Michele O.

We camped here for a week in early March, and had almost the entire campground to ourselves. There are actually two separate campgrounds at Pardee Recreation Area. The one near the Marina (Lake View Campground) was very busy, and quite full; having both an RV Park section and a campsite section. They have seasonal rates in the RV Park section for long-term rentals, with hook ups included. A few sites in the campsite section had hookups, but most sites did not. The Marina has a store, and boat rentals, too. We stayed in the Oaks Campground, which has green manicured lawns and beautiful oak trees everywhere. There are no hookups, but the are some very large sites with a table and fire ring. The staff need to do some tree trimming, though. We have a tall RV, and some sites have low hanging branches, so beware. Our stay was very peaceful and relaxed. Husband fished every day (no luck, unfortunately, but he had fun). No one seemed to be catching much despite the recent fish plants; some were saying the water was still too cold. Our site was $25.00 per night, with a $10.50 reservation fee, which seems reasonable; but then there are all the other fees. $5.00 a day for the kayak, and $7.50 a day to fish. Also, $5.00 per dog per day. So there are a lot of little fees that add up very quickly. The fishing fee, though, goes 100% to stock the lake. This is a very beautiful area, and there is a lovely trail that goes along the shoreline. I don't think I would stay here during the summer, however, just because of the heat. IMPORTANT TO KNOW: no bodily contact allowed with the lake. (There are two swimming pools that open during summer.)

Chris L.

I had occasion to visit the recreation area this morning, in order to obtain a hiking permit. The young lady working at the booth was extremely helpful in helping me get my hiking permit. Fisherman come very early to this location. The employee stated that the fishermen are coming in at 5 am! She also explained where the restrooms were located. If you're not familiar with Pardee lake, you are in for a real treat. This is one of the most beautiful lakes in California. The lake is also the water supply for much of the East Bay. Besides the Pardee Recreation Area, there is a set of trails called the Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail. That's the trail for which you will need a hiking permit.

Olive T.

This place is perfect for fishing . The sites are a really nice size. The lady's at the front really nice. There is a two pools for water fun with an enormous tree that is go gorgeous and shade giving. I would definitely come again. Bathroom are nice and plenty around l. Showers 8am-10pm 3 stalls .. laundry area. Super nice. We just so happen to go when they have a little hosted tiernamente.. party of 6 and we they loved it . Also there is a Cafe so if you don't feel like cooking it's perfect. No swimming in the Lake. Only in the pool.

Alexandra C.

Review Title: What a HUGE, colossal RACKET this place is running. Gosh, where do I begin with this review.. Our group of ten reserved two camping sites in the Oaks area from Weds-Sunday. Cost up front for the reservation: 260$. Two days later, Friday morning, 2 more cars joined, taking the total amount of cars from 2 to 5. Friday night comes around, and one more car joins, and is also charged as well, plus for their dog, when we weren't charged for our dogs, merely the two adults in the car and the nights we were staying. Now, each site has two cars per, in the cost for renting each site. SO, when all three cars were charged 20$ each to park, and our two female friends were also charged for things we all were not charged for, something was fishy. I'm hedging my bets on this place being run by closed-minded folk, honestly.. Since we are in for ... 320$ now?, I'm looking around for something that makes this spot worth that amount of dough, since we can't swim there at all (it's a week before the pool opens... btw, that pool should be heated and available year round for these prices...) -- steaming hot biffy toilets without a sink to wash your hands in (again, the Ritz-Carlton prices we paid, plus the fact that it's a reservoir campground, you'd think a sink would be included... nope) so -- no swimming, and the shade is just non existent, so if if you don't have an Easy-Up, it is going to be torture.) Let's get to last night: 10:40PM, we are all winding down because we have had it and want to leave early) a huge diesel truck rolls in, high-beams on, through camp.. which is whatever, the site is literally right next to the road (yucky unto itself), and slows down real creepy-like. Then, this monster truck rolls around the loop and drives down the hill looking at the sites, the the beams aimed right at our faces, for at least 5 minutes while they were being schmucks. This group of campers finally settled on a spot directly across from us, and proceeded to "WOOOO!" and cackle into the night while playing loud music. Like, I got maybe 2 hours of sleep due to these jackasses, who are probably still camped out there now.. I could tell they'd recently mowed, and we saw the guy pumping the biffy in 100 degree heat. That is really about it for the "positives" of this place. In summary: These guys inaccurately charge customers, it's possible the persons at the window pockets the cash maybe?; the sites were WAAAY too expensive; the grounds offer too little; no actual security to keep people from coming into the campground at 10:40pm, possible anti-gay (no purple roof here!) and no noise control, at all. Hell, even the ground was painful, I'm used to the freezing hard ground of the Sierras, this was just full of deep gopher holes everywhere that claimed my ankle a few times. Haven't done the RV camping, won't. Will not be coming back, this was probably the worst camping trip I've ever been on. We caught one fish. That was the only good thing.

Jesse P.

Stayed at Site 209 on the 4th of July weekend in 2015. Reserved a site about a month before visiting. Once I got to the campgrounds I was not completely happy with the site I had reserved. The staff was very friendly and nice about letting me pick a new site with no hassle at all. The Lake View Campground is the side of the campsite when you first enter the grounds. This area is closer to the pool, general store, marina, is generally more shaded and closer to one of the only flush-able toilets. If you have kids that want to use the pool this is definitely the side you want to stay on. If you might be the less prepared camper that might need a couple runs to the general store this is the side for you. If you can not handle not having shade, this is the side for you. The Oaks Campground is a small drive over the hill once you enter the grounds. This area is not within walking distance of the pool, general store or marina. This area of the grounds is in general a little less shaded by trees. There are no flush-able toilets on this side with everything being a port a potty. If you would like a little more secluded area and might be a little more experienced camper, this is more likely your side. More shade is needed throughout the campground, which it looks like they have started to plant some of the Lake View Campground side. More planting are definitely needed on the Oaks Campground side. Some strategic brush could be cut down to give better views of the lake throughout the campsite. With some work a couple of sites with lake view could possible be created too. A flush-able toilet on the Oaks Campground side would be nice and could take some of the use off of the port a potty's. There were a number of squirrel/rodent holes that would effect a number of campsites and pitching tents. Would be nice if they could tackle this problem to some degree. Ants were also somewhat prolific and could put a large damper on someones party if they ended up in the wrong spot. Good stay overall.

D P.

Great place from all the staff to the floating toilets clean well maintained. Stunning scenery a special place