Reserve Your Campsite Here!
Pardee Reservoir Camping opens February 13, 2025.
Recreation Area opens February 14, 2025.
Hours of Operation:
Marina | Store | Café
Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Pardee Reservoir Boat Launches closed until further notice.
BOAT RENTALS ARE AVAILABLE!
- Measures to reduce risks associated with boats;
- Increased water sampling within the reservoirs;
- Other operational changes to minimize the risk of a mussel infestation.
Please call 209-763-5121 extension 1 to make overnight camping reservations. At least a 3-day notice is required to make a reservation. Cancellations, rescheduling, or modifications must be made at least 3 days prior to your reservations date.
Pardee Recreation Area has been creating positive memories for visitors since its opening in 1958. Located along the Mokeumne River, Pardee Recreation Area provides stunning views and diverse activities for all visitors, old and young. The park lays in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range of Northern California and is just twelve miles southwest of Jackson. The facility is reachable from Highway 88 or Highway 12 and is near the Jackson Rancheria Casino. The overwhelming beauty of this recreation area provides for guests a state of peace as they witness the tranquility of geese floating on the water top, excitement as wild turkey dart across their path, and joy as they interact with the friendly staff.
From fishing to hiking, Pardee Recreation Area offers an abundance of activities to keep even the most active groups busy over a long weekend. Over 100 campsites, each with a fire pit and picnic table, are located within the park, interspersed with incredible oak trees that provide plenty of shade for the sites. Two swimming pools, several day use areas, boat rentals, fishing and breathtaking hiking trails make this park full of adventure and areas to explore. The park is also home to several friends including wild turkeys, deer and various fish species. To fuel visitors’ adventures, the Lake Pardee Cafe offers tasty breakfast and lunch options and the best 50/50 Freeze you’ll find.
As the center of EBMUD’s drinking supply, to comply with state law which prohibits body contact with the lake, personal watercrafts, water skiing, and lake swimming are not permitted.
Marina | Store | Café
Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Wet slips are available for rent on a daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonally.
Boat Rentals are available at this time.
| Daily | Season Pass | Senior Season Pass | |
| Vehicle (Car / Motorcycle) | $12.00 | $136.00 | $59.00 |
| Vehicle & Boat | $18.00 | $228.00 | $114.00 |
| Large Van or Bus (10+ Passengers) | $22.00 | 21+ Passengers – $38.00 | N/A |
| Dog | $6.00 | $55.00 | N/A |
| Standard Boat Launch | $12.00 | $127.00 | $55.00 |
| Cartop Boat Launch | $5.00 | $55.00 | $22.00 |
| Fishing Access | $7.25 | $200.00 | $200.00 |
| Pool Use (Wristband) | $3.00 | $200.00 | $2.00 |
In addition to rental boats, the marina provides ice, wood, drinks, groceries, camping and fishing supplies. California State Fishing Licenses are also available.
At the center of the marina is a vast 10 lane launch ramp that allows for a smooth launch into the reservoir for all boaters.
All boats must be surveyed and are subject to inspection before launching to prevent Quagga Mussels invading EBMUD waters. Vessels from Southern California and out-of-state are prohibited from launching on Pardee Reservoir unless they have gone through a decontamination process.
A gas station is located by the marina store.
Boats rentals are available at this time.
| Type | # People (weight dependent) | Deposit | Minimum | Each Add’l Hour | Half Day | All Day |
| 14′ Motor Boat | 3-4 max | $105 | $45/2 hour min | $12 | $85|$110 |
| 16′ Deluxe Boat | 4-5 max | $175 | $78/2 hour min | $20 | $125 | $200 |
| Fishing Pontoon | 7 max | $225 | $150/2 hour min | $25 | $150 | $275 |
| Deluxe Pontoon | 8-10 max | $300 | $120/2 hour min | $45 | $175 | $350 |
| Large Pontoon | 8-10 max | $300 | $120/2 hour min | $45 | $175 | $350 |
| Kayaks, Canoes, Peddle Boats | 1-2 max | $52 | $15/1 hour min | $10 | $60 | $100 |
Senior/Disabled/POW Discount: 50% off all day rate on Non-Holiday Weekdays only. Age 62+
For added entertainment, the park also has a horse shoe station and two pools (one for small children and one for all others).
The Pool is typically open Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend. Please contact the Lake Pardee Gate for more information on early opening. 209-763-5121
Cafe
The café is located just past the entrance of the recreation area next to the pool.
Serving breakfast and lunch on weekends, the café is an excellent place to grab a bite! The current menu is displayed below, but the chef
always has something new up her sleeve! Their menu includes several tasty frozen treats for those hot summer days at the lake. The patio in the back of the café is a great place to enjoy a refreshing drink or sandwich.
