A-frame cabins in Lake Don Pedro

Boating, fishing, and shoreline camping are the highlights at this Gold Country reservoir.

100% (45 reviews)

United States
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California
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Lake Don Pedro

100% (45 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Lake Don Pedro

Top a frames sites in lake don pedro

99%

(61)

Little Arnold A-Frame

1 site · Lodging1 acre · Arnold, CA

Arnold is well-located for a weekend getaway (~2.5 hours from the East Bay and ~3 hours from SF) and as a convenient base for your adventures in the Sierras. If you haven't been to Arnold and Gold Country, there is so much to explore! The cabin is on a small parcel in a quiet neighborhood, removed but close to town. We're just a 5-minute walk to the Arnold Rim Trail (with 30+ miles of hiking), 10-minute drive to Big Trees State Park, 15 minutes to the town of Murphys (great wineries, pubs and dining), 40 minutes to Bear Valley Ski Resort, 10 minutes to White Pines Lake, 45 minutes to Lake Alpine. We’re happy to recommend our favorite spots for hiking and swimming. If your trip is taking you farther afield, we’re 2 hours from Yosemite, and 2.5 hours from Lake Tahoe via the less-traveled Highway 4 in warmer months. Or you can can always just relax with a view in the cabin. Learn more about this land: Our classic 1970s A-frame cabin offers a simple space of retreat with lovely light, view of the trees and uncluttered decor. Great for couples and also solo travelers! Please note there is a 2 night minimum on weekends (if overlaps with a Fri or Sat) and a 3 night minimum for holiday weekends. We're well-located for a weekend getaway (~2.5 hours from the East Bay and ~3 hours from SF) and as a base for your adventures in the Sierras. There's lots to explore nearby with Big Trees State Park and Stanislaus National Forest within minutes, lakes, skiing, mountain towns and wine-tasting, or just relax at the cabin and take in the view. The cabin is on a small parcel in a quiet neighborhood, removed but close to town. We're a 5-minute walk to the Stanislaus National Forest/Arnold Rim Trail (we provide a custom map for nearby hikes), 10-minute drive to Big Trees State Park, 15 minutes to the town of Murphys (great wineries, pubs and dining), 40 minutes to Bear Valley Ski Resort, 10 minutes to White Pines Lake, 45 minutes to Lake Alpine and Utica and Union lakes. We’re happy to recommend our favorite spots for hiking and swimming. If your trip is taking you farther afield, we’re ~2 hours from Yosemite's Big Oak Flat entrance, and 2.5 hours from Lake Tahoe via the less-traveled Highway 4 in warmer months. We do our best here to strike a balance between simple amenities and comfort. A reminder that we are in the country, so the cabin is best suited to those who like a more rustic getaway. There is no AC, television, or microwave. We've gone without a TV and landline, but WiFi means you can stream to your own devices and make WiFi calls on your cell. We have loads of board games and puzzles. The kitchen has pots/pans/kettle, toaster, mini waffle iron, Brita pitcher, and rice cooker. For coffee drinkers, we have a coffee grinder, french press and pour over dripper. Help yourself to organic coffee and tea! The cabin is mainly heated by a gas fireplace (looks like a wood stove, but does not need wood). We recommend bringing layers and slippers in the winter while the cabin warms up. Like most cabins in the area, there is no AC, but we provide room fans. Cell reception is unreliable throughout the Sierras except for Verizon, however at the cabin, WiFi calls are available through all carriers --to make calls, enable the setting on your cell phone. The cabin comfortably fits 4 people, with 1 bedroom, a sleeping loft (no door) and 1.5 bathrooms. The downstairs bedroom has a queen bed, and the loft has a full-size mattress and its own half bathroom. We have a flat parking pad instead of a driveway, which makes things easier in the winter months. The rental rate covers a professional cleaning fee and linens and towels! Guests will need to take their garbage and recycling with them to the local refuse center which is on the way out.

A-frame cabins in Lake Don Pedro guide

Overview

In the foothills of the western Sierra Nevada, Lake Don Pedro is popular among boaters, campers, and anglers. With 160 miles of shoreline, 13,000 surface acres, and numerous coves and inlets, there’s plenty of space for houseboating, swimming, fishing, water skiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, and sailing. Two full service marinas, three boat ramps, and boat rentals make it easy to launch a boat. A renowned bass fishing lake, Don Pedro is also home to trout, salmon, catfish, and bluegill. As for camping, three developed campgrounds cater to tent and RV campers with full amenities, while unlimited dispersed camping is available along the undeveloped shoreline.

Where to go

River and Creek Arms

The very northern park of Lake Don Pedro is split between the Tuolumne River Arm and the Woods Creek Arm. The developed Moccasin Point Campground is on the eastern end, near highways 120 and 49, and offers tent and RV sites with full hookups, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and BBQ grills. Dispersed shoreline camping can be found along both the Woods Creek Arm and Tuolumne River Arms, especially toward the extreme ends of the lake.

Upper Bay, Middle Bay, and East Bay

The Upper Bay, East Bay, and Middle Bay make up the central portion of Lake Don Pedro. The Wreck-Bay Boat-in Camp Area sits at the western end of the Upper Bay offering fire rings and vault toilets, while the Graveyard Creek Boat-in Camp Area is near Rock Island in the Middle Bay. Dispersed camping is also available at most of the shoreline in this region.

South Bay and West Bay

The southern end of Don Pedro Reservoir offers the most amenities for campers. At the western end, find tent and RV sites with electricity and water hookups at Blue Oaks Campground, also home to BBQ grills, restrooms, showers, a store, and a dump station. A nearby group campground has space for up to 200 people, and the Fleming Meadows Campground, near the visitor center and dam, also offers campsites with full amenities. Dispersed camping is available in certain actions of the southern and western shorelines.