Camping at Lake McClure: 4 Campgrounds (+ Things to Know)
California’s Lake McClure is a great place for a camping trip.
Located in the Sierra Nevada foothills in central California, Lake McClure offers a nice backdrop for camping among the rolling hills with pine and oak.
There are over 20 miles of lake to explore between boating, water skiing, and fishing.
Whether you enjoy the lake or prefer to stay on the shore, there is little development and few crowds at the lake so you can escape for a truly relaxing camping trip.
Here are 4 campgrounds at Lake McClure plus things to know before camping there.
Interested in more lake camping in California? Check out these camping spots at Lake Tahoe, Bass Lake, and Lake Elsinore!
Things to Know About Camping at Lake McClure
- Reservations can be made at these campgrounds up to a year in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite at these campgrounds.
- Check here for notifications regarding which facilities are open and whether wood fires are permitted at the time of your trip. Propane and charcoal fires are allowed year round.
- If you’re looking for supplies, the nearest town is Coulterville to the northeast of Lake McClure.
- Dogs are permitted at the campsites, but not other areas of the campgrounds such as swimming areas.
4 Campgrounds at Lake McClure
There are 4 campgrounds on Lake McClure, all of which are owned and operated by the Merced Irrigation District. Here are descriptions of each campground so you can choose the one that’s right for you. They are listed in clockwise order, starting from the southwest going around to the eastern tip of the lake.
McClure Point
McClure Point campground is on a peninsula on the western shore of Lake McClure.
This campground offers the most water views of the four campgrounds.
McClure Point has 100 campsites for tents and RVs. About half of the sites have water and electric hookups.
There are lots of amenities at McClure Point including a marina, boat rentals, a boat launch, a swimming lagoon, a fish cleaning station, and free showers.
Barrett Cove
Barrett Cove is also on the western shore on Lake McClure, north of the McClure Point campground.
This is the largest of the four campgrounds with over 200 campsites suitable for tents and RVs. About 90 sites have hookups for water and electric.
Barrett Cove has many of the same amenities as McClure Point plus a café, campground store, and playground with a volleyball court.
Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend is on the northern shore of Lake McClure near Coulterville, CA.
The Horseshoe Bend campground is about the same size as McClure Point, but has fewer sites with water and electric hookups.
Amenities at Horseshoe Bend include a boat launch, seasonal camp store, swimming lagoon and showers.
Bagby
The Bagby campground is near the eastern tip of Lake McClure.
It’s the smallest and most remote of the four Lake McClure campgrounds.
There are about 30 campsites at Bagby including 10 campsites along the water. Both tents and RVs can be used here.
The only amenities at Bagby’s campground are a boat launch, fish cleaning station, and showers and restrooms.
If you found this article helpful, check out even more camping articles!
As always, enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Leave no trace on all of your adventures.