Breakfast:(Served all day) |
Lunch: |
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Day Use & Hiking
Hours of Operation
Sunday – Thursday: 7:00 am to 3:30 pm (Gate access, Marina operations, and Cafe/Store services)
Friday – Saturday: 5:00 am to 8:00 pm (Gate access, Marina operations, and Cafe/Store services)
The park offers several hiking trails filled with wildlife. Portable toilets are available along the trails for hikers’ convenience. Ornithology enthusiasts will have plenty to observe as the recreation area is home to Duck, geese, eagles, ospreys, hawks, owls, quail and wild turkeys. Rabbits, squirrels and deer also accompany hikers along their journey. Much more allusive coyotes, bobcats, rattlesnakes, and mountain lions also call Pardee their home, but do not enjoy visitors as much as the squirrels so interaction with these animals is highly unlikely.
Visit this site to see the best ranked hiking trails at Pardee and share your opinion too!
https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/california/pardee-recreation-area
Day use areas make up the edge of the lake and have tables and barbecues, perfect for a weekend picnic or a cool down after a hike!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many people in one site? 8 people per single site. Do small children count? Every person counts, regardless of age, even small babies.
How many cars are allowed in 1 site? 2 vehicles are permitted in each single 8-person site. The first vehicle is included in the price of the site, the second vehicle is charged extra.
How many people and cars are allowed in a Double site? 16 people and 4 vehicles. The first 2 vehicles are included in the price of the site, the 3rd and 4th vehicles will be charged extra.
How many tents can I have on my site? 4 regular two-person tents, or 2 large four-person or more tents, can occupy a single 8-person campsite.
What’s included in my RV hook-up site? Included in your RV hook-up site is a fire ring , a picnic table with benches, and hookups for power, sewer, and water to hook into your RV.
My family booked an RV hook-up site. Can I book a site next to them if I am just tent camping? No, there is no tent only camping in an RV site. You can be a second vehicle in their spot if they did not bring a second vehicle and put up your tent in their spot with their RV. Or, you can rent a tent-only camping spot.
Where can I park my boat? You can park your boat in your spot if there is room, we also have a few areas with boat parking. You can also park your boat in the marina if there are proper tags. Can I beach my boat? No. Can I moor my boat? Yes, at your own risk. (Currently there is no boating allowed)
Can I bring my dog? Yes, we allow dogs that are leashed and controlled at all times, but we charge a daily fee for dogs. Are dogs allowed in the water? No.
Do I need to make a reservation for Day Use? No, Day Use is first come, first served, only.
Are there fire pits? Yes, all of our sites have fire rings. Are there grills? Yes, there are grills in the Day Use areas Are there tables? Yes, all of our sites have picnic tables with attached benches.
Are we allowed to have a campfire? Yes, only in designated areas, and in our fire pits, or in one of your own as long as it is at least a foot off of the ground and there is a foot of clean earth surrounding it. Excluding Day Use areas.
Is there shade at my site? A lot of our sites have shade, some do not. Please call a reservationist to get up to date information.
When do I check in and out? Check in for campsites is 2 pm, check out for campsites is 1pm.
Can I swim in the lake? NO, Pardee is a drinking water source, no body contact is allowed. However, there are 2 pools open seasonally for swimming.
Can I park my RV at a dry campsite? Yes, if it fits completely. Will my RV fit in my site? Give your reservationist a call, they have the sizes for the sites.
What’s the longest I can stay in the park? You can only stay for 14 days in a 30-day period. We do have longer stays available through the Property Manager, but only under contract.
I booked my site online. I want to make a change. How do I do that? Go online to your reservation and cancel.
I want to cancel my reservation. What do I need to do? Go online to your reservation and cancel.
I’m renting an RV. Can I have it delivered? Yes, you can have an RV delivered, however, the delivery driver will need to fill out a form and leave a $200 security deposit that will be refunded upon the RV leaving the site on time.
What is the lake level? You can visit http://www.EBMUD.com to find out the lake level daily and to find the in/out flow of water from Pardee Lake and to the Mokelumne River. Search for Daily Water Report.
Can I bring my golf cart? Yes, if it is currently registered. Can I bring my motorcycle? Yes, if it is currently registered. Can I ride my bicycle? Yes.
Note: If you bring a golf cart or motorcycle into the park, it will be counted as a vehicle in the count of your campsite.
Can I launch a 2-stroke vessel? No. Currently, no vessel can be launched.
How do I find out more about living at Lake Pardee? Call our Property Manager. What do I need to do to apply? You will have to fill out an application.
What is there to do at Lake Pardee? At Lake Pardee we allow fishing and camping. There are 2 pools for swimming (1 for adults and 1 for children), horseshoe pits, and hiking trails. Are there events or activities? Check our website for up-to-date information.
