Horseshoe Bend Recreation Area | Established Campground

February 24th, 2023 by rockingcm69

I have been camping here since the mid 1980’s. Yes there are rangers and yes you need to pay or you might meet an unhappy Ranger in the evening. It does get dry in the summer but still an old school camping experience. The RV loop does get a bit wild on some weekends and people don’t seem to care about walking through your campsite which drives me nuts. If you enjoy panning for gold or rockhounding this place has it. The stars at night are clear as can be and you may get beat up by a Wild Turkey at some point but, I personally think it’s a safe and fun place to hang out. It’s old and maybe needs some improvements but it’s camping not city life.

August 19th, 2022 by Jules.64

Camper Van camping: Lake has been very low for a few years so you will need to drive down to shore if you want to get to the water. Friendliest Rangers ever there. Showers are free and hot altho the interior could use some updating, but perfectly fine. RVers are noisy and think they "own" the place, so camp furthest away from them as possible. Lots of wildlife comes right in the camp, we had a bobcat walk right by us at night while we were eating. No fires allowed as the vegetation is really dry. this is Merced Water District so reservations would be made on their website, but I think you would be safe to just do a drive in. Not alot of camping going on there due to the low water levels. Picnic table and food storage (in some sites) are available. Restaurants and groceries are a short drive to Coulterville. Tends to be pretty hot there in summer.

November 15th, 2021 by rybinc

Had the place to ourselves on a Monday night. Ranger is friendly. No water in the lake at this time.

September 18th, 2021 by Frankazoid Travel

nice campground, ranger were there, super nice guy, recommended all the places around and gave full info on camping. paid 40 for hookup site even though i was in a tent but needed power. G loop has some cell coverage, others no so much. but in loop G no showers, had to walk down the road (close). shower is warm and free. lake was dry

July 20th, 2021 by celestialtravelers777

we stayed here for one night. this spot is definitely not free, and there were 2 park rangers driving around. there's probably close to 50 spots here overall and the lake is pretty dry. hookup spots are $40 and reg are $30. it would be pretty awesome if it was free tho and it should be free lol. not much to offer here! everythings dried up, the lake is a bit sad.. but the bathrooms were clean!

May 27th, 2021 by christina.murphy51015

uhh no showers from what I can see. also no park rangers. this rec area looks like an apocalypse struck and was abandoned honestly. I suppose it gets more visitors near the weekend according to reviews, but we stayed here on a Wednesday and Thursday and it was dead. no employees managing the place to accept our money, so we left some cash in an envelope and slid it under the door but I'm sure people don't pay to camp here and could get away with it. RV sites say reserved but nobody shows up to claim them, again I think because nobody is managing the place. bathrooms are clean, open, fully stocked. the RV sites have a wonderful view in the mountains. water and electric hookups. we stayed at an RV site with our van and nobody said anything. 1 other RV on a Wednesday, nobody using tent sites, nobody in the rec area. the lake is pretty much dried up. Lovely if you want some peace and quiet. it's just weird that nobody is here. we enjoyed our stay 100%. would definitely use this place again!

February 8th, 2021 by marlin.medrano

Spacious campground at $30 a night. Quiet and very dark, perfect to see stars. No fire pits but did have bbqs. Camp spots in the RV loop ovesees a raven. Only men’s bathroom was open with one functional stall. Showers were warm and did not get hot but were free.

Ranger was very friendly and was cool with us paying in the morning as we arrived after he’d left.

July 13th, 2020 by lexihaakonson

Horseshoe Bend Recreation Area on Lake McClure.
Lake-side campsites with showers, hook-ups, restrooms, picnic areas, dump site.
$8/day-use (including use of showers)
$30/night for basic campsite without hookups
$40/night for campsite with electric and water hookups
You can pick your spot before paying so you can get one with shade and a little awning over the picnic table. Some sites have almost no shade.
The campsite is pretty clean, with staff making rounds picking things up every hour or so. Staff was super nice!