New Melones Spring Hours Go Into Effect April 1
Sonora, CA – No fooling. Beginning April 1, those who enjoy the recreational amenities at New Melones Lake will have more ways and hours to do so, despite worsening drought conditions.
Beginning Wednesday, April 1, the season’s first set of extended hours will go into effect, according to the Bureau of Reclamation’s Central California Area Office. That means that the Glory Hole and Tuttletown recreation areas’ gates, which now open at 4 a.m. will begin staying open an additional hour until 10 p.m. However, due to low lake levels, the Angels Creek boat launch ramp in the Glory Hole Recreation Area, as well as its adjacent restroom and fish cleaning station will remain closed. Beginning April 1, portable restrooms will be ready on site in the Angels Creek parking lot and in the Buck Brush day use area; Osprey Point will also re-open, joining the other day use areas and trailheads at Glory Hole and Tuttletown that have remained so.
Boating and fishing enthusiasts will be gladdened that the marina at Glory Hole will remain open with boat rentals, slips, marine fuel, the retail store and other services available as long as lake conditions are favorable. Boat launching, however, is possible only at the Glory Hole Point low-level concrete ramp. According to recreation officials, when the lake level drops below an elevation of 860 feet, an adjacent natural surface ramp may be available for use at the user’s risk. Secondary ramp users are advised to launch and retrieve their watercraft with four-wheel drive vehicles. Due to the continuing drought condition impacts on lake levels, the Tuttletown launches and floating restrooms will not be available at all this recreational season.
For campers, the good news is that, beginning April 1, Tuttletown’s Manzanita Campground will re-open but due to drought conditions Chamise and Acorn campgrounds will not. Glory Hole, Iron Horse and Big Oak campgrounds, now open, will remain so through the season. For more information on available facilities and hours at New Melones, click here.
