News Release Archive

New Melones reopens camping, day use, and Natural Bridges Trail and begins selling passes

Media Contact: Mary Lee Knecht, 916-978-5100, mknecht@usbr.gov

For Release: June 23, 2020

SONORA, Calif. – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and local public health authorities, the Bureau of Reclamation is increasing recreational access at New Melones.

Beginning June 23, New Melones will reopen access to a variety of recreational facilities. Included in this opening is camping and day use at the Tuttletown Recreation Area and the Natural Bridges trail and associated parking area. Parking on Bureau of Reclamation land is limited and when full no further visitation will be allowed. Camping will require a reservation. Information on reserving a campsite can be found at www.recreation.gov or at 209-536-9094.

In addition to these openings, the lobby to the New Melones Lake Visitor Center and Museum will open from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, allowing visitors to purchase interagency, annual day use and boat launch passes. The museum portion of the visitor center will remain closed and building capacity limits will be implemented to meet state facility reopening guidelines.

The Department of Interior is working with federal, state and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a site-by-site basis.

Since the health and safety of the public and our employees is our number one priority, and due to maintenance issues, the following facilities will remain closed:

  • Campgrounds and day use areas in the Glory Hole Recreation Area
  • Tuttletown RV dump station
  • Glory Hole fish cleaning station and RV dump station
  • Administration Office and Visitor Center Museum exhibits

Marina is open, customers should contact the marina for more information at 209-785-3300.

Visitors are advised that primitive restrooms may not be fully supplied with hand soap or hand sanitizer. All visitors are advised to continue to follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Check our website for updates at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/newmelones/ or call our Administration Office at 209-536-9094, ext. 0

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.