I have more cars coming than are allowed in the site. Is there overflow parking? No, there is no overflow parking at Lake Pardee. If you bring more cars than are allowed at your site, you will need to purchase another campsite.
Are there boat slips? Yes, feel free to give the marina a call to see if there are any currently available.
What time do the gates open? Gates open: Sunday – Thursday: 7:00 am | Friday – Saturday: 5:00 am
What time do the gates close? Gates close: Sunday – Thursday: 3:30 pm | Friday – Saturday: 8:00 pm
Pardee Recreation Area is an exceptional place for a camp out, with over 100 sites for tenters and RV campers.
Reservable Camping Areas
Lake View Campground |
Oaks Campground |
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Two separate campgrounds, Oaks and Lake View, allow a camper a large number of sites to choose from, all with a picnic table and fire ring. Ample shade from the oak trees spread through the campgrounds make for plenty of cool sites. Restrooms and shared water spigots available all throughout camping areas and flush toilets, showers and laundry facilities are available closer to the marina of the park.
Lake View campground has sites that provide an exquisite view of the water and has twelve short-term camping full hook-up RV sites. Oaks campground has sites that are a little smaller but are more secluded and present a camping experience full of nature and closer to the woodsy feeling many look for when visiting the wilderness. 3 ADA sites, two for tent camping and one for RV camping, are also available for reservation.
Nightly Boat Slips are available for $10.00 per night.
Please see the rules and regulations sheet for further camping information: Pardee Campground Rules For terms and conditions, please CLICK HERE.
Call 209-763-5121 extension 1 for phone reservations and/or cancellations.
| Site Type | Nightly Rate | Weekly Rate |
| Standard Campsite | $30.00 | $150.00 |
| Premium Campsite | $35.00 | $180.00 |
| Double Campsite | $56.00 | N/A |
| RV Site | $46.00 | $264.00 |
There is a $10.00 NON-REFUNDABLE reservation fee for all reservations made
Seasonal RV Camping
The newly renovated long-term RV park has 56 full hook-up RV sites available for rental of an entire season at the lake. For more information regarding the availability of these sites, please email [email protected]
Monthly: $572.00*
Season: $4,505.00*
Premium Site Season: $4,648.00*
*Site electricity charged separately.
The 300 -foot-deep reservoir is home to many species of fish including: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, kokanee salmon, brown trout, catfish, crappie, bluegill, catfish, and various species of sunfish. Crappie, bluegill and sunfish are great for young anglers.
The large perimeter of the lake allows for plenty of shore fishing in open areas and small coves accessible from a short hike. The fishing dock is also an excellent location for anglers old and young. A fish cleaning station is available for use at the top of the marina.
California State fishing licenses are required for anyone over the age of 16. For youths under 16, the adult accompanying them is required to have a fishing license. Fishing licenses are available for sale at the lake’s marina.
Fishing Access Permits are $7.25 for each guest over 16 years old. 100% of the funds are used to plant Rainbow Trout.
Storage Facilities:
| Weekly | Monthly | Season | Concurrent with season RV Site | |
| Boat Slip | $58.00 | $132.00 | $759.00 | $704.00 |
| Dry Storage | $35.00 | $84.00 | $561.00 | $445.00 |
| Nightly Boat Slip: $12.00 |
| Annual Dry Storage: $737.00 |
In addition to rental boats, the marina provides ice, wood, drinks, groceries, camping and fishing supplies. California State Fishing Licenses are also available.
At the center of the marina is a vast 10 lane launch ramp that allows for a smooth launch into the reservoir for all boaters.
All boats must be surveyed and are subject to inspection before launching to prevent Quagga Mussels invading EBMUD waters. Vessels from Southern California and out-of-state are prohibited from launching on Pardee Reservoir unless they have gone through a decontamination process.
A gas station is located by the marina store.
Boats rentals are available at this time.
| Type | # People (weight dependent) | Deposit | Minimum | Each Add’l Hour | Half Day | All Day |
| 14′ Motor Boat | 3-4 max | $105 | $45/2 hour min | $12 | $85|$110 |
| 16′ Deluxe Boat | 4-5 max | $175 | $78/2 hour min | $20 | $125 | $200 |
| Fishing Pontoon | 7 max | $225 | $150/2 hour min | $25 | $150 | $275 |
| Deluxe Pontoon | 8-10 max | $300 | $120/2 hour min | $45 | $175 | $350 |
| Large Pontoon | 8-10 max | $300 | $120/2 hour min | $45 | $175 | $350 |
| Kayaks, Canoes, Peddle Boats | 1-2 max | $52 | $15/1 hour min | $10 | $60 | $100 |
Senior/Disabled/POW Discount: 50% off all day rate on Non-Holiday Weekdays only. Age 62+