest, Moaning Caverns, Big Trees State Park and Columbia State Park.
Angels Camp Museum, Calaveras County Museum and Sonora Military Museum also provide great opportunities for learning interesting information about the area.
Surrounding communities are popular vacation and retirement destinations and provide necessary services and shopping opportunities. Golfing, snow skiing, river rafting, commercial caves, historical railroad and Native American museums are close by as well.
