01
Best overall pick
Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail – Camanche–Pardee Segment
North Shore Trailhead • Long-Distance Ridge And Foothill Trail • Local Favorite All-Day Hike
A rolling segment of the Coast to Crest Trail with sweeping views over Lake Camanche and the Mokelumne River country.
This is the flagship hike near Camanche North Shore, with a well-signed trail that quickly leaves the boat ramps behind for quiet oak-studded hills. You can tailor the distance, turning around after a few miles or committing to a longer out-and-back toward Pardee Reservoir. The mix of lake overlooks, open grasslands, and shaded gullies makes it a satisfying choice in any season except the hottest summer afternoons.
02
Best classic watershed loop
Cooks Mesa to Trout Pond
South Shore Recreation Area • Watershed Ranch Road And Mesa Loop • Best Wide-Open Views
A gently undulating route across open mesa country that links Lake Camanche to a quiet Trout Pond tucked into the watershed.
Starting from the South Shore side, this hike follows old ranch roads out onto Cooks Mesa, where the views open over the reservoir and surrounding foothills. The turnaround at Trout Pond adds a quieter, more secluded feel, with birdlife often working the shoreline. Expect mostly sun-exposed walking on a mix of dirt road and singletrack, ideal for cooler days when you want a bigger-feeling landscape without a huge climb.
03
Best easy river walk
James Bar Trail
Below Camanche Dam • Easy Riverside Out-And-Back • Best For Families
A mellow path along the Mokelumne River with big shade trees, easy footing, and plenty of spots to stop and explore.
The James Bar Trail is a go-to option when you want something scenic but not strenuous, especially with kids or mixed-ability groups. It traces the river corridor below Camanche Dam, staying close enough to hear the water while weaving between oaks and cottonwoods. Short access paths lead to gravel bars where you can sit, snack, and watch for herons and jumping fish before heading back the way you came.
04
Best moderate challenge
Rich Gulch Trail
Foothills Above Lake Camanche • Canyon And Oak Woodland Loop • Best Workout Hike
A more rugged loop that dives into a tributary gulch and climbs back out to wide views over the lake and surrounding ranchlands.
Rich Gulch is where the terrain near Camanche starts to feel truly wild, with steeper pitches and a more enclosed, canyonlike feel in places. The trail links up with segments of the Coast to Crest route, giving you options to extend the day if you still have energy in your legs. Come prepared for some sustained climbs, seasonal creek crossings, and rewarding panoramas as you top out on the ridges above the gulch.
05
Best water-and-ridge combo
Pardee Recreation Area Lakeside Trails
Pardee Reservoir Shoreline • Bluff-Top And Shoreline Path Network • Best Birdwatching And Picnics
A cluster of short trails above Pardee Reservoir that mix lake overlooks, shady picnic spots, and good wildlife viewing.
A short drive from Camanche North Shore, the trails at Pardee Recreation Area feel like a quieter cousin to the busier lakefront at Camanche. Paths wander along low bluffs, dipping into coves and popping out at benches and picnic tables with long views up the reservoir. The slower pace invites lingering, and the mix of open water, shoreline oaks, and nearby wetlands often makes this one of the best places in the area to spot raptors, waterfowl, and spring wildflowers on a single walk.