Overview
Tuttletown Recreation Area is located at New Melones Lake on the Stanislaus River. The 12,500 surface-acre lake is the fifth largest lake 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 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.
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.
Recreation:
Hiking, fishing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, boating, sailing and road and mountain biking are just some of the activities available in Tuttletown Recreation Area. Equestrian trails are also present in the Peoria Wildlife Mitigation Area and open for the general public. Camping is also allowed at Tuttletown.
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, a multi-lane boat ramp and a fish cleaning station. The campground provides modern conveniences like flush toilets, showers and drinking water. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided at each campsite.
Nearby Attractions:
Tuttletown Recreation Area is surrounded by countless 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 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 also located nearby.
Contact Information:
Mailing Address:
TUTTLETOWN RECREATION AREA
7200 REYNOLDS FERRY ROAD
SONORA CA 95370
Phone Number:
Information: (209)536-9094
Weekends: (209) 536-9543
Special Events:
The events listed here are not intended to be an all inclusive list. Please contact the park for further details.
- Mountain Bike Peoria Wildlife Area
Saturday, March 9, 10 a.m.
Peoria Wildlife Management Area
Come experience the far side of New Melones Lake where miles and miles of trails meander through the Peoria Wildlife Management Area. Join Ranger Alicia to discover the trails less traveled and learn why it is designated a Wildlife Management Area. This strenuous mountain biking event will cover 10 miles of trails. Participants will need to bring their own bike and helmet. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. To register, please contact Ranger Hilary at 209-536-9094 ext. 236. We will meet at the Peoria Wildlife Equestrian Staging Area on Peoria Flat Road at 10 a.m. on Mar 09 2013
- Saint Patrick's Day Pot O' Gold Hunt!
Sunday, March 17, 10 a.m.
Heron Point Trail, Tuttletown Recreation Area:
Leprechauns have hidden a pot of gold along the Heron Point trail! Follow the rainbow of clues focusing on the natural resources that flourish in this area and see if you strike it rich! This is an easy 2.5-mile hike around the Heron Point loop trail. We will meet at the Tuttletown Entrance Station at 10 a.m. and caravan down to the Heron Point trailhead. Participants will be given a parking pass for the duration of the event. on Mar 17 2013
- Mushrooms of New Melones Lake
Sunday, March 24, 10 a.m.
Table Mountain
Join Ranger Hilary in discovering some of the fungi around us. Learn about their importance, identification,
habitats, life cycles and dangers. Search for fungi along this easy 1-mile trail that leads to the base of Table
Mountain. Participants will have the option of returning on their own or participating in a strenuous climb to
the top of Table Mountain to enjoy the grand views of New Melones Lake. We will meet at the corner of
Rawhide Road and Shell Road at 10 a.m. on Mar 24 2013
- Holiday Geocaching
Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m.
Buck Brush Trail, Glory Hole Recreation Area
Can you outsmart the Bunny? Bring your GPS and find out! Ranger Greg has set up a Geocaching course
along the Buck Brush trail. Learn tips of the trade as you come out to join the Geocaching craze! Fabulous
prizes will be awarded. Participants must bring their own equipment. This is an easy 2-mile hike around the
Buck Brush loop. We will meet at the Glory Hole Entrance Station at 10 a.m. and caravan down to the Buck
Brush trailhead. Participants will be given a parking pass for the duration of the event. on Mar 30 2013
- Wildflowers of the Mother Lode
Sunday, April 7, 10 a.m.
Angels Creek, Glory Hole Recreation Area
Come out and enjoy a springtime hike while learning how to identify some of the wildflowers that blanket the
Mother Lode this time of year! This is a moderate 2.5-mile hike along the Angels Creek trail. We will meet at
the Glory Hole Entrance Station at 10 a.m. and caravan down to the Angels Creek trailhead. Participants will
receive a parking pass for the duration of the event. on Apr 07 2013
- "Gee Whiz" Point Hike
Sunday, April 14, 10 a.m.
New Melones Lake Visitor Center
Learn about the little engine that could. Experience the Mother Lode's past while we follow the tracks that traversed through the winding foothills from Angels Camp to Jamestown. Come see for yourself why this vantage point was given the name "Gee Whiz!" This is an easy 2.5-mile hike along the old Sierra Railroad tracks. We will meet at the New Melones Visitor Center at 10 a.m. and caravan to the Highway 49/Stevenot Bridge Overlook to begin the hike. on Apr 14 2013
- Customer Appreciation Day!
Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
New Melones Dam Overlook, Peoria Wildlife Area
This is our day to say "Thank You" to everyone who visits New Melones Lake! The $8 day use fee will be waived in the Tuttletown and Glory Hole Recreation Areas. We will also open the access road to the Dam Overlook in the Peoria Wildlife Area. Venture out to experience this rare vantage point of the dam. A booth will be set up at the overlook to answer your questions about the history of New Melones Lake and how the reservoir came to be! on Apr 20 2013
- Coyote Creek Kayaking Excursion!
Sunday, April 28, 10 a.m.
New Melones Lake Visitor Center
Coyote Creek inlet tells a geologic story of the Mother Lode. Join Ranger Hilary to discover some of these
formations as we traverse up Coyote Creek. We will launch from the Mark Twain Day Use Area and traverse
across the lake and up Coyote Creek. This will be a strenuous paddling tour. Expect to be out on the water for
4 hours. This outing is open to experienced swimmers with their own kayak or other non-motorized boat.
Participants need to bring their own boat, USCG-approved life jacket (properly fitted and serviceable),
paddles, sunscreen, hat, water and lunch. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. Please contact Ranger Hilary at 209-536-9094 ext. 236 to reserve your place at this event. We will meet at the New Melones Lake Visitor Center at 10 a.m. on Apr 28 2013
- Cinco de Mayo History Hike
Sunday, May 5, 10 a.m.
Duchess Mine Trail, Parrotts Ferry Bridge Parking Area on Calaveras County Side
Learn about the trials and tribulations Hispanic miners faced during the California gold rush as we hike along the Duchess Mine trail. This is a strenuous 3.5-mile hike to the top of Table Mountain. We will meet at the parking area on the Calaveras County side of the Parrotts Ferry Bridge at 10 a.m. on May 05 2013
- The Flora and Fauna of Natural Bridges
Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m.
Natural Bridges
Hike along with Ranger Hilary to discover the diverse plant communities down the Natural Bridges trail. This is a moderate-to-strenuous downhill 1-mile hike. Participants may return up-hill on their own. Feel free to bring a lunch and swimming suit and stay to enjoy the rest of the afternoon! We will meet in the parking lot of Natural Bridges located off of Parrotts Ferry Road at 10 a.m. No dogs are allowed on the trail. on May 11 2013
- Angels Creek Kayak
Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m.
Angels Creek Boat Launch, Glory Hole Recreation Area
In the spirit of the Frog Jump of Calaveras County weekend, we will traverse up the Angels Creek inlet in search of some jumping frogs. Starting at the Angels Creek Boat Launch in the Glory Hole Recreation Area, we will hug the shoreline and head up Angels Creek inlet. This outing is open to experienced swimmers with their own kayak or other non-motorized boat. Expect to be out paddling for 3 hours. Participants need to bring their own boat, USCG-approved life jacket (properly fitted and serviceable), paddles, sunscreen, hat, water and lunch. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. Please contact Ranger Hilary at 209-536-9094 ext. 236 to reserve your place at this event. We will meet at the Glory Hole Entrance Station Area at 10 a.m. Participants will be given a parking pass for the duration of the event. on May 18 2013